The Benefits of DEFRA Exempt Wood Burners
DEFRA approved wood burning stoves are a great option for homeowners who live within smoke control zones. The stoves have been rigorously tested and operate in accordance with strict regulations.
Stoves that have been approved will have a 'SE', which stands for Smoke Exempt. They are able to be used in smoke controlled areas but only when burning Defra Approved Fuels which include wood and manufactured smokeless fuels.
Smoke Exempt
DEFRA exempted wood burning stoves or Defra-approved stoves are designed to comply with the Department of Environment (DEFRA's) regulations. The stoves were tested and examined to ensure that they efficiently burn fuel and produce minimal or no smoke. They emit very minimal levels of emissions and their combustion efficiency allows them to re-burn partially burned combustibles such as ash and soot before they escape up your chimney.
If you reside in a large or a city town that is classified as Smoke Control Area then it's crucial that your stove is DEFRA exempt and is able to be used with approved fuels. It is illegal to release smoke from your chimney if you're not using an exempt device or fuels that are authorised. Defra exempt stoves are also better for your chimney because they burn fuel more effectively and produce less smoke, meaning your chimney and flue remain cleaner for longer.
We have a variety of stoves that are Defra-exempt that include the ones from Stovax and Arada. We only sell the best quality products which means you can rest assured that your new stove will be an excellent addition to your home.
There is a common misconception that you must purchase a Defra exempt stove if you reside in a zone of smoke control but this isn't the case. You can still install a non-DEFRA fireplace in your home, if it has a 6" (150mm), flue liner, and can only be used with authorised briquettes.
If you want to be sure that you can legally burn wood in your DEFRA exempt stove, then we recommend that you choose one of our Defra approved models. The stoves we offer were designed to comply with UK environmental standards. They have been tested and approved as DEFRA exempt. This means they emit very little smoke. They are also more energy-efficient than older-style stoves, so you can heat your property using fewer logs. Our selection of Defra stoves is available in a variety of colours and styles, so you're bound to find the perfect model for your home.
Clean Burn
Wood-burning stoves and open fires can produce smoke that can be detrimental to the health of those in your home as as those nearby. The fine particulates found in the smoke could cause respiratory issues, including asthma. Modern stoves that are DEFRA-exempt are designed to reduce the harmful effects of this smoke.
These wood burners were thoroughly tested and inspected to ensure that they comply with the Department of Environment regulations. These stoves are designed to burn fuel more effectively which means less pollutants. They also display a clear vapour emanating from the chimney, instead of the dark smoke that is associated with older stoves that burn logs and open fires.
These modern DEFRA-exempt stoves have secondary and tertiary systems which are responsible for the lower smoke particles. This means that the air inside the combustion chamber is constantly circulated. This makes it more difficult for the smoke particles to escape.
Recommended Web page means you are able to only use fuels that are authorised in your DEFRA-exempt wood stove (such seasoned dry firewood). These modern stoves have an airflow system that keeps the combustion chamber clean, reducing soot and allowing gas to escape easily out of the flue.
According to Defra the new DEFRA-approved wood stove fitted with an EcoDesign baffle is capable of producing around 350 times less pollution than traditional stoves that burn wood or open fire. Installing one of these modern, efficient stoves in a Smoke Control Area is crucial to protect your health as well as the health of your neighbors.
Alternatively, you can install a DEFRA Approved multi-fuel stove and utilize a variety fuels like briquettes, peat, and other types of manufactured solid fuel that are available to purchase at supermarkets. It is recommended that you only burn 'Ready To Burn" seasoned dry wood. Never burn treated or painted wood because they create more pollutant than untreated wood.
Easy Maintenance
A DEFRA exempt wood burning stove is easy to maintain, with regular cleaning and maintenance routine helping to ensure it lasts for longer. They are extremely efficient and can reduce consumption of fuel by as high as 50%. These stoves produce far fewer emissions than other types, and are a more environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels.
The wood stoves are easily installed and are suitable for many homes, particularly in urban areas. The wood stoves that are available have passed Defra tests, which means you can use them legally in smoke control areas without violating the law or risking a hefty penalty.
Defra-approved wood stoves can also be cheaper to operate than other stove models, thanks to their advanced combustion technology that ensures that the fire burns efficiently. This results in less particulates and carbon monoxide releasing into the air, which is great news for your health and that of your family members.
Additionally, the DEFRA exempt stoves have been inspected by various initiatives such as the Clearskies scheme and Ecodesign, meaning they meet strict emission and efficiency standards. These certifications are displayed on the stoves we sell, and provide you with peace of mind that you are purchasing an environmentally-friendly and safe model.
You can find a wide selection of Defra exempt stoves on Stoves Direct, including many traditional styles that are perfect for an inglenook fireplace, or a fireplace chamber. We also have modern, sleek designs that are perfect for a simple mantle or surround. If you're considering buying one our Defra-exempt wood burning stoves, you need to think about the style you'd like to see for your home, and how it will fit with the decor.
A Defra exempt stove is the only kind of log burner that you can legally burn in a Smoke Control Area, and it will help you avoid paying a fine if you are caught with a rogue wood-burning fire. It's also a great option for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint, as the tree that is used to make the wood absorbs CO2 as it grows and returns it back to the atmosphere when it is burned in the stove.
Suitable for Smoke Control Areas
It is essential to have a stove that burns wood that has been approved by DEFRA in UK cities and towns. This means it has passed the rigorous tests and is safe to use in these areas. These tests ensure that particulates that are produced by the stove will not pollute the air. These toxins can lead to the dark smoke visible from chimneys within smoke zones of control. They can be harmful to health and cause annoyance to neighbors.
Local councils have also enacted laws to control the problem by prohibiting the use of open fireplaces and non-DEFRA-exempt appliances. But the good part is that you can still have a stove in your home, provided it is DEFRA exempt and you only burn approved fuel.
Stoves that are approved for use in a Smoke Control Area will be marked as in the Smoke Control Area and have been tested to ensure they meet or exceed strict emissions and efficiency standards. The stoves that are Defra-exempt are also more environmentally friendly in comparison to other types of woodburners because they use advanced secondary and tertiary combustion systems that reduce their carbon footprint.
The simplest method to determine whether you are in a smoke-free zone is to contact your local council and ask them for more details. You can also find out by looking at your property's postcode online, although it is best to visit your local council website for more specific information as every district in the UK might be different.
Even if you don't live in the Smoke Control Area, a Defra exempt wood burning stove is a good purchase because it is more eco-friendly and friendly to neighbors. It will also usually mean that your chimney and flue system will stay cleaner for longer too because a Defra approved stove will emit significantly less smoke than traditional stoves. The majority of the top stove manufacturers like Arada Burley Parkray Stovax, have a variety of smokeless models which are DEFRA exempt.