Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner
Smoke Control Areas are the most popular classification for UK cities and towns. If you reside in a Smoke Control Zone and want to install an appliance, you'll require a Defra approved stove. You can recognise them by their Defra approved logo.
The stoves that are not subject to Defra have been designed to stop the fire from smoldering. This reduces the amount of smoke. They also burn fuel more efficiently.
What is a 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 strict criteria on emissions. The stoves that are Defra Exempt are safe for use in Smoke Control Areas.
You can't burn wood without a DEFRA approved stove when you live in an area where smoke is controlled. Installing an non DEFRA approved stove within the smoke control zone is a violation of the Clean Air Act. You could be prosecuted.
There is no difference on the outside between a Defra approved and one that does not have this status. There are a few ways that stove manufacturers can do to ensure that their products are exempt from DEFRA. The most obvious difference is that the burners on the DEFRA approved stove are made not to deprive the fire of oxygen as this can cause it to smoulder and produce excessive amounts of smoke.
To stop this from happening manufacturers will adjust the top air vent of a stove that is Defra-approved. This will stop you from closing the vent all the way down, as this would cut off the supply of air to the fire. The adjustment is usually a small screw inside the top of the stove, below the base of the stove or on the back of the stove.
Stoves that have 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 reside in an area which is designated as a Smoke Control Zone and you don't want the restriction of only using approved fuels. Certain stoves that are exempt from Defra exemptions can be fitted with five" liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer doesn't insist on larger dimensions). This is great news for those looking to install woodburning stoves but are concerned about local regulations regarding smoke.
What are the advantages of a Defra approved stove?
In addition to ensuring compliance with local regulations and offering an inviting fire for the winter months, Defra approved stoves can provide a variety of other advantages. They are typically more energy efficient than non-Defra stoves and can reduce the amount of carbon emissions produced. This can lead to significant savings on your heating bills. In visit this link , Defra approved stoves are typically more user-friendly than non-approved stoves and can be fitted with simple controls.
There are a lot of things to take into consideration when purchasing a wood-burning stove or multi-fuel stove. This includes your heating requirements, aesthetic preferences, and long-term goals. When choosing a stove it is important to consider these factors. A defra-exempt stove can be ideal for those who live in smoke-free areas. These stoves are environmentally friendly and have been thoroughly tested.

In addition to meeting environmental standards, Defra approved stoves are also designed to offer superior combustion and flame distribution. This ensures that the fuel burns evenly, resulting in a more pleasant and consistent flame. They are also more durable than non Defra approved stoves. This means that they can withstand higher temperatures and last longer.
Most Defra-approved stoves are compatible to use a 5 " liner for chimneys, which is ideal for homes in smoke-controlled areas. However it is crucial to keep in mind that if you intend to use your stove with damp wood or any other wet fuel, this will still cause smoke nuisance and possibly result in a being prosecuted by the local authority.
To get Defra approval stove manufacturers have to modify their appliances to restrict the amount of air that will be lost during the burning process. The top air control is usually altered to stop the complete closure. If you close the air supply too much it could cause the stove to smolder instead of properly burning. This can lead to nuisance smoke.
What is the difference between a Defra-approved stove and a non-Defra certified stove?
A stove that is approved by defra will let you burn wood legally in a Smoke Control Area. However, a nondefra-exempt stove will not. This is because stoves that have been Defra approved have been tested to show they can safely and effectively burn wood in smoke controlled areas without producing excessive levels of smoke. If you reside in a region that is smoke controlled then you can make use of your new stove without fear of fines.
A stove that is Defra-approved is more efficient in terms of energy consumption than other types, producing more heat and emitting less harmful emissions into the atmosphere. This makes them a good option for homeowners looking to save money and are concerned about the environment.
Stoves that have been Defra approved are usually advertised with the Defra Approved logo which is well-known and has been adopted by the stove industry. You can also find out whether a stove has been Defra-exempt by checking the specifications or visiting the website of the manufacturer.
When choosing a Defra approved stove, it is important to consider the style you want as there are many different choices to choose from. Some are more traditionally styled and will look beautiful in an old fireplace or inglenook. Other stoves are more contemporary and will be ideal for a modern living space.
Check that the stove is Defra-exempt. It should be listed on the DEFRA list of approved appliances, or bear the DEFRA logo. Many manufacturers will market their stoves as being Defra exempt even if they haven't been tested to prove that they are. This is due to the fact that it is much easier to sell a stove that has the Clean Burn technology than to test it and then spend the time and expense to undergo the process of becoming Defra exempt.
The stove will be exempt from Defra regulations, ensuring that the wood that is used as fuel for it is sourced sustainably and properly dried before burning. This means it is less likely to generate large amounts of smoke, which is beneficial to the environment, and also helps to keep chimneys and flue systems cleaner for longer.
What is the difference between a Defra Exempt Stove and A Non-Defra Exempt Stove?
When it comes to selecting the ideal stove for your home, there is a lot of information that you will need to be aware of, including the design, heat output and the type of fuel. You may have noticed that many of the wood-burning and multi fuel stoves that are available on our site are listed as DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. This is jargon that for the average homeowner may seem like a marketing term. However it is a significant issue for those living in smoke-free areas.
To comply with the laws against the sale of logs within Smoke Control Areas Defra exempted wood burners have an internal mechanism that prevents you from closing the air supply valve completely. If you decrease the air flow to the fire in excess it can cause the wood to smoke and create smoke. This is against the law. To avoid this make sure that the wood is dried thoroughly before you use it in the stove.
You can also make use of a DEFRA exempt wood burner within a Smoke Control Area if you only use approved fuels listed on the DEFRA website. This includes anthracites and semi-anthracites as well as gas and steam coal that is low volatile. However, if you choose to fit a non-DEFRA approved stove in your home and burn wet wood or any other fuels that aren't listed on the DEFRA list, then you could be fined up to PS1000.
Even if you don't live in the Smoke Control Area a DEFRA exempted wood stove is still an excellent choice. They are more eco friendly and neighbor-friendly since they operate without producing nuisance smoke. They also have higher efficiency, and will keep your chimney system and flue cleaner for longer. It is important to remember that all new stoves must to comply with the stricter Ecodesign standards by 2022. These regulations set minimum efficiency levels, NOX and OGV ceilings, and emissions limits that are significantly higher than the limits in place today for DEFRA-exempt appliances.