What is a DEFRA Exempt Stove?
A DEFRA exempt stove is a wood-burning or multi fuel stove that is certified to burn certain kinds of fuel, even in smoke control areas. They offer the highest level of combustion and reduce the amount of smoke emitted.
Many leading stove manufacturers now offer DEFRA exempted stoves with secondary or tertiary burners that reduce emissions and make them more environmentally friendly.
Selecting a Defra Exempt Stove
When purchasing a wood burning stove or multi fuel stove it is important to know that not all types of stoves are equal. There are many factors to take into consideration, from the size to the heat output and whether it is defra-approved.
Defra Approved Stoves are also known as smoke-free stoves. They have been tested to be in compliance with the UK government's strict environmental standards. This means that they can be placed in a smoke control area and can burn fuels which normally aren't permitted such as wood.
These stoves are made to produce less smoke and harmful emissions when burning fuel which helps to protect the environment, but they also help to save on the cost of energy in a way that other types of wood burners or open fires can't. This is because they can generally have higher combustion rates, which means that they can produce more heat with the same amount of fuel.
The Defra exempt stoves that we sell also feature secondary and tertiary combustion systems that aid in reducing the amount of pollution produced by the burning of fuel. This means they are even more eco-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 reside in a smoke-free zone, it is crucial that you use a Defra-exempt stove. This will ensure that you do not violate the law and risk being fined a significant amount. However, if you don't reside in a smoke-free area, we recommend that you purchase a Defra exempt stove because these types of stoves usually use fuels more efficiently which can be more eco-friendly and will likely help to keep smoke from escaping into your home.
We have a large range of wood burning stoves and multi-fuel stoves from top manufacturers like Arada, Burley and Parkray. All of them are Defra exempt, and are available in a range of styles that will fit your home. Contact our stove experts if have any queries about our Defra Approved Stoves.
Stoves Approved by Defra for Smoke Control Areas
If you are in the market for a new wood burning or multi fuel stove for your home there are a lot of options to choose from. Some of these stoves are labelled as being DEFRA exempt or Defra approved. While this might sound like jargon that you do not need to worry about, it's important to understand that these stoves have been specifically designed to be used in areas of smoke control.
You must purchase a DEFRA exempt stove if you live in a smoke-control area to avoid having to pay a fine. The DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has tested this kind of stove to ensure that it can be used without creating excessive smoke in Smoke Control Areas. DEFRA approved sustainable stoves is conducted by a certified testing company to ensure that stoves comply with the strict requirements set by the government.
As you can imagine there is a great deal of engineering and design when creating a stove that is DEFRA approved. The good thing is that you will not really be able to tell the difference between a stove that has been DEFRA exempt from the regulations and one that has not been. The primary difference between a DEFRA-approved stove and one that is not will be that the DEFRA endorsed stove will emit less smoke, and can be used with fuels like logs, pellets or briquettes.
You can cut down on your fuel bill whether you live in a smoke-free zone or not by buying a DEFRA exempt stove. They burn more efficiently and cleanly, which will reduce the cost of fuel. Furthermore, they are ideal for your chimney since they can stop the accumulation of soot and grit.
The Defra approved stoves that burn wood and multi-fuel that we offer in our range meet the strict UK legal requirements to be awarded this status. This means that they all have a combustion rate that is sufficient to ensure that they don't produce too much smoke over the time frame that is controlled.
Stoves that have been approved by Defra to be used in smoking-free areas
It is essential to know if you live in a designated smoke control area before purchasing an appliance. If so, it is essential that your stove is DEFRA approved since the use of a stove that is not approved within the area of a Smoke Control Area could result in fines.
If you do live in a Smoke Control Area it is also crucial to make use of a stove that is approved for burning wood (and other fuels that are authorised). DEFRA is the Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs and it is the government agency that enforces the Clean Air Act in these areas. Contact your local authority to find out whether your home is in a Smoke Control Area.
A DEFRA approved stove is one that has passed a stringent government test for emissions levels when it is operating normally. This means the stove produces lower emissions, which is healthier for the environment and you as well as being more efficient when burning wood and other approved fuels.
It is common to spot a DEFRA approved stove as they'll have the Defra Approved logo or may include SE (smoke exempt) in the title or specification. The logo is well recognised by the industry and is widely used, so you should be able to find one quickly enough.
Defra approved stoves come with a variety of advantages, including being more efficient than conventional models and having the ability to slumber burn using less levels of combustion. They also have a much longer lifespan than traditional stoves, with some manufacturers offering a five-year guarantee on their appliances.
If your stove is DEFRA-approved, you can use it with a variety of types. However, you should only use firewood that has an moisture content of 20% or less to prevent excessive smoke emissions. You can do this by utilizing a log supplier that utilizes the Woodsure Ready to Burn Scheme or by purchasing firewood at your nearest timber merchant.
A DEFRA stove will always provide an adequate amount of combustion air to ensure that the fuel is burning correctly and efficiently, without producing excessive smoke. This makes it ideal for use with slumber burn, which is where you allow your stove to run for the night and let the fuel continue burning without releasing any excess smoke into the room.
Stoves Approved by Defra for Multi-Fuel
You may be drawn to the DEFRA-approved model when purchasing a wood burning stove or multi fuel stove. While this may sound like jargon to some homeowners, it's essential to know that DEFRA approved models are better for the environment and your chimney.
Defra approved stoves are built in a manner that they do not deprive the fire of oxygen during the combustion process. This is done to prevent the fire from releasing large quantities of smoke, especially in Smoke Control Areas. Some stoves can be modified to become Defra approved by the manufacturer's kit. The kit restricts the amount the vents on the airways are shut during the burn cycle. If you're someone who tends to load a stove and put it to sleep to allow for a longer burn, this is known as 'slumber burning', in which the stove is depleted of oxygen, the flames will burn more slowly and create more part-burned combustibles such as tar and soot which can block the flue. A stove that is Defra-approved does not sleep, which means it is less likely to emit this material into the air. This also means that if your stove is switched from solid fuel to smokeless for overnight burning, a minimum amount of fuel will always be supplied.
Stove Supermarket stocks a selection of DEFRA approved stoves to suit various applications. This includes a traditional stove such as our Bassington Eco which has a cast iron construction with large picture windows making it suitable for use within an old-fashioned fireplace or inglenook. The stove is DEFRA-approved for burning wood within a smoke-control area however, it also works well with solid fuels and a range of smokeless coals.
All of our Defra approved stoves have been rigorously tested to ensure they are at the top level of efficiency and emissions. These models are suitable for Smoke Control Areas, and will keep your home and chimney cleaner longer than non-DEFRA stoves.