The Benefits of DEFRA Exempt Wood Burners
DEFRA approved wood-burning stoves can be a fantastic choice for homeowners who live in smoke-control areas. These log burners have been rigorously tested and are able to operate within strict regulations.
Stoves that are approved will have the letter 'SE', which means Smoke Exempt. They are only permitted to be used in smoke-controlled areas when burning Defra-approved fuels that include wood or smokeless fuels.
Smoke Exempt
DEFRA exempted wood burning stoves or Defra approved stoves are made to comply with the Department of Environment (DEFRA's) regulations. These stoves have been tested and examined to ensure that they burn fuel more efficiently and produce very little or no smoke. These stoves emit low levels of carbon dioxide and their combustion efficiency allows them to re-burn part-burned combustibles such as soot and ash before they escape up your chimney.
If you live in a large or a city town that is classified as a Smoke Control Area then it's crucial that your stove is DEFRA exempt and is able to be used with authorised fuels. Smoke from your chimney is illegal if you do not have an exempt appliance or fuels that are approved. Exempt Defra stoves are better for your chimney as they burn fuel more efficiently and produce less smoke. The chimney and flue will remain cleaner for longer.
We have a range of stoves that are Defra-exempt that include models from Stovax and Arada. We only offer the highest quality products and you can be sure that your new stove will be a safe and effective addition to your home.
It is a popular misconception that you must buy an exempt stove from Defra even if your house is located in a smoke-control area. It's not the case. You can still fit an un-DEFRA stove in your home provided it has an 6" (150mm) flue liner, and only use it with authorised charcoal or other smokeless fuels.
We suggest you select a Defra approved model if you want to ensure that you are able to use wood legally in your DEFRA-exempt stove. The stoves we offer were designed to comply with UK environmental standards. They have been tested and certified as DEFRA exempt. This means that they emit very little smoke. These stoves are also more efficient than older-style models, so you can heat the property using fewer wood logs. You can choose from a range of Defra models that come in a variety of colours and styles.
Clean Burn
Open fires and wood-burning stoves generate smoke that can have a negative effect on the health of those in your home and those living close by. The fine particulates found in the smoke could cause respiratory issues, including asthma. Modern stoves that are DEFRA-exempt are designed to minimize these harmful effects.
These wood burners that are clean burning, which are often also called SE or Defra approved stoves are rigorously tested and inspected to ensure that they comply with the Department of Environment's regulations. defra stoves are designed to burn fuel more effectively, resulting in fewer pollutants. These stoves will also show a clear vapour that is released from the chimney, instead of the dark smoke that is associated with older log burning stoves and open fires.
Modern DEFRA-exempt stoves feature secondary and tertiary systems that are responsible for the lower smoke particles. This means that the air inside the combustion chamber is always being circulated, which makes it much more difficult for these particles to escape the chimney.
This also means that you can only burn fuels that are authorised on your DEFRA exempt wood stove (such as dry seasoned firewood). Modern stoves come with an airflow system that keeps the combustion chamber clean, reducing soot and allowing gas to flow easily out of the flue.
According to Defra, a new wood stove that is DEFRA-approved and has an EcoDesign baffle can produce 500 times less harmful emissions than the traditional log burning stove or open fire. Installing one of these efficient, modern stoves in a Smoke-Control Area is crucial to protect your health as well as the health of your neighbors.
Alternately, you can set up a DEFRA Approved multi-fuel stove and utilize a variety fuels, including briquettes, peat and other varieties of manufactured solid fuel which are available to purchase in supermarkets. However, it is recommended to only use dry 'Ready Burn' seasoned wood and never burn treated or painted timber as these will produce more pollutants than untreated timber.
Easy Maintenance
A DEFRA exempt wood burning stove is simple to maintain, with a regular clean and maintenance checks which will ensure that it lasts for longer. These stoves are also extremely efficient, allowing you to save money on heating bills as well as reducing consumption of fuel by up to 50%. The emissions generated by these stoves are also significantly lower than other types of stoves, and they provide a greener alternative to fossil fuels.
These wood stoves can be easily installed and are suitable for many homes, particularly in urban areas. They have passed Defra testing, which means that you can legally use them in smoke control zones without breaking the law or risking a hefty fine.
Defra approved wood stoves are often more affordable than other stoves because they feature advanced combustion technology that ensures the fire burns efficiently. This means less carbon monoxide, particulates and other pollutants are released into the air. This is good for your health and your family's.
The DEFRA exempted stoves are also certified by other initiatives, like Clearskies and Ecodesign. This means that they meet strict standards for efficiency and emission. These certifications are advertised on the stoves that we carry, and they will give you confidence that you are purchasing a safe and environmentally responsible model.
Stoves Direct offers a large range of stoves that are Defra-exempt with a variety of traditional designs that work for an inglenook or a fireplace chamber. We also have modern, sleek options that look great with a simple fireplace mantle or surround. If you're thinking of buying one of our Defra exempt wood burning stoves, it is important to think about the style you would like in your home and how it will fit with the interior decor.
You can only use a Defra-exempt stove in a Smoke Control Area. This will help you save money if you're caught with a wood-burning fire. It is also an excellent alternative for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint because the tree from which 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
It is crucial to have a wood-burning stove that has been DEFRA-approved in UK cities and towns. This means that the stove has passed strict tests and can be legally used in these areas. The tests make sure that the air is not contaminated by the combustion particles produced by the stove. These toxins cause the dark smoke that is often seen emanating from chimneys in areas of smoke control and they can have a negative effect on health, as well as being a nuisance to neighbours.
In the wake of this local councils have enacted laws that ban the use of open flames and non-DEFRA exempt appliances in these areas to manage the issue. However, the good part is that you can still install a stove in your home if it is DEFRA exempt and you burn authorised fuel.
Stoves that have been approved to be used in a Smoke Control Area will be marked as in the Smoke Control Area and have been tested to ensure they are in compliance with strict emissions and efficiency standards. The stoves that are exempt from Defra tend to be more environmentally friendly than other types of wood burners as they have advanced secondary and tertiary systems of combustion which help reduce their carbon footprint.
The most efficient method to determine if you live in a zone
