Choosing a Defra Approved Woodburner
Defra-approved stoves are becoming more popular. They can aid you in avoiding a significant fine if you reside in a smoke control area and provide other benefits too.
The majority of woodburners that are approved by Defra have an altered top-air control, which prevents the user from closing completely that would cut off oxygen supply to the fire. This stops the fuel from burning or generating smoke.
What is a DEFRA Approved Stove?
It is important that you choose a stove that has been DEFRA-approved when buying an electric or wood burning stove. This means that the stove has passed the rigorous tests conducted by DEFRA. These tests are created to ensure that the stove conforms to the law regarding smoke emission. DEFRA approved stoves emit less smoke than woodburning stoves or multifuel stoves, which is why they are permitted to be utilized in Smoke Control Areas.
A Defra approved stove is also referred to as a Smoke Exempt Stove. In many cases these models will be marked with 'SE' which means Smoke Exempt. This means that the stove has passed a test that was developed by the UK government's DEFRA and the test is designed to measure emission levels and the amount of smoke that is produced in normal operation. Defra Exempt stoves can be used in a Smoke Control Area and can be fitted to a 5 inch chimney liner to facilitate the burning of wood (provided that the manufacturer doesn't insist on a larger diameter) provided that this is in accordance with Building Regulations.
Selecting the Defra approved stove is a good idea even if you don't live in a Smoke Control Area since they tend to be more eco-friendly and neighbor-friendly. They emit less carbon dioxide which can create nuisance smoke in the air. Your flue and chimney will remain cleaner for longer because they can only use dry wood that's not been cut or split in recent times.
Bowland Stoves offers a range of Defra-approved stoves that are available in a variety of styles. These stoves are ideal for those who wish to heat their homes in an environmentally green way. We also have models that are dual-fuel which means you can use stoves to heat your home and produce domestic hot water at the same time.
If you reside in a town or city that has been classified as a Smoke Control Area then you'll need an approved Defra Stove or Smoke Exempt Stove to ensure compliance with the law and avoid paying hefty fines. These stoves have been altered to meet the ultra-low emission standards set out by the UK government. They typically have a second stage of combustion, which ensures that waste products in the form of gases are burned for greater efficiency.
Stoves Approved by Defra Are Eco-friendly
When you choose a DEFRA approved wood-burning stove, you're selecting a source of heat that is not only environmentally responsible but also extremely efficient. This is because the second stage of combustion re-burns the flue gasses which results in a low emission. DEFRA approved stoves can also cut down on costs for energy because they burn fuel more effectively. They are also available in different styles that can be adapted to every style of home from modern to traditional.
Defra approved stoves are also an excellent option for those living in Smoke Control Areas of the UK. These are typically big cities and towns where smoke emissions are a major issue. If you have a DEFRA approved stove in your home, you can still legally burn wood and other disallowed fuels without the risk of having to pay fines.
The top DEFRA approved stoves also have a range of additional eco-friendly features to further reduce their environmental impact. A majority of our stoves, for example they are SIA Ecodesign-compliant and come with a sophisticated cleanburn system that maximises the efficiency of combustion while decreasing emissions. They also have an airwash system to keep the glass clear so you can enjoy a clear view of your fireplace, and they're multi-fuel which means you can burn a broad range of fuels.
A DEFRA approved stove also provides the minimum amount oxygen needed for the wood to burn. This means that the wood won't ignite or release excessive smoke, which is particularly important in Smoke Control Area as this can cause fines.
Aside from the benefits of being able to use a wood-burning stove in a Smoke Control Area, DEFRA approved stoves are more sustainable for the environment and more importantly, for your health. This is due to the fact that ultra-fine particulate (PM2.5) can get deep into the lungs and form a part of the pollution caused by solid fuels such as wood. This can trigger a range of adverse side effects, such as asthma symptoms and a feeling of being sick.
Stoves Approved by Defra Are Neighbour Friendly
A DEFRA approved stove is a must when you reside in a smoke-free zone since it allows you to burn wood as well as a range of other authorised smokeless fuels. They can pass rigorous emissions tests that limit the amount of fumes they emit when they are in normal operation. If you are using a non-DEFRA approved stove in a smoke-controlled area, you risk breaking the law and being hit with a hefty fine.
A Defra-approved stove is also more eco-friendly and friendly to neighbors. They don't emit any nuisance smoke, and if properly maintained, they will last for a prolonged time. This will keep your chimney and flue clean for a longer time.
Manufacturers are always improving their clean-burning technology and new stoves include various new features that help them become more eco-friendly. They include advanced secondary and third-generation combustion systems, which work to ensure all combustible gasses are used up. This results in an efficient burning process that reduces emissions as well as waste products.
A DEFRA-approved cooktop will also have a higher rate of burning, which means less fuel is wasted and more used. This makes them more efficient than earlier models and results in cost savings for homeowners.
Defra-approved stoves are more eco sustainable than open flames and log burners. They release significantly less carbon dioxide emissions than fossil fuels, which helps to contribute towards the UK's climate change targets. In fact burning DEFRA approved stoves homeowners can reduce their CO2 emissions by nearly a fifth.
A DEFRA approved appliance will also typically achieve extremely low levels of emissions, which are much lower than Ecodesign standards. In 2022, new stoves will be required to comply with the Ecodesign regulations which set minimum efficiencies, introduce NOX and OGV ceilings (not currently in place) and emission limits for all wood-burning appliances which will be much stricter than the DEFRA Exempt ceiling that currently applies.
Smoke Exemption for Stoves Approved by the Defra
It is essential to ensure that your new wood stove is Defra exempt if you are planning to live in or move to a Smoke Controlled Area. The law forbids the emission of smoke from a wood stove, unless it is burning an approved fuel. If you burn an unapproved fuel in a Smoke Controlled Area, you could be punished up to PS1000.
A Defra exempt stove is a wood burning multi-fuel stove that has been tested and cleared the Defra (Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) regulations. Defra is the UK government department that oversees all policies and regulations related to the environment, rural issues and food.
Manufacturers of stoves make models that are DEFRA-approved as well as non-DEFRA. The distinction is that a DEFRA approved stove is modified to stop the air vents from being closed down. This stops the stove from sleeping, which is the term used to describe when stoves reopen their air vents at night, allowing the fuel to to burn slowly. This reopening causes the combustibles that are partially burned to be sent out into the room as black smoke.
Many people are confused about whether a stove that isn't DEFRA-approved can be installed in a Smoke Controlled area. You can use it legally, but only if you are burning the list of Defra approved fuels. fireplacesandstove.com is available on the government website. Unfortunately, wood isn't included on this list so if you'd like to be capable of burning wood in your new stove, you'll need an DEFRA approved stove.
A DEFRA exempted stove is more efficient than stoves that are not DEFRA approved. DEFRA approved stoves are built to burn more fuel. This means that you will be able to extract more heat from your logs or other forms of wood, which in turn will lower your heating expenses.
Even though a DEFRA-approved stove is superior to stoves that are not DEFRA-approved in terms of efficiency, it still needs to be maintained properly to ensure it continues to work efficiently. This includes cleaning the flue, cleaning the firebox and checking that the chimney is free of obstructions.