Choosing a Defra Approved Woodburner
Defra approved stoves are becoming more popular. You can avoid a heavy penalty if you live in a zone that has smoke control. They also have other benefits.
Most Defra approved woodburners will have an air control on the top that stops you closing it completely down which would cut off the oxygen supply to the fire. This stops the fuel from burning and generating smoke.
What is a DEFRA Approved Stove?
When buying a woodburning or multi-fuel stove, it is essential to select one that is DEFRA approved as this means that it has passed stringent tests designed by the Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). These tests are created to ensure that the product conforms to the law regarding smoke emission. DEFRA approved stoves have been found to emit less smoke than other woodburning or multifuel stoves, which is the reason they can be employed in Smoke Control Areas.
A Defra approved stove is also known as a “Smoke Exempt” Stove. In many cases the models are marked with a ‘SE’ that means Smoke Exempt. This signifies that the stove has passed a test designed by DEFRA, the UK government. The test tests the emissions levels and the amount of smoke that is produced during normal operation. Defra exempt stoves are able to be employed in a Smoke Control Area, and they can be equipped with an insulated chimney of 5 inches for wood burning (provided the manufacturer doesn’t insist on a bigger diameter) provided that this is in accordance with Building Regulations.
Selecting the Defra approved stove could be an excellent choice even if you do not live in a Smoke Control Area as they tend to be more sustainable and friendly to neighbours. They’ve been proven to produce fewer emissions which can cause smoke in the air and your chimney and flue system will stay cleaner for DEFRA approved Stoves longer because they can only be used with dry seasoned firewood that hasn’t been split or cut recently.
Bowland Stoves offers a range of stoves that are Defra-approved and available in a variety of styles. These are perfect for those who want to heat their homes in an environmentally friendly manner. We also stock a number of stoves that are dual fuel so you can use them to heat your home while producing domestic hot water simultaneously.
If you reside in a town or a city classified as a smoke-control zone in which case you will need to use a Defra-approved kitchen or a smoke exempt stove to ensure that you are in compliance with the laws and avoid paying hefty penalties. These stoves are modified to meet the ultra-low emission standards set by the UK government. They will often feature a second stage of combustion which ensures that waste products in the forms of gas are re-burned to improve efficiency.
Eco-friendly stoves that have been Defra-approved
If you select a DEFRA approved wood-burning stove, you’re choosing a heat source that is not just environmentally responsible, but also extremely efficient. This is due to the second stage of combustion that re-burns flue gases and produces a low amount of carbon dioxide. DEFRA approved stoves are also cost efficient because they make use of fuel more efficiently, which reduces energy consumption in the long term. They are also available in a variety of styles to fit any style of home, from traditional to contemporary.
Defra approved stoves are an excellent choice for those living in Smoke Control Areas of the UK. These are generally large towns and cities where smoke emissions can be a problem. You can use wood and other fuels that are not permitted in your home without risking penalties if you own an approved DEFRA stove.
The top DEFRA approved stoves also have a range of additional eco-friendly features that further reduce their environmental impact. For instance, a lot of our stoves are SIA Ecodesign compliant, and feature a cutting-edge cleanburn technology that maximises combustion efficiency and reduces emissions. The stoves also come with an airwash system which keeps the glass clean, so you can enjoy your fire. They are multi-fuel, so you can choose from a variety of fuels.
A DEFRA approved stove also has the required amount of oxygen for the wood to burn. This means that the wood will not ignite or release excessive smoke, which is particularly important in Smoke Control Area because this could lead to fines.
Apart from the advantages of using a wood-burning stove within 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 get deep into the lungs and form a part of the air pollution caused by solid fuels like wood. It can cause a variety of adverse consequences, such as asthma symptoms and a feeling of being unwell.
Stoves that are Defra approved are friendly to neighbours.
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 because they are able to pass strict emissions tests which limit the amount of smoke they produce in their normal use. If you use an unapproved stove in a smoking-free area, you may be breaking 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 produce nuisance smoke and if properly maintained will run cleanly for a long period of time, which means your chimney and flue system will stay more clean for a longer period of time.
Stove manufacturers are constantly advancing their clean burning technology and new stoves are now equipped with a wide variety of innovative features that help them be more green. They have advanced secondary and third-generation combustion systems, which help to ensure that all combustible gases are absorbed. This results in a more effective burn that reduces emissions and waste.
A DEFRA-approved cooktop will also have a high rate of combustion which means that less fuel is wasted and more utilized. This makes them more efficient than earlier models and leads to savings for homeowners.
Defra approved stoves are more environmentally responsible than traditional open fires or log burners. They release less carbon dioxide than fossil fuels, and thus aid the UK’s climate change targets. By burning DEFRA-approved stoves homeowners can cut their CO2 emissions by as much as a fifth.
In addition to being more efficient, it is also more efficient. A DEFRA approved stove will usually be able to attain emission levels that are extremely low that are higher than those required for Ecodesign. In 2022, new stoves will have to comply with the Ecodesign regulations that set minimum efficiency, introduce ceilings for OGV and NOX (not currently in place) and emissions limits for ALL woodburning appliances, which will be more stringent than the DEFRA accredited stoves Exempt ceiling that currently applies.
Defra Approved Stoves Are Smoke Exempt
If you reside in a Smoke Controlled area or plan to move into one, it is important to ensure that your new wood burner is Defra exempt. This is because the law bans smoke emissions from a stove unless it burns an approved fuel. Using an unapproved fuel in a Smoke Controlled area could lead to fines of up to PS1000.
A Defra exempt stove is a wood-burning multi-fuel stove that has been tested and passed the Defra (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) regulations. Defra is the UK government department responsible for all policies and regulations related to food, rural issues, and the environment.
Stove manufacturers make DEFRA approved and non-DEFRA stoves. The DEFRA stoves have been altered to ensure that the vents cannot be closed. This stops the stove from sleeping, which is where the stove opens its air vents at night, allowing the fuel to continue to burn slowly. The re-opening of air vents causes combustibles that are partially burned to be sent back out into the room as black smoke.
Many people are unsure whether a non DEFRA approved stove is allowed to be installed in a space which is smoke-free. You can use it legally however, only if you use the list of Defra approved fuels. The list of approved fuels is accessible on the official website. This list does not include wood and if you are planning to burn wood on your new stove, you’ll need a DEFRA-approved stove.
A DEFRA exempted stove can be more efficient than models that are not DEFRA approved. DEFRA approved stoves are built to make use of more fuel. This means that you’ll be able to get more warmth from your logs or other types of wood, which will lower your heating expenses.
Even though a DEFRA-approved stove is superior to non-DEFRA models in terms of efficiency, it still needs to be maintained properly in order to ensure it continues function effectively. This means regular cleaning of the firebox and flue and a regular check to see that the chimney or flue are clear of obstructions.