Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner

The majority of UK cities and towns are classified as Smoke Control Areas so if you reside in one and would like to install a wood burner then you'll need a Defra exempt stove. You can recognise them by their Defra approved logo.

Defra exempt stoves are built to stop the fire from smouldering which reduces the amount of smoke produced. They also burn fuel more efficiently.

What is an Defra Exempt Stove?

A Defra Exempt stove is a wood burning domestic heating appliance that has passed the tests set out by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Defra Exempt label is applied to stoves that have been independently tested and meet the strict criteria for emissions. Defra exempt stoves can be used in Smoke Control Areas.

If you live in a smoke control zone, you must have an DEFRA approved stove since you cannot legally burn wood (unless you are authorised to burn fuel) without one. Installing an non DEFRA approved stove in a smoke control zone is an infraction of the Clean Air Act. You could be charged.

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

To avoid this manufacturers will adjust the top air vent of a stove that is Defra-approved. This will stop you from closing the vent completely down, as this will cut off the flow of air to the fire. The adjustment is often an incredibly small screw located on the top of the stove, beneath the stove's base or on the back of the stove.

Stoves that are Defra Exempt can also be multifuel stoves and may therefore be used to burn other kinds of fuels along with wood. This is a great choice if you reside in an area that is designated as a Smoke Control Area, but don't want to be restricted to only using fuels that are approved. Some stoves that have Defra exemption can also be equipped with a 5" liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer doesn't demand larger dimensions). This is a great benefit for those who plan on installing wood-burning stoves into their homes but are worried about their local smoke regulations.

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 also offer many other benefits. For example, they tend to have higher energy efficiency than non-Defra approved 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 typically more user-friendly than non-approved stoves and may be fitted with simple controls.

There are a lot of things to take into consideration when purchasing a wood-burning stove or multi-fuel. This includes your heating requirements and aesthetic preferences and your long-term goals. When selecting a stove, it is important to consider these factors. A stove that is defra-exempt is a great choice for homeowners who live in areas that are smoke-free. These stoves are eco-friendly and have been thoroughly tested.

Apart from complying with environmental standards, Defra approved stoves are also designed to provide superior combustion and flame spread. This ensures that the fuel burns evenly and produces a pleasant, consistent flame. Additionally, they tend to be more durable than non-Defra certified stoves, which means they last longer and can stand up to higher temperatures.

In addition, most Defra approved stoves work with a 5" chimney liner, which is perfect for homes located in smoke-free areas. It is important to remember that if you plan to use your stove with damp wood or DEFRA regulations Stoves other fuels with dampness the stove will still emit toxic fumes that could lead to prosecution from the local authority.

To get Defra approval stove manufacturers must make modifications to their appliances to limit the amount of air that will be removed during the combustion process. The air control at the top is usually altered to prevent the complete closure. If you close the air supply too much it could cause the stove to smolder instead of burning properly. This can lead to an unpleasant smell of smoke.

What is the Difference Between an approved Defra Stove and a Non-DEFRA recognized stoves Approved Stove?

The most obvious distinction is that a defra approved stove will allow you to legally burn wood in a Smoke Control Area, whereas a non-defra exempted stove won't. Stoves that are approved by Defra have passed the tests to prove that they can safely burn wood and effectively in smoke-controlled areas without producing excessive quantities of smoke. If you live in an area which is smoke-free you can use the new stove without fear of penalties.

A Defra approved stove is also more efficient than other types of wood-burning stoves meaning that it will produce more heat and release less harmful emissions into the atmosphere. This makes them a good choice for homeowners who want to save money on heating bills and who are concerned about the environment.

Stoves that have been Defra approved will typically be advertised with the Defra Approved logo which is well-known and is widely used by the stove industry. You can also find out if a stove is Defra exempt by reading the specifications or visiting the manufacturer's website for more details about the stove.

When you are choosing a Defra approved stove, it is essential to think about the style that you require since there are a myriad of options available. Some are more traditionally styled and look great in an old fireplace chamber or inglenook, while others are more contemporary and will suit a contemporary living space.

Verify that the stove is Defra exempt. It should be listed on the DEFRA list of authorized appliances, or have the DEFRA logo. Many manufacturers will market their stoves as DEFRA Regulations stoves exempt, even though they have not been tested to demonstrate that they are. It is much easier to market a Clean Burn stove than to test and go through the cost of becoming Defra exempt.

A stove that is Defra exempt will make sure that the wood used to power it is sustainably sourced, seasoned and dried properly before it is burned. This will decrease the amount of smoke generated, which is better for the environment. It also helps keep chimneys clean for longer.

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

When you are deciding on the best stove for your home, there is a lot of information that you must be aware of, including the design, heat output and fuel type. You might have seen on our website that a lot of wood burning and multi-fuel stoves are DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. This is jargon which, to an average homeowner, could appear to be a commercial phrase. However it is a significant issue for those living in smoke-free areas.

To ensure compliance with the laws that prohibit the sale of logs within Smoke Control Areas Defra exempted wood burners have an internal mechanism which prevents you from closing down the air supply valve completely. This is because if you cut the flow of air to the fire too much the wood will begin to smolder and DEFRA Regulations Stoves release excessive smoke, which would be in violation of the law. To avoid this make sure that the wood is dried thoroughly prior to use in the stove.

You can also use an exempt DEFRA wood burner in an Smoke Control Area, if you only use approved fuels listed on the DEFRA website. These include anthracite, semi-anthracite and gas as well as steam coal with low volatile. If you install a non-DEFRA stove in your home and use wet wood or other fuels that are not on DEFRA's list, you could face penalties of up to PS1000.

Even if you do not live in a Smoke Control Area a DEFRA exempted wood burner is a good option. They are more eco friendly and neighbor-friendly as they can operate without producing nuisance smoke. They are also more efficient and will keep your chimney and flue system clean for a longer period of time. However, it should be noted that by 2022 all new stoves have to meet the stricter Ecodesign regulations which set minimum efficiency, OGV and NOX ceilings and have emissions limits that are significantly higher than those currently in place for DEFRA exempt appliances.