Choosing a Defra Approved Woodburner
Defra-approved stoves are becoming more popular. They can aid you in avoiding a significant fine if you live in a smoke-free zone and also provide other benefits too.
Most Defra approved woodburner will have a modified top air control that stops you closing it completely down which would cut off the oxygen supply to the fire. This prevents the fuel from burning or producing smoke.
What is an DEFRA approved stove?
When you are buying a woodburning or multi fuel stove, it is essential to select one that has been DEFRA approved as this means it has passed stringent tests developed by the Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). These tests are designed to ensure that the product is compliant with the laws governing smoke emission. DEFRA approved stoves emit less smoke than woodburning stoves and multifuel stoves, which is the reason they are permitted to be used in Smoke Control Areas.
A Defra approved stove is also known as a Smoke Exempt Stove and in many instances, these models will be marked with the letter 'SE', which is a reference to Smoke Exempt. This signifies that the stove has passed a test designed by DEFRA the UK government. The test measures the emission levels and the amount of smoke generated in normal operation. Defra Exempt stoves can be used in a Smoke Control Area and are often equipped with a 5 inch chimney liner for the burning of wood (provided that the manufacturer does not insist on a larger diameter) provided that this is in accordance with Building Regulations.
Selecting a Defra approved stove can be an excellent option even if you don't live in a Smoke Control Area since they tend to be more environmentally and neighbor-friendly. They produce less emissions, which can lead to a nuisance smell in the air. Your flue and chimney will remain cleaner for longer because they can only use dry wood that is not cut or split recently.
Bowland Stoves offers a range of Defra-approved stoves that are available in a number of designs. These stoves are ideal for those who wish to heat their homes in an environmentally sustainable manner. We also have a selection of stoves that have dual fuel so you can use them to heat your home as well as producing domestic hot water simultaneously.
If you reside in a city or town classified as a smoke control area, you may need to use a Defra approved stove or a smoke exempt stove to ensure that you are in compliance with the laws and avoid hefty penalties. The stoves have been redesigned to meet the ultra-low emissions standards that are set out by the UK government and they will often have a second phase of combustion, which ensures that the waste products in the form of gasses are re burned to increase efficiency.
Defra Approved Stoves Are Eco-Friendly
When you choose a DEFRA approved wood burning stove you are selecting a source of heat that is not just environmentally responsible, but also extremely efficient. This is because the second phase of combustion re-burns flue gases which results in a low emission. DEFRA approved stoves are also cost-effective because they burn fuel more efficiently, thus reducing the cost of energy in the long term. They are also available in various styles to suit every style of home from contemporary to traditional.
Smoke Control Areas in the UK are another great location to purchase Defra-approved stoves. These are generally large towns and cities where smoke emissions can be a problem. You can burn wood or other fuels that are not allowed in your home and not risk fines if you use an approved DEFRA stove.
The most stoves that are DEFRA-approved come with a variety of eco-friendly features to further reduce their environmental impact. A majority of our stoves, for instance that are SIA Ecodesign compliant and feature an advanced cleanburn system that increases combustion efficiency while decreasing emissions. The stoves also feature an airwash system that ensures the glass is clear so that you can enjoy your fire. They can be multi-fuel, which means you can use a variety of fuels.
Another way that a DEFRA approved stove is environmentally friendly is because they are designed to provide the minimum amount of oxygen to allow the wood to burn correctly. This means that the wood will not smoulder or emit excess smoke, which is especially important in a Smoke Control Area since this could cause fines.
Apart from the advantages of being able to use a wood burning stove in a Smoke Control Area, DEFRA approved stoves are better for the environment, and more importantly, for your health. This is because a large portion of the air pollution resulting from solid fuels, like wood, is ultra-fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can penetrate deeply into the lung. This can result in adverse side effects like asthma symptoms or a feeling of unwellness.
Stoves Approved by Defra Are Neighbour Friendly
If you reside in an area where smoke is controlled the DEFRA-approved stove is required. It will allow you to burn wood and other smokeless fuels. They are able pass strict emissions tests which restrict the amount of fumes they release when they are in normal operation. If you are using a non-DEFRA approved stove in a smoke controlled area, you risk violating the law and getting penalized with a huge fine.
A stove that is approved by Defra is more environmentally friendly and neighbor-friendly. They don't produce any noxious smoke, and if properly maintained they will run for a long period of time. This will keep your chimney and flue hygienic for a longer time.
Manufacturers are always improving their clean-burning technology and new stoves include various innovative features to improve their eco-friendly qualities. This includes advanced secondary and secondary combustion systems that work to ensure that all the gases that ignite are completely consumed. This leads to an efficient burn which reduces emissions as well as waste.
A DEFRA-approved stove will also have a higher rate of burning which means less fuel is wasted and more is used. DEFRA approved wood burning stoves makes them much more efficient than earlier stoves, and results in cost savings for the homeowner.
Defra-approved stoves are more environmentally friendly than open fires and log burners. They release less carbon dioxide than fossil fuels, which helps aid in the UK's climate change targets. By burning DEFRA-approved stoves, homeowners can cut their CO2 emissions up to a fifth.
A DEFRA approved appliance can typically achieve extremely low emission levels that are lower than Ecodesign requirements. In 2022 new stoves will be required to comply with the Ecodesign regulations, which establish minimum efficiency levels, and introduce ceilings for OGV and NOX (not currently in place) and emission limits for ALL woodburning appliances that will be stricter than the DEFRA Exempt ceiling that currently applies.
Defra Approved Stoves Are Smoke Exempt
It is crucial to verify that your wood stove is Defra-exempt if you reside or plan to move to an area that is a Smoke Controlled Area. The law forbids the emission of smoke from a wood burner unless it is burning a certified fuel. If you use an unapproved fuel in a Smoke Controlled Zone and you are punished to the tune of PS1000.
A Defra-exempt stove can be described as a multi-fuel wood stove that has been approved by the Defra regulations (Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs). Defra is the UK department of the government that is responsible for all policies and regulations relating to rural issues, the environment and food.
Stove manufacturers produce both DEFRA approved and non-DEFRA stoves. The difference 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 a stove re-opens its air vents at night, allowing the fuel to to burn slowly. The reopening of the vents causes the combustibles which have been partially burned to go out into the room as black smoke.
Many people are in confusion about whether a non DEFRA approved stove is allowed to be used in an area that is smoke-free. You can legally use it however only if you use the list of Defra approved fuels. This list is available on the government's website. The list does not include wood and if you are planning to burn wood on your new stove, you'll require a DEFRA-approved cooking device.
The other advantage of the DEFRA exempt stove is that it is much more efficient than non-Defra approved models. DEFRA approved models are designed to use more fuel. This allows you to draw more heat out of your logs and other types of wood.
It is essential to keep in mind that, even though an DEFRA approved stove is superior than non-DEFRA models but it still needs to be properly maintained to keep it running efficiently. This includes cleaning the flue, cleaning the firebox and ensuring that the chimney is free of obstructions.