The Benefits of DEFRA Exempt Wood Burners
DEFRA approved wood-burning stoves are an excellent choice for homeowners who live in smoke-control areas. These particular stoves have undergone rigorous testing and are able to operate in accordance with strict regulations.
Stoves that have been approved will bear a 'SE', which stands for Smoke Exempt. They are able to be used in smoke-controlled areas, but only when burning approved fuels from Defra including wood and manufactured smokeless fuels.
Smoke Exempt
DEFRA exempt wood burning stoves or Defra approved stoves are designed to conform to the Department of Environment's (DEFRA) regulations. The stoves have been tested and examined to ensure that they use fuel more efficiently and produce little or no smoke. They emit very minimal levels of emissions and their efficiency of combustion permits them to re-burn combustibles that have been burned partially such as ash and soot before they escape up your chimney.
If you reside in an area that is classified as a Smoke-Control Area and you live in a Smoke-Control Area, it is crucial that your stove be DEFRA exempt. It should also permit you to use fuels that are authorised. Smoke from your chimney is a crime when you don't use an exempt appliance, or fuels that have been approved. Exempted Defra stoves are better for your chimney because they burn fuel cleaner and produce less smoke. The chimney and flue will last longer and remain cleaner.
We have a great selection of Defra exempt stoves from top manufacturers in the world, including Stovax and Arada. We only provide the highest quality products and you can be confident that your new stove will be a safe and effective addition to your home.
It is a common misconception that you need to buy a Defra-exempt stove if your home is in a smoke-control area. This isn't the case. You can still install an un-DEFRA stove in your home if it is fitted with a 6" (150mm) flue liner, and only use it with authorised charcoal or other smokeless fuels.
If you want to be sure that you are able to legally burn wood in your DEFRA exempt stove, then we suggest that you choose one of our Defra approved models. The stoves we offer were designed to comply with UK standards for environmental protection. They have been tested and certified as DEFRA exempt. This means they emit a minimal amount of smoke. They are also more energy-efficient than older-style stoves, so you can heat your home with fewer logs. Our selection of Defra stoves are available in a range of colors and designs, so you're certain to find the right model for your home.
Clean Burn
Open fires and wood-burning stoves can produce smoke that can be hazardous to the health of those in your home as the people who live nearby. The fine particulates found in the smoke could cause respiratory issues, including asthma. Modern stoves that are DEFRA-exempt are designed to reduce these harmful effects.
These wood burners were thoroughly tested and examined in order to ensure they are in compliance with Department of Environment regulations. These stoves are designed to burn fuel more efficiently and produce less pollution. These stoves also emit clear vapour, instead of the dark smoke associated with older open fires and log burning stoves.
The reason the smoke particles in modern DEFRA exempt stoves are lower is due to the fact that they are constructed with secondary and tertiary airflow systems. This means that the air inside the combustion chamber is continuously being circulated, which makes it more difficult for the particles to escape into the chimney.
This means that you are able to only use fuels that are authorised in your DEFRA-exempt wood stove (such dry, seasoned firewood). Modern stoves come with an airflow system that keeps the combustion chamber clean, reducing soot and allowing gas to escape easily from the flue.
In fact, a new DEFRA approved wood stove that is fitted with an EcoDesign baffle will generate around 500 times less carbon dioxide than a traditional open fire or a traditional log burning stove according to Defra. Installing one of these efficient, modern stoves in a Smoke Control Area is essential to safeguard both your health and the health of your neighbors.
You can also put in a DEFRA Approved Multi-Fuel Stove and make use of a variety of fuels such as peat, briquettes and other solid fuels manufactured by companies which are available at supermarkets. However, it is recommended to only use dry 'Ready To Burn' seasoned wood and do not burn treated or painted timber as these will produce more pollution than untreated wood.
Easy Maintenance
A DEFRA exempt wood burning stove is easy to maintain, with a regular cleaning and maintenance routine which will ensure that it lasts longer. These stoves are also very efficient, providing savings on heating bills as well as cutting down on the amount of fuel you use by up to 50 percent. These stoves emit far less emissions than other stoves and are a more eco friendly alternative to fossil fuels.
These kinds of wood stoves are very easy to set up and are suitable for all homes, especially if you live in an urban area. These wood stoves have passed Defra tests which means that you can use them legally in smoke control zones without violating the law or committing the hefty penalty.
Defra approved wood stoves are also often more affordable than other stoves due to their advanced combustion technology that ensures that the fire burns effectively. This results in less particulates and carbon monoxide being released into the air, which is great news for your health as well as that of your family members.
Additionally, the DEFRA exempt stoves have been certified by a variety of initiatives like the Clearskies scheme and Ecodesign, meaning that they meet stringent emissions and efficiency requirements. These certifications are displayed on the stoves we offer, and provide assurance that you're buying a model that is safe and eco sustainable.
There's a broad selection of Defra exempt stoves at Stoves Direct, including many traditional designs that are ideal for an inglenook fireplace or fireplace chamber. We also have modern, sleek options that look stunning with a simple fireplace mantle or surround. If you're considering purchasing one of our Defra-exempt wood burning stoves, it's crucial to consider the style you'd like to see for your home, and how it will blend with the design.
You can only use an exempt stove that is Defra-compliant in a Smoke Control Area. This will save you money if you're caught with a wood-burning fire. fireplacesandstove.com is also an excellent alternative for those who wish to reduce their carbon footprint, since the tree the wood comes from absorbs CO2 as it grows, and returns it back to the atmosphere when it is burned in the stove.
Ideal for Smoke Control Areas
Many UK cities and large towns are classified as Smoke Control Areas, so a wood-burning stove that has been DEFRA certified is essential. This means that it has passed rigorous tests and is legal to use in these areas. These tests ensure that the air isn't contaminated with the combustion particles produced by the stove. These toxins are the reason for the dark smoke that is often seen emanating from chimneys in smoke control areas, and they can have a negative impact on health and also creating a nuisance for neighbours.
In the wake of this local councils have passed laws that ban the use of open fires and non-DEFRA exempt appliances in these areas to tackle the issue. But the good part is that you can still have a stove in your home, provided it is DEFRA exempt and you burn approved fuel.
Stoves that have been approved for use in a Smoke Control Area will be marked as so and have been tested to ensure that they meet or exceed strict emissions and efficiency standards. Defra-exempt stoves are also more environmentally friendly in comparison to other types of woodburners, as they have advanced secondary and tertiary burn systems which reduce their carbon footprint.
You can determine if you live in a smoke-free area by contact your local council. You can also look up the address of your home online. However, it is best to consult your local council for more details.
Even if you don't live in a Smoke Control Area, a Defra exempt wood burning stove is a wise choice as it's more environmentally and neighbour friendly. It will also usually mean that your chimney and flue system stays cleaner for a longer period of time because a Defra approved stove produces significantly less smoke than traditional stoves. The majority of the top stove manufacturers, such as Arada Burley Parkray Stovax, offer a range of smokeless models that are DEFRA exempt.