Choosing a Defra Approved Woodburner
Defra approved stoves are becoming more and more popular. They can aid you in avoiding a significant fine if you reside in a smoke-free zone and offer additional benefits.
The majority of woodburners that are approved by Defra have an altered top-air control that prevents you from closing it all the way down that would cut off oxygen flow to the flame. This prevents the fuel from burning and releasing smoke.
What is a DEFRA Approved Stove?
It is important that you choose a stove which has been DEFRA-approved when buying a multifuel or woodburning stove. This means that the stove has passed rigorous tests formulated by DEFRA. These tests are designed to ensure that the appliance abides by laws regarding smoke emissions. DEFRA approved stoves emit less smoke than woodburning stoves or multifuel stoves, which is the reason they can be employed in Smoke Control Areas.
A Defra approved stove is also referred to as a "Smoke Exempt" Stove. In many instances models, these stoves are identified with a 'SE' which stands for Smoke Exempt. This means that the stove has been tested and passed the test which was designed by the UK government's DEFRA and this test measures emission levels and the amount of smoke that is produced in normal operation. The stoves that are Defra Exempt can be used within a Smoke Control Area and can be equipped with a 5 inch chimney liner to facilitate the burning of wood (provided that the manufacturer doesn't insist on a bigger diameter) when this is in accordance with Building Regulations.
Even if you do not live in a Smoke-Control Area and you are not in a Smoke-Control Area, a Defra- stove is a great option. They are more eco friendly and friendly to neighbors. They produce less emissions which can create nuisance smoke in the air. Your flue and chimney will remain cleaner for longer because they only require dry wood that's not been cut or split recently.
Bowland Stoves offers a range of stoves that are Defra-approved and available in a number of designs. These stoves are ideal for those who wish to heat their homes in an environmentally green way. We also have models that are dual-fuel, meaning you can make use of stoves to heat your home and create domestic hot water at the same time.
If you reside in a town or city that has been classified as a Smoke Control Area then the chances are you'll need a Defra Approved Stove or Smoke Exempt Stove in order to comply with the law and avoid paying hefty fines. These stoves have been altered to meet the ultra-low emissions standards laid out by the UK government. They will typically have a second stage of combustion, which ensures that waste products in form of gases are re burnt for even more efficiency.
Stoves Approved by Defra Are Eco-friendly
When you choose a DEFRA approved wood-burning stove, you're selecting a source of heat that is not only ecologically responsible but also extremely efficient. This is because the second phase combustion re-burns the flue gases which results in a low emission. DEFRA approved stoves are also cost efficient because they burn fuel more efficiently, which reduces energy costs in the long run. They also come in different styles to suit every style of home from modern to traditional.
Defra approved stoves are an excellent choice for those living in Smoke Control Areas of the UK. These are typically big cities and towns where smoke emissions are a major issue. By having a DEFRA approved stove in your home you can legally burn wood and other disallowed fuels without the risk of being fined.
The top DEFRA approved stoves also come with a range of additional eco-friendly features to reduce their environmental impact. For instance, many of our stoves are SIA Ecodesign-compliant and feature a cutting-edge cleanburn technology that increases combustion efficiency and reduces emissions. The stoves also have an airwash system which keeps the glass clean, so you can enjoy your fire. They are multi-fuel, meaning you can utilize a variety fuels.
A DEFRA approved stove also has the required amount of oxygen for the wood to burn. This means that the wood will not smoulder or emit excess smoke, which is especially important in the Smoke Control Area because this could cause fines.
Apart from the advantages of using a wood burning stove in a Smoke Control Area, DEFRA approved stoves are more sustainable for the environment and most importantly, for your health. This is because ultra-fine particulate (PM2.5) can be absorbed into the lungs and is a part of the air pollution caused by solid fuels like wood. This can result in negative side effects, such as asthma symptoms or a feeling of unwellness.
Stoves Approved by Defra Are Neighbourly
If you reside in an area where smoke is controlled the DEFRA-approved stove is required. It allows you to use wood as well as other fuels that are smokeless. They are able pass strict emissions tests which limit the amount of fumes they release when they are in normal operation. If you use a non-DEFRA approved stove in a smoke-controlled area you risk breaking the law and being punished with a substantial fine.
A stove that is approved by Defra is more eco-friendly and friendly to neighbors. They don't emit a lot of smoke and if maintained properly, they will run smoothly for a long period of time, meaning that your chimney and flue system will stay more clean for a longer period of time.
Manufacturers are constantly developing their clean-burning technologies, and new stoves come with many innovative features that make them more environmentally friendly. This includes advanced secondary and tertiary combustion systems that help to ensure that all the combustible gases are fully consumed. This leads to more efficient burning which reduces emissions as well as waste.
In addition to these advancements in technology, the DEFRA approved stove will generally have a high burn rate which means that more fuel is consumed and less of it is wasted. This makes them more efficient than previous models and can result in savings for homeowners.
Defra-approved stoves are more environmentally friendly than open fires and log burners. They emit much less carbon dioxide than fossil fuels, which can aid the UK's climate change targets. In fact by burning DEFRA approved stoves , homeowners can reduce their CO2 emissions by as much as a fifth.
A DEFRA approved appliance will also typically achieve extremely low emission levels that are lower than Ecodesign standards. In 2022 new stoves will be required to comply with the Ecodesign regulations which set minimum efficiency, 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 Approved by Defra Are Smoke-Free
If you reside in an 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 the emission of smoke from a stove unless it burns an approved fuel. If you burn an unapproved fuel within a Smoke Controlled Zone and you are punished 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 & Rural Affairs) regulations. Defra is the UK department of the government that is responsible for all regulations and policies relating to rural issues, the environment and food.
Stove manufacturers manufacture both DEFRA approved and non-DEFRA stoves. The difference is that a DEFRA approved stove is modified to stop the air vents from closing down. This prevents the stove from'slumbering' which is the term used to describe when a stove re-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 redirected back into the room in the form of black smoke.
Many people are unsure whether a non-DEFRA approved stove is allowed to be used in a Smoke Controlled area. The answer is yes, but you can only legally use it to burn a list of Defra approved smokeless fuels, which is highlighted on the government's website here. This list does not include wood and if you are planning to burn wood using your new stove, you'll require a DEFRA-approved stove.
Another benefit of the DEFRA exempt stove is that it is more efficient than non-Defra certified models. DEFRA approved stoves are designed to make use of more fuel. This means that you will be able to extract more warmth from your logs or other forms of wood, which in turn will reduce your heating costs.
It is important to remember that even if a DEFRA approved stove is superior than non-DEFRA ones but it still needs to be properly maintained to keep it running efficiently. This includes regular cleaning of the flue and firebox as well as a regular inspection to ensure that the chimney and flue are free of obstructions.