Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner
Smoke Control Areas are the most popular classification for UK towns and cities. If you reside in a Smoke Control Area and are looking to install a stove, you will require a Defra approved stove. You can recognise them by their Defra approved logo.
The stoves which are exempt from Defra are designed to stop the fire from smouldering. This reduces the amount of smoke. They also burn fuel more efficiently.
What is what is a Defra Exempt Stove?
A Defra Exempt stove is a wood burning domestic heating appliance that has passed the tests laid out 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. Exempt stoves from Defra can be used in Smoke Control Areas.
You can't burn wood without a DEFRA approved stove when you live in an area where smoking is controlled. If you install a non-DEFRA approved stove in a smoke control area you will be in breach of the Clean Air Act and could face prosecution.
There is not much difference from the outside of the one that is
defra burning mdf approved and one that does not have this status. There are a few ways stove manufacturers can do to make their appliances exempt from DEFRA. The DEFRA approved stoves have burners that are not designed to starve fires of oxygen. This can cause them to smoke or produce excessive amounts smoke.
To prevent this manufacturers will adjust the air vent at the top of a Defra-approved stove. This will prevent the possibility of shutting the vent completely since this could cut off the air supply to the fire. The adjustment is usually a small screw inside the top front of the stove, below the stove's base or on the back of the stove.
Stoves that are exempt from
DEFRA lawful stoves exemption tend to also be multifuel stoves that can be used to burn wood as well as other fuels. This can be a great alternative for
DEFRA certified Stoves those who live in areas that are designated as Smoke Control Areas, but who do not want to limit their usage to only authorised fuels. Certain stoves that are Defra Exempt are also able to be equipped with five" chimney liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer does not insist on the use of a larger size). This is great news for those who are planning on installing woodburning stoves in their homes but are worried about local regulations on smoke.
What are the benefits of a Defra-Approved Stove?
In addition to ensuring compliance with local regulations and offering a warm cosy fire, Defra approved stoves can provide many other advantages. For instance, they are likely 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 costs. Defra-approved stoves are also easier to use and have easier controls than non-approved ones.
There are a lot of things to consider when buying a wood-burning stove or multi-fuel stove. This includes your heating needs and aesthetic preferences, and your long-term goals. It is crucial to take these elements into consideration when choosing the right stove, and opting for a defra-exempt stove is a good option for those living in areas that are smoke-free. These stoves are eco-friendly and have been tested rigorously.
Aside from being environmentally friendly, Defra approved stoves are also designed to offer 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 they can stand up to higher temperatures and last for longer.
Most Defra-approved stoves are compatible to use a 5 " liner for chimneys, which is ideal for homes in areas that are smoke-free. It is essential to remember that if you plan to use your stove with damp wood or other fuels with dampness, it will still produce nuisance fumes and could cause a charge from the local authority.
In order to achieve Defra approval, stove makers are required to make adjustments to the appliance to limit the amount of air it can be starved of during the burning process. The top air control is usually altered to stop the complete closing. If you shut off the air supply too much it can cause the stove to smoke 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 approved stove?
The most obvious difference is that a defra certified stove will allow you to legally burn wood in a Smoke Control Area, whereas a non-defra exempt stove will not be able to. Stoves that are Defra-approved have passed the tests to prove that they are able to burn wood safely and efficiently in smoke-controlled areas without producing excessive quantities of smoke. If you reside in a region which is smoke-free then you can use your new stove with no 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 atmosphere. This makes them a good option for homeowners looking to save money and care about the environment.
Stoves that are Defra approved will typically be advertised with the Defra Approved logo which is well-known and has been adopted by the stove industry. You can also determine whether a stove is Defra exempt by looking up the specifications or the website of the manufacturer.
When choosing a Defra approved stove, it is essential to think about the style that you require because there are a variety of options available. Some are more traditional and look beautiful in an old fireplace chamber, or inglenook. Others are more modern and would be a great fit for a more contemporary living space.
You should also make sure that the stove you choose is Defra exempt by ensuring that it is on DEFRA's list of authorised appliances or
defra Certified Stoves by ensuring whether it is stamped with the DEFRA exemption logo. Many manufacturers will claim that their stoves are Defra exempt, even though they haven't been tested. It is much easier to market a Clean Burn stove than to test it and incur the cost of becoming Defra exempt.
A stove that is Defra exempt will guarantee that the wood used to power it is sourced sustainably that has been properly seasoned, dried and seasoned before being burned. This will reduce the amount of smoke produced which is healthier for the earth. It also helps keep chimneys clean for longer.
What is the Difference Between a Defra Exempt Stove and A Non-Defra Exempt Stove?
When it comes to selecting the best stove for your home, there is many factors you should take into consideration, including style, heat output and fuel type. You might have noticed that a lot of the wood burning and multi fuel stoves available on our site are described as being DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. This jargon, to the average homeowner may seem to be nothing more than a term used to sell products but it has extremely important implications for those living in smoke-free areas.
To be in compliance with the laws prohibiting the sale of wood within Smoke Control Areas Defra exempted wood burners have an internal mechanism that stops you from closing down the air supply valve completely. If you reduce the flow of air to the fire in excess it will cause the wood to smoulder and create smoke. This is in violation of the law. To prevent this from happening ensure 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 a Smoke Control Area, if you only use the approved fuels listed on the DEFRA site. These include anthracite, semi-anthracite and gas as well as low volatile steam coal.