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Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner Most UK cities and towns are classified as Smoke Control Areas so if you reside in one and would like to install a wood burning stove, then you need a Defra exempt stove. You can identify them through their approved logo from the Defra. Defra exempt stoves are built to stop the fire from smouldering which reduces the amount of smoke produced. They also burn fuel better. What is a Defra Exempt Stove? A Defra Exempt stove is a wood-burning domestic heating appliance that has passed the tests set out by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Defra Exempt label is applied to stoves that have been tested independently and meet the strict criteria for emissions. The stoves that are Defra Exempt can be used in Smoke Control Areas. You can't burn wood without a DEFRA approved stove when you live in an area where smoke is controlled. Installing the use of a non DEFRA approved stove in the smoke control zone is a violation of the Clean Air Act. You could be charged. There is little difference from the outside between an appliance that is Defra approved stove and one that doesn't have this status. However, there are some things that stove manufacturers do in order to make their appliances DEFRA Exempt. The DEFRA approved stoves have burners that are not designed to deprive flames of oxygen. This could cause them to smolder or create excessive amounts of smoke. To prevent this manufacturers will alter the air vent at the top of a stove that is Defra approved. This will prevent you from being able shut the vent completely, since this could cut off the air supply to the fire. The adjustment is often located inside the top front of the stove, below the base of the stove or on the back of the stove. Stoves that are Defra Exempt can be multifuel stoves and may therefore be used to burn different kinds of fuels along with wood. This is a great option for people who reside in areas that are designated as Smoke Control Areas and do not want to restrict their usage to only authorised fuels. Some stoves that have Defra exemptions can be equipped with a 5” liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer doesn't insist on a bigger size). This is good news for people who are planning on installing wood-burning stoves into their homes but are worried about the local regulations regarding smoke. What are the benefits of a Defra-Approved Stove? In addition to ensuring compliance with local regulations and supplying warmth and a cozy fire, Defra approved stoves can provide many other advantages. They tend to be more energy efficient than non-Defra stoves, and can reduce the amount of carbon produced. This can lead to significant savings on your heating bills. Stoves that are approved by Defra are also simpler to use and have easier controls than non-approved stoves. There are many factors to take into consideration when purchasing a wood-burning stove or multi-fuel. These include your heating requirements, aesthetic preferences, and your long-term goals. It is crucial to take these factors into consideration when selecting the right stove, and opting for a stove that is exempt from defra is an excellent choice for those who live in smoke controlled areas. They have been thoroughly tested and are in compliance with strict environmental guidelines, and can help to minimise the impact that your stove will have on the environment. In addition to complying with environmental standards, Defra approved stoves are also designed to provide better combustion and flame spread. This ensures that the fuel burns evenly, producing a more pleasant and consistent flame. They are also more durable than non Defra approved stoves. This means they can withstand higher temperatures and last longer. Most stoves that are Defra-approved are able to use a 5 inch liner for chimneys. This is ideal for homes in areas that are smoke-free. It is important to remember that if you intend to use your stove with damp wood or other damp fuels the stove will still emit toxic fumes that could result in a prosecution from the local authorities. In order to achieve Defra approval, stove manufacturers must make changes to the appliance to limit how much air it will be deprived of during the burning process. Typically, the top air control will be altered to prevent it from being shut completely. If you close the air supply too much it could cause the stove to smolder instead of properly burning. This will lead to unpleasant smoke. What is the difference between a Defra approved stove and a non-Defra certified stove? The most obvious difference is that a defra-approved stove is able to legally burn wood in a Smoke Control Area, whereas a non-defra exempt stove will not be able to. Stoves that are Defra-approved have passed tests that show they are able to burn wood safely and efficiently in smoke-controlled areas, without producing excessive amounts of smoke. If you reside in an area which is smoke-free then you can use the new stove without fear of penalties. A Defra-approved stove is also more efficient in terms of energy consumption than other types that produce more heat while emitting less harmful carbon dioxide into the air. This makes them an excellent option for homeowners looking to save money on heating costs and are concerned about the environment. Stoves that are Defra approved will typically be advertised with the Defra Approved logo which is well-known and is widely used by the stove industry. You can also check whether the stove is Defra exempt by examining the specification details or by visiting the manufacturer's website for more information on it. When you are choosing a Defra approved stove, it is essential to think about the style you prefer because there are a variety of choices available. Some of these are more traditional and look beautiful in an old fireplace, or inglenook. Others are more modern in style and would be a great fit for a more contemporary living space. Verify that the stove is Defra-exempt. It should be on the DEFRA list of approved appliances, or bear the DEFRA logo. Many manufacturers advertise their stoves as being Defra exempt, even though they haven't been tested to show it. It is easier to sell a Clean Burn stove than to test and go through the expense of becoming Defra-exempt. A stove that has been Defra exempt will ensure that the wood that is used to power it is sourced sustainably and properly dried, seasoned and before being burned. This will mean that it will not produce large quantities of smoke, which is beneficial to the environment and also helps keep the chimneys and flue systems in good condition for longer. What is the difference between a Defra Exempt Stove vs. A Non-Defra Exempt Stove? You'll need to consider a number of aspects when selecting the best stove for you home. These include style, heat output, and the type of fuel. You might be aware that a number of the wood-burning and multi fuel stoves available on our site are described as being DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. This is jargon that, to the average homeowner, might seem like nothing more than a marketing jargon but it has extremely important implications for those who live in smoke-free areas. In order to comply with the laws that ban the sale of wood in Smoke Control Areas, Defra exempt wood burners are designed with an internal mechanism that stops you from closing the air supply valve completely. This is because if you decrease the flow of air to the fire, the wood will start to smolder and release excess smoke, which could be in breach of the law. To prevent this from happening ensure that your wood is dried thoroughly before you put it in the stove. You can also use an exempt DEFRA wood burner in a Smoke Control Area, if you only use the approved fuels on the DEFRA site. This includes anthracites, semi-anthracites, gas, and low volatile steam coal. If you install a non-DEFRA stove in your house and burn wet wood or other fuels that aren't on the DEFRA's list, you could be subject to penalties of up to PS1000. Even if web link don't reside in a Smoke Control Area or Smoke Control Zone, the DEFRA exempt wood burner is an option to consider as they are usually more environmentally and neighbour friendly since they can be operated without creating polluting smoke. They also tend to be more efficient and will keep your chimney and flue system clean for longer. However, it should be noted that by 2022 all new stoves have to meet the stricter Ecodesign regulations which set minimum efficiencies OGV and NOX ceilings and have emissions limits that are significantly higher than those currently in use for DEFRA exempt appliances.