Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner

Smoke Control Areas are the most popular classification for UK towns and cities. If you live in a Smoke Control Area and are looking to install a stove, Defra certified stoves you will need a Defra approved stove. You can identify them through their Defra-approved logo.

The stoves which are exempt from Defra are designed to prevent the fire from burning. This reduces the amount produced of smoke. They also burn fuel better.

What is an Defra exempt stove?

A Defra Exempt Stove is a wood-burning domestic heating appliance which has passed the tests set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Defra Exempt Label is only available to stoves that have been independently tested and meet strict criteria regarding emissions. Defra exempt stoves are able to be used in Smoke Control Areas.

You cannot burn wood without a DEFRA approved stove if you live in an area where smoking is controlled. Installing a non DEFRA approved stove in the smoke control zone is an infraction of the Clean Air Act. You could be charged.

There is not much difference from the outside between an appliance that is Defra approved stove and one that doesn't have this status. There are a few things stove manufacturers can do to make their stoves exempt from DEFRA. The DEFRA approved stoves come with burners that are not designed to starve the fires of oxygen. This could cause them to smoke or emit excessive amounts of smoke.

To stop this from happening manufacturers will alter the top vent of a stove that is Defra-approved. This will prevent you from closing the vent completely down as this would cut the air supply to the fire. The adjustment is usually an insignificant screw located inside the front of the stove, below the base of stove or at the rear of the oven.

Stoves that have Defra exemptions can also be multifuel stoves, and can be used to burn wood, as well as other fuels. This is a great choice if you reside in an area that is designated as a Smoke Control Area and you don't want the restrictions of only using authorised fuels. Certain stoves that are Defra Exempt are also able to be equipped with a 5" chimney liner when burning wood (if the manufacturer does not insist on the use of a larger size). This is good news for those who plan on installing woodburning stoves in their homes, but are concerned about the local regulations regarding smoke.

What are the advantages of a Defra approved stove?

In addition to being compliant with local regulations and providing warmth and a cozy fire, Defra approved stoves can provide a variety of other advantages. For example, they tend to have higher energy efficiency than non-Defra certified stoves and consequently reduce the amount of carbon emissions when they are used. This can result in significant savings on your heating bill. Additionally, Defra approved stoves are generally more user-friendly than non-approved stoves and can be fitted with simple controls.

When you are looking to purchase a wood-burning or multi-fuel stove, there are many various factors to take into account, such as your heating requirements, aesthetic preferences, and long-term goals. It is crucial to take these aspects into consideration when selecting the right stove, and opting for a defra exempt stove is a good option for those living in smoke controlled areas. These stoves have been rigorously tested and are in compliance with strict environmental guidelines and can help to minimise the impact that your stove can have on the environment.

Apart from complying with environmental standards, Defra approved stoves are also designed to provide better combustion and flame spread. This ensures that the fuel is burned evenly and creates a pleasant, consistent flame. They are also more durable than non Defra approved stoves. This means that they can stand up to higher temperatures and last for longer.

Additionally to this, the majority of Defra approved stoves can be used with a 5 inch chimney liner, which is ideal for homes in smoke controlled areas. However it is crucial to keep in mind that if you intend on using your stove with damp wood or any other wet fuel, this will still cause smoke nuisance and potentially lead to being prosecuted by the local authority.

To get Defra approval, stove manufacturers must make modifications to their appliances to limit the amount of air that could be lost during the burning process. Typically the air control on top will be altered to prevent it from being closed completely. If you shut off the air supply too much it can cause the stove to smolder instead of properly burning. This will lead to an unpleasant smell of smoke.

What is the difference between a Defra-approved stove and a non-Defra certified stove?

A stove that has been approved by the defra can let you to legally burn wood in a Smoke Control Area. However, an exempt stove that is not defra-approved isn't. Stoves that are approved by Defra have passed tests that prove they can safely burn wood and effectively in smoke-controlled areas without producing excessive amounts of smoke. If you reside in an area which is smoke-free you can use your new stove without the risk of penalties.

A Defra approved stove is also more efficient than other kinds of wood-burning stoves, meaning that it will produce more heat and release less harmful emissions into the air. This makes them a good option for homeowners looking to save money on heating costs and are concerned about the environment.

Stoves which have been Defra-approved will be advertised with the Defra Approved Logo, which has been adopted by stove manufacturers. You can also find out if a stove is Defra exempt by looking at the specifications or checking on the manufacturers website for more details about it.

When selecting a Defra approved stove, it is important to consider the style you want because there are a variety of choices to choose from. Some are more traditional and look gorgeous in an old fireplace, or inglenook. Others are more modern in style and will look great in a contemporary living space.

Verify that the stove is Defra exempt. It should be on the DEFRA approved high-quality stoves list of authorized appliances, or have the DEFRA logo. Many manufacturers will market their stoves as being Defra exempt, even though they haven't been tested to show that they are. This is because it is easier to sell a stove that has the Clean Burn technology than to test it and spend the time and expense to go through the process of becoming Defra exempt.

A stove that has been Defra exempt will make sure that the wood that is used to fuel it is sourced sustainably, seasoned and dried properly before it is burned. This reduces the amount of smoke produced, which is healthier for the earth. It also helps keep chimneys clean for a longer time.

What is the difference between an exempt stove that is Defra-compliant and a non-Defra exempt stove?

When you are deciding on the ideal stove for your home, there is many factors you must consider, such as design, heat output and the type of fuel. You might have noticed that many of the wood burning and multi fuel stoves available on our website are described as DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. This is jargon that, for the average homeowner may seem like a marketing phrase. However it is a significant issue for those who live in areas that are smoke-free.

To ensure compliance with the laws that prohibit the sale of wood in Smoke Control Areas, Defra exempt wood burners are designed with an internal mechanism that stops you from closing the air supply valve completely. This is because if you reduce the air flow to the fire too much the wood will begin to smoulder and produce excess smoke, which will be in violation of the law. To avoid this, make sure that your wood is dried thoroughly before you put it in the stove.

You can also make use of an exempt DEFRA wood burner in an Smoke Control Area, if you only use approved fuels on the DEFRA website. This includes anthracites, semi-anthracites, gas, and low volatile steam coal. However, if you choose to install a non-DEFRA certified stove in your home and burn wet wood or other fuels that are not on the DEFRA list, then you could be fined up to PS1000.

Even if you're not in a Smoke Control Area a DEFRA exempted wood burner is still an excellent choice. They are more eco friendly and neighbor-friendly since they operate without producing nuisance smoke. They are also more efficient and will keep your chimney and flue system cleaner for longer. However, it should be noted that in 2022 all new stoves must meet the more stringent Ecodesign regulations that set minimum efficiencies OGV and NOX ceilings and have emissions limits that are much more than the ones currently in place for DEFRA exempt appliances.