What is a DEFRA Exempt Stove?
A DEFRA exempt stove is a wood burning or multi fuel stove that is authorized to burn certain types of fuel in smoke control zones. They ensure maximum combustion while reducing the amount of smoke.
Many leading stove manufacturers now offer DEFRA exempted stoves with secondary or tertiary combustion systems that help to reduce emissions and help to make them more eco-friendly.
Choosing a Defra Exempt Stove
It is important to understand that not all stoves made of wood or multi-fuel are the same. There are many factors to consider, ranging from the size to the heat output and whether it is defra-approved.
Defra Approved Stoves are also referred to as smoke-free stoves. They've been tested to be in compliance with the UK government's strict environmental standards. These stoves can be installed in smoke control areas and are able to burn fuels that are not typically be permitted, like wood.
These stoves are designed for less smoke and harmful emission when burning fuel, which helps to protect the environment. They also help in reducing energy costs in a way that other open-fire or wood burner can't. This is because they can often offer higher combustion rates which mean that they can produce more heat with the same amount of fuel.
The Defra exempt stoves that we sell also have secondary and tertiary combustion systems which aid in reducing the amount of harmful gases produced by the combustion of fuel. This means they are more environmentally friendly than other wood burning stoves and open fires that are not Defra approved and can help to keep your chimney free of dust for longer.
If you live in a smoke controlled area, it is essential to use a Defra exempt stove. This will ensure that you do not violate the law and face the hefty penalty. However, if you don't live in a smoke controlled area, we suggest that you buy a Defra exempt stove as these kinds of stoves typically burn fuels much more efficiently which can be better for the environment and could help prevent nuisance smoke from escaping into your home.
We offer a huge selection of wood-burning and multi fuel stoves made by top manufacturers like Arada, Burley, Parkray and Stovax all of which are Defra exempt and are available in a variety of styles to suit your home. Please contact our stove experts if you have any questions about our Defra-approved stoves.
Stoves that have been approved by Defra to be used in smoke control zones
When looking to purchase a brand new wood burning or multi fuel stove for your home there are a lot of choices to pick from. Some of these stoves are marked as DEFRA approved or DEFRA exempt. This might sound like an overused term, but it's important to understand that these stoves were created to be used in smoke-control zones.
You must purchase a DEFRA-exempt stove if you are in a zone of smoke control to avoid a fine. This kind of stove has been tested by DEFRA (Department for Environment Food, Rural Affairs and the Environment) to ensure that it is able to be used in Smoke Control Areas without generating excessive smoke. The tests are conducted by a qualified testing firm to ensure that stoves comply with the strict requirements set by the government.
As you can imagine there is an abundance of engineering and design involved in the creation of a stove that has been DEFRA approved. The good news is that you won't be able to discern the difference between the stove that is DEFRA exempt from the regulations and one that is not. The major difference is that a stove that has been approved by DEFRA does not emit a lot of smoke and will be able to be used with approved fuels like pellets, logs and Briquettes, etc.
No matter if you are in a Smoke Control Area or not, purchasing a DEFRA Exempt Stove is a smart move because they provide a cleaner and more efficient burning that will help reduce your fuel bills. They also are better for your chimney, since they can prevent the build-up of soot and grit.
The Defra approved stoves that burn wood and multi-fuel that we have in our range meet the strict UK legal requirements to be awarded this status. This means that they all have a burning rate that is low enough to ensure that they don't generate excessive smoke during the time frame that is controlled.
Stoves deemed acceptable by Defra for non-smoking areas
It is important to know whether you reside in a designated smoke control area prior to purchasing a new stove. If so, it's crucial that your stove is DEFRA approved. Using a non-approved appliance in the Smoke Control Area can result in fines.
If you live in the Smoke Control Area, it is important to choose a stove that has been certified to burn wood and other fuels. DEFRA is the acronym for Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs, and it is the governmental authority who enforces the clean air law in these areas. Contact your local authority to find out whether your home is in an area designated as a Smoke Control Area.
A DEFRA Approved Stove is one that has passed the government's strict test of emissions levels in normal operation. This means that the stove meets low emissions levels that are better for your health and the environment, as well as making it more efficient to burn wood and other authorised fuels.
You can often spot a DEFRA approved stove since they will display the Defra Approved logo or may include SE (smoke exempt) in the title or in the specification. The logo is recognized by the industry and widely adopted so you will be able to locate one easily enough.
Defra-approved stoves offer many benefits. They are more efficient than traditional models and burn at lower levels. Some manufacturers offer a five-year warranty on their stoves.
If you own an DEFRA approved stove, it will be safe to use with most types of wood. But, it is recommended to use firewood that has a moisture content of 20% or less to prevent excessive smoke emissions. This can be achieved by utilizing a log supply company that uses the Woodsure Ready to Burn scheme or by purchasing dry firewood from the nearest timber retailer.
DEFRA stoves installation will always offer a minimum amount of combustion air to ensure that the fuel is burning properly and efficiently, without producing excessive smoke. This is why it is ideal for use with the slumber burn method, where you allow your stove to run for the night and let the fuel continue to burn, without releasing excess smoke into the room.
Defra Approved Stoves for Multi-Fuel
You may be drawn to the DEFRA-approved model when purchasing a wood burning stove or multi fuel stove. Whilst for many homeowners this may seem like jargon they shouldn't have to be concerned about, there is a lot of truth in the fact that DEFRA approved stoves are safer for your chimney as well as the environment.
Defra approved stoves are built in such a way that they don't deprive the fire of oxygen during the combustion process. This helps to prevent the fire from producing large amounts of smoke, especially in Smoke Control Areas. A kit supplied by the manufacturer can be used to modify some stoves so that they are Defra-approved. The kit limits how much the air vents are closed during the burn cycle. If you are someone who likes to load a stove and rest it over night to prolong the burn, this is known as'slumber burning'. in which the stove is starved of oxygen the flames will burn more slowly and create more part-burned combustibles like tar and soot which can block the flue. A stove that is Defra-approved does not sleep, which means it is less likely to release this material into the air. This also means that if your stove is switched from solid fuel to smokeless for overnight burning, a certain amount of smoke will always be released.
Stove Supermarket offers a variety of DEFRA approved stoves to suit a variety of applications. They include the traditional stove like our Bassington Eco, which features cast iron construction and a large glass window that makes it ideal for an old-fashioned fireplace chamber or inglenook. This stove is DEFRA approved for burning wood in a smoke-control area but will also work well with solid fuel as well as an array of smokeless coals.
All of our Defra approved stoves have been rigorously tested to ensure that they meet the highest levels of efficiency and emissions. These models are suitable for Smoke Control Areas, and will keep your home and chimney cleaner for longer than non-DEFRA stoves.