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 Zone and want to install an appliance, you'll require a Defra approved stove. You can identify them by their approved logo from the Defra.
The stoves that are exempt from Defra regulations are designed to stop the fire from smouldering which reduces the amount of smoke that is produced. They also burn fuel better.
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 used for stoves that have been independently tested, and that meet the strictest standards for emissions. Exempt stoves from Defra 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 smoke is controlled. If you install a non-DEFRA-approved stove in a smoke-control area, you'll be in violation of the Clean Air Act and could be prosecuted.
There is little difference from the outside between the one that is Defra approved and one that does not have this status. However, there are a few things that stove manufacturers do to make their products DEFRA exempt. The DEFRA approved stoves have burners that are not designed to deprive fires of oxygen. This could cause them to smolder or create excessive amounts of smoke.
To prevent this, stove makers will usually make an adjustment to the top air vent on a Defra approved stove. This will stop you from being able to shut the vent all the way down, since this will cut off the flow of air to the fire. The adjustment is typically a small screw inside the top front of the stove, underneath the stove's base or on the back of the stove.
Stoves that are exempt from Defra exemption tend to also be multifuel stoves and can be used to burn wood as well as other fuels. This is a great option if you live in an area that is designated as a Smoke Control Zone, but don't want the restriction of only using approved fuels. Some stoves with Defra exemption can also be equipped with five" liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer doesn't demand the larger size). This is great news for people who are planning to install wood-burning stoves in their homes, but are concerned about local regulations on smoke.
What are the benefits of a Defra-Approved Stove?
In addition to ensuring compliance with local regulations and offering warmth and a cozy fire, Defra approved stoves can provide many other advantages. For instance, they are likely to be more efficient than non-Defra approved stoves and therefore reduce the amount of carbon emissions when they are used. This can lead to substantial savings on your heating bills. In addition, Defra approved stoves are typically more user-friendly than non-approved stoves and can be equipped with simple controls.
When buying a wood-burning or multi-fuel stove, there are a variety of various factors to take into account, including your needs for heating, aesthetic preferences, and long-term goals. It is crucial to take these elements into consideration when choosing a stove, and opting for a stove that is exempt from defra is a good option for homeowners living in smoke-free areas. They are eco-friendly and have been thoroughly tested.
Defra-approved stoves are not only compliant with environmental standards but also offer better combustion and spread of flame. This ensures that the fuel burns evenly, resulting in more pleasing and consistent flame. They are also more durable than non Defra approved stoves. This means that they can stand up to higher temperatures and last longer.
Most Defra-approved stoves are compatible with a 5 inch chimney liner, which is ideal for homes in areas with smoke control. However, it is important to be aware that if you are planning to use your stove using damp wood or any other wet fuel, it can produce nuisance smoke and can be a cause for prosecution by the local authority.
To get Defra approval, stove makers are required to make adjustments to the appliance in order to limit how much air it is deprived of during the burning process. Typically, the top air control will be altered to prevent it from being shut completely. Shutting off the air supply to a stove for too long can cause it to smoulder instead of burning properly and result in nuisance 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 burn wood legally in a Smoke Control Area. However, an exempt stove that is not defra-approved isn't. DEFRA stoves installation is because stoves that are Defra approved have been tested to prove they can effectively and safely burn wood in smoke-controlled areas without producing excessive levels of smoke. This means that even if you reside in a smoke control area you can use your new stove without risk of hefty fines.
A Defra approved stove is also more efficient than other kinds of wood-burning stoves which means it will generate more heat and emit less harmful emissions into the atmosphere. This makes them a good option for homeowners seeking to save money and care 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 determine if a stove is Defra-exempt by checking the specifications or the manufacturer's website.
There are many styles available when you choose a Defra-approved stove. Some of these are more traditional and will look beautiful in an old fireplace, or inglenook. Others are more modern in style and would be a great fit for a more contemporary living space.
Also, make sure that the stove you pick is Defra exempt by ensuring that it is on DEFRA's list of approved appliances, or by making sure whether it is stamped with the DEFRA exemption logo. Many manufacturers will market their stoves as Defra exempt even if they have not been tested to demonstrate it. It is much easier to market a Clean Burn stove than to test and go through the cost of becoming Defra exempt.
The stove will be exempt from Defra regulations, ensuring that the wood that is used as fuel for it has been sustainably sourced and properly dried before burning. This will decrease the amount of smoke generated which is healthier for the earth. It also helps keep chimneys clean for longer.
What is the difference between an exempt stove that is Defra-compliant and a non-Defra exempt stove?
You will need to take into consideration various aspects when selecting the best stove for your home. These include the design the heat output, style, and the type of fuel. You might have seen on our website that many wood burning and multi-fuel stoves are DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. This is jargon that to an average homeowner, might appear to be a marketing term. However it is a significant issue for those living in smoke-controlled areas.
To ensure compliance with the laws prohibiting the sale of wood in Smoke Control Areas, Defra exempt wood burners have an internal mechanism that stops you from closing the air supply valve all the way. If you decrease the air flow to the fire too much it can cause the wood to smolder and create smoke. This is in violation of the law. To avoid this, make sure that your wood is dried prior to use in the stove.
You can also make use of the DEFRA exempt wood burner within a Smoke Control Area if you only burn the approved fuels that are listed on the DEFRA website. This includes anthracites, semi-anthracites gas and steam coal with low volatile. If you install a stove that is not DEFRA-compliant in your home and you burn wet wood, or other fuels that aren't on the DEFRA's list, you could be subject to an amount of fine up to PS1000.
Even if you don't reside in an area designated as a Smoke Control Area and you are not in a Smoke Control Area, an DEFRA exempt wood burner is an excellent option since they are usually more environmentally and friendly to neighbours since they operate without creating nuisance smoke. They are also more efficient and will keep your chimney and flue system cleaner for a longer period of time. It is important to know that all new stoves will need to meet the more stringent Ecodesign standards by 2022. These regulations define minimum efficiencies and NOX and OGV ceilings, and emission limits that are higher than the limits currently in place for DEFRA-exempt appliances.
