What is a Defra Log Burner?
The Department for
Defra Recommended Stoves Environment,
DEFRA Recommended Stoves Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) regulates the emission of smoke from wood burning stoves. There are regulations that prohibit chimney smoke from Smoke Control Areas except if you are using an exempt appliance or fuel that is authorised.
The new rules restrict the amount the stove can emit of smoke to 3g/hour. If homeowners fail to adhere to the new rules, they could be fined on the spot. To avoid this, you must only use log burners that have been approved by Defra and burn kiln dried wood marked with the 'Ready To Burn" label.
What is a Defra-approved stove?
A Defra-approved stove is one that has passed the DEFRA test. Therefore, it is exempt from the smoke control laws in areas where wood (and other approved materials) are permitted to be burned. The Defra logo is widely used in the field. Stoves that have been approved by Defra are often marked with SE (Smoke-Exempt) as an easy and quick method to identify them.
Stoves that are Defra Approved have to be tested by the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to ensure that they comply with strict emission standards. These tests are designed to ensure that stoves deliver maximum heat output while generating low levels of smoke emissions. They typically achieve this by ensuring that combustion gases are burned again during the secondary burn. This is important as it allows the combustion to continue efficiently while reducing the amount of combustibles released into the atmospheric air.
DEFRA exempted stoves are eco-friendly since they limit the amount of part-burned combustibles thrown through the chimney. Unlike some stoves that need to close the vents for air to allow them to rest for the night, Defra exempt stoves always keep their flues open, which means they are much less likely to discharge part-burnt combustibles down the chimney, where they may hinder its flow.
You can buy a Defra-approved wood burning stove, regardless of whether you reside in a smoke-free area or not. It will keep your neighbors happy, and keep your chimney clean for a longer time. You can purchase Defra exempt stoves in a range of styles and there are lots of options to suit both modern and traditional homes.
The sleek, minimalist design is a key aspect when choosing a Defra-approved wood burning stove. These stoves are perfect for contemporary living spaces. They can be placed inside a fireplace chamber, inglenook, or they can be a freestanding. There are a number of contemporary stoves like the Aarrow I400 or the minimalist Farringdon that look stunning in any room. You can also find stoves that are Defra-exempt in traditional styles like the Saxon A08E and Arizona A08E.
What is an Defra exempt stove?
A Defra Exempt or Defra Approved Stove is a wood burning stove that has been inspected and approved by the government's DEFRA department to be used in Smoke Control Areas. The Defra stoves have been developed to create a minimum amount of smoke and harmful emissions as well as the highest degree of heat for your home.
You must have a
DEFRA recommended stoves approved stove if you live in a Smoke-Control Area. If you don't, you won't be able legally to install a wood-burning stove or multi-fuel stove that hasn't been approved by DEFRA. You could face severe penalties for installing an unapproved stove in your home.
Defra approved stoves have been able to have their combustion air system adjusted to restrict the amount of oxygen that can be delivered to the wood during the burning process. This is done by modifying the air vent on top. This means that the stove will still allow a small amount of air to pass through even if you shut the vent all the way. This prevents the firewood from being starved of air and stops it from smoldering.
From the outside of an Defra stove you will not be able to tell that it is different from any other wood-burning stove. The unseen combustion air adjustment is usually hidden underneath the stove's base or inside the top of the front of the stove.
Most Defra Stoves are only permitted to burn wood or certain types of smokeless fuels like Homefire brand smokeless charcoal, anthracite and so on. However there are a few of Defra stoves that are multi-fuel-approved and are able to burn a range of different fuels.
You may choose a Defra Stove for various reasons, regardless whether you reside in a smoke-free zone or not. Defra stoves are more sustainable for the surroundings, they produce less smoke and they help keep your chimney free of deposits. They also benefit because they generate more heat and release less toxic gases into the air.
What is an Smoke Control Exempt Stove (SCE)?
A Defra wood-burning stove, also known as a
DEFRA Recommended stoves exempted stove or Defra approved smoke control stove, is a stove which has been tested rigorously by the UK Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs. This test evaluates the amount of smoke and emission levels that the stove is able to produce at all stages of normal operation. Only stoves that pass the Defra tests can be placed in Smoke Control Areas (SCA) in cities and large town.
The test also ensures that the stove can be used with authorised fuels, including smokeless coal and anthracite. A log burner that is Defra-certified is also more environmentally friendly and helps keep neighbors from being annoyed by nuisance emissions.
Defra approved wood burners have had their combustion air control altered, typically in the firebox or on the top of the stove. This modification prevents users from closing the air control completely, since this could cause the stove and cause it to produce excessive amounts of smoke.
To keep a Defra approved stove or one that is exempt from Defra working properly, it should be maintained on a regular basis. This includes cleaning the flue and chimney regularly and ensuring there aren't any obstructions, making sure that the firebox and grate are clean and the flow of air through the chimney unhindered by restrictions.
Although it is not a legal requirement to have a Defra exempt stove, especially in the absence of the Smoke Control Area it is recommended to buy one because they are much more efficient than non-Defra models and will reduce your fuel costs over the long term. Additionally the fact that a Defra approved stove will decrease the amount of smoke and dust that gets into your living space, making it an ideal choice for your health and your neighbors' health.
At Nordpeis we have an extensive selection of DEFRA approved stoves that come in contemporary and traditional designs. Varde retailers can help you determine if your home is located in an area of smoke Control Area.
What is a Clean Burn Technology Stove?
Clean Burn Technology is the
best DEFRA stoves option for stoves and fires, and offers a better quality of burn. This reduces the amount of dust in the air which is healthier for the environment. It also saves money on fuel costs because you get more heat out of the same logs. The stoves are so efficient that they have eliminated the need for chimney sweeps, since there is less soot to be produced. As the leading stove manufacturers create their products they have integrated secondary and tertiary combustion systems that reduce the emissions of the stove and reduce the carbon footprint of their customers.
A stove that is approved by Defra is able to be used not just in Smoke Control Areas but also in a well built, insulated chimney in any home. These wood burning stoves and multi-fuel models are available in a variety of styles to match your taste. There are a variety of choices for traditional and contemporary stoves, in various colours and finishes that will match your decor. These stoves come in various sizes, so you can find one that will fit in the space of your fireplace or inglenook.