Choosing a Defra Approved Woodburner
Defra approved stoves are becoming more and more popular. They will assist you in avoiding a substantial fine if you reside in a smoke control area and provide other benefits too.
The majority of woodburners approved by Defra come with a modified top-air control that stops you from closing it all the way down and thereby cutting off oxygen supply to the flame. This prevents the fuel from smouldering and releasing smoke.
What is an DEFRA approved stove?
When buying a woodburning or multi fuel stove, it is essential to select one that is DEFRA certified, which means that it has passed stringent tests designed by the Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). These tests are designed to ensure that the appliance is in compliance with the law regarding smoke emissions. DEFRA approved stoves have been proven to emit less smoke than other woodburning or multifuel stoves which is why they are able to be employed in Smoke Control Areas.
A Defra approved Stove is also known as a "Smoke Exempt" Stove. In many cases models, these stoves are identified with a 'SE' that signifies Smoke Exempt. This means that the stove has passed a test that has been designed by the UK government's DEFRA and the test is designed to measure emissions levels as well as the amount of smoke produced in normal operation. Defra exempt stoves are able to be employed in a Smoke Control Area and can be fitted with a 5 inch chimney lining for wood burning (provided the manufacturer doesn't require having a larger diameter) if this is in accordance with Building Regulations.
The choice of a Defra approved stove could be a good idea even if you're not in a Smoke Control Area because they are likely to be more eco-friendly and neighbour friendly. They emit less carbon dioxide, which can lead to a nuisance smell in the air. Your flue and chimney will remain cleaner as they can only use dry seasoned wood that hasn't been cut or split in recent times.
Bowland Stoves offers a range of Defra-approved stoves that are available in a number of designs. These are perfect for those who want to heat their homes in an eco friendly manner. We also carry models that are dual-fuel so you can use stoves to warm your home and generate domestic hot water at the same time.
If defra stoves reside in a town or city classified as a smoke control area and you live in a smoke control area, you should make use of a Defra-approved stove or a smoke exempt stove to comply with the laws and avoid heavy penalties. These stoves have been modified to meet the ultra low emission standards set out by the UK government. They often have a second phase of combustion that ensures that waste products in the form of gases are re burnt for even more efficiency.
Defra-approved stoves are eco-friendly
When you choose a DEFRA approved wood-burning stove, you are selecting a heating source that is not just environmentally sustainable but also extremely efficient. This is because the second phase combustion re-burns flue gases which results in a low emission. DEFRA approved stoves can also cut down on costs for energy because they burn fuel more efficiently. They come in a variety of styles that fit any home aesthetic from traditional to modern.
Defra approved stoves are a great choice for anyone living in Smoke Control Areas of the UK. These are usually large cities and towns where smoke emissions are a problem. You can burn wood and other fuels that are not permitted in your home without risking penalties if you own an approved DEFRA stove.
The best DEFRA-approved stoves are also equipped with a variety of eco-friendly features that further reduce their environmental impact. For instance, a lot of our stoves are SIA Ecodesign compliant and have an advanced cleanburn technology that maximizes the efficiency of combustion and reduces emissions. The stoves also feature an airwash system that ensures the glass is clean, so you can enjoy your fire. They can be multi-fuel, which means you can utilize a variety fuels.
A DEFRA approved stove also offers the required amount of oxygen for the wood to burn. This ensures that the wood won't smoke or release excessive smoke. This is important in Smoke Control areas as it could lead to fines.
Apart from the advantages of using 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 due to the fact that ultra-fine particulate (PM2.5) can be absorbed into the lungs and form a part of the air pollution caused by solid fuels such as wood. This can trigger a range of adverse consequences, such as asthma symptoms and a feeling being sick.
Stoves that are Defra approved are neighbour friendly
A DEFRA approved stove is essential for those who live in a smoke control area as it will allow you to burn wood and a range of other authorised smokeless fuels. This is due to their ability to pass stringent emissions tests which limit the amount of smoke they produce during normal operation. If you are using an non-approved stove in a smoking-free area you could be in violation of the law. You could also be facing a heavy fine.
A Defra approved stove is also significantly more eco-friendly and neighbour friendly. They don't emit any noxious smoke, and if they are properly maintained they will run for a prolonged time. This will keep your chimney and flue clean for a longer time.
Manufacturers are constantly improving their clean-burning technology, and new stoves offer a variety of innovative features to make them more environmentally friendly. They have advanced secondary and third-generation combustion systems that help to ensure that all gasses that are combustible are used up. This results in more efficient burning that reduces emissions and waste.
A DEFRA-approved stove will have a high rate of combustion, which means less fuel is wasted and more utilized. This makes them more efficient than older models and leads to cost savings for homeowners.
Defra approved stoves are also more environmentally responsible than traditional open fires or log burners. They emit much less carbon dioxide than fossil fuels, which helps aid the UK's climate change goals. In fact by burning DEFRA approved stoves homeowners can cut their CO2 emissions by nearly one fifth.
A DEFRA approved appliance will often achieve ultra-low levels of emissions, which are even lower than the Ecodesign standards. In 2022, new stoves will be required to comply with the Ecodesign regulations which set minimum efficiency levels, and introduce NOX and OGV ceilings (not currently in place) and emission limits for ALL woodburning appliances that will be more stringent than the DEFRA Exempt ceiling currently applies.
Stoves that are Defra-approved are Smoke-Free
If you reside in an Smoke Controlled area or plan to move into one, you must to ensure that your new wood burner is Defra exempt. This is because the law does not allow the emission of smoke from stoves unless they burn an approved fuel. If you use unapproved fuel within a Smoke Controlled Zone, you could be punished up to PS1000.
A Defra exempt stove is a wood burning multi-fuel stove that has been tested and approved by the Defra (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) regulations. Defra is the UK government department that handles all regulations and policies relating to rural issues, the environment and food.
Stove manufacturers make DEFRA approved and non-DEFRA stoves. The distinction is that a DEFRA approved stove has been modified to stop the air vents from shutting down. This stops a stove from'slumbering that is when a stove reopens its air intakes at night in order to allow the fuel to burn slowly. This opens the combustibles that have been partially burned to go out into the air as black smoke.
Many people are confused about whether a non-DEFRA approved stove can be installed in a Smoke Controlled area. You can legally use it, but only if you are burning a list Defra approved fuels. The list of approved fuels is available on the government website. Unfortunately, wood isn't included on this list so if you'd like to be able to burn wood in your new stove you'll need an DEFRA approved stove.
A DEFRA exempted stove is also more efficient than stoves that aren't DEFRA approved. This is because DEFRA approved stoves are made to use a higher percentage of the fuel that they are fed. This will enable you to extract more heat out of your logs and other types of wood.
Although a stove that is DEFRA-approved is superior to stoves that are not DEFRA-approved in terms of efficiency, it must be maintained in a proper manner to ensure that it continues to perform efficiently. This includes cleaning the flue, cleaning the firebox and checking that the chimney is free of obstructions.