Choosing a Defra Approved Woodburner
Defra-approved cooktops are becoming increasingly popular. They can assist you in avoiding a substantial fine if you live in a smoke control area and provide other benefits too.
Most Defra approved woodburners will come with a modified top air control that stops you closing it completely down which would cut off the oxygen supply to the fire. This stops the fire from smoldering or producing smoke.
What is a DEFRA approved stove?
When you are buying a woodburning or multi fuel stove, it is crucial to choose one that has been DEFRA certified, which means it has passed the stringent tests formulated by the Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). These tests are designed to ensure that the appliance is compliant with laws regarding smoke emissions. DEFRA approved stoves have been proven 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 referred to as a "Smoke Exempt" Stove. In many instances models, these stoves are identified with a 'SE' that signifies Smoke Exempt. This means that the stove has passed an examination conducted by DEFRA the UK government. The test tests the emissions levels and the amount of smoke produced in normal operation. Defra exempt stoves are allowed to be used in a Smoke Control Area and can be fitted with the chimney lining of 5 inches for wood burning (provided the manufacturer doesn't demand having a larger diameter) provided that this is in compliance with Building Regulations.
Even if you do not reside in a Smoke-Control Area selecting a Defra-approved stove is a great option. They are more eco sustainable and also more friendly to neighbors. They produce less emissions that can cause nuisance smoke in the air. Your flue and chimney will remain cleaner for longer because they can only use dry wood that's not been cut or split recently.
Bowland Stoves offers a range of Defra-approved stoves available in a number of styles. These are perfect for those who wish to heat their homes in an environmentally sustainable manner. We also stock a number of stoves that have dual fuel, which means you can use them to heat your home while producing domestic hot water at the same time.
If you 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 laws and avoid heavy penalties. The stoves have been redesigned to meet the ultra low emissions standards laid out by the UK government and they will typically have a second stage of combustion, which ensures that the waste products in the form of gasses are re burned for greater efficiency.
Stoves that are Defra-approved are Eco-friendly
If you select a DEFRA approved wood-burning stove, you are selecting a source of heat that is not only ecologically responsible but also extremely efficient. This is due to the second phase of combustion which is re-burning flue gases, resulting in minimal emissions. DEFRA approved stoves are also cost effective because they make use of fuel more efficiently, thus reducing the cost of energy in the long run. They are also available in a variety of styles that can be adapted to any home aesthetic from modern to traditional.
Smoke Control Areas in the UK are another excellent place to purchase Defra-approved stoves. 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 facing fines.
The most efficient DEFRA approved stoves also feature an array of eco-friendly features that further reduce their environmental impact. For example, many of our stoves are SIA Ecodesign compliant, and come with a state-of-the-art 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 choose from a variety of fuels.
A DEFRA approved stove also provides the necessary amount of oxygen for the wood to burn. This ensures that the wood doesn't smoke or release excessive smoke. This is crucial in Smoke Control Areas as it can lead to fines.
In addition to the advantages of using a wood-burning stove within a Smoke Control Area, DEFRA approved stoves are better for the environment and most 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, such as wood. This can trigger a range of adverse consequences, such as asthma symptoms and the feeling of being sick.
Stoves that are Defra approved are neighbour friendly
A DEFRA approved stove is a must when you live in a smoke control zone since it allows you to burn wood as well as a variety of other approved smokeless fuels. This is because they are able to pass stringent emissions tests which restrict the amount of smoke they release during their normal operation. If you do not use a DEFRA approved stove in a smoke-controlled zone, you could be violating the law and getting hit with a hefty fine.
A Defra approved stove is significantly more eco-friendly and neighbour friendly. They don't produce any noxious smoke, and when properly maintained, they will last for a long time. This will keep your chimney and flue clean for longer.
Stove manufacturers are constantly advancing their technology for clean burning and new stoves are now equipped with an array of ingenuous features that make them eco-friendly. These include advanced third-generation and secondary combustion systems, which help to ensure all combustible gasses are absorbed. This results in an efficient burning process which reduces emissions and waste products.
In addition to these technological advancements, an DEFRA approved stove will usually have a higher burn rate which means that more fuel is used up and less wasted. This makes them much more efficient than older stoves, and results in savings for homeowners.
Defra-approved stoves are more environmentally sustainable than open flames and log burners. They emit significantly fewer carbon dioxide emissions than fossil fuels, which helps to contribute towards the UK's climate change goals. In fact by burning DEFRA approved stoves homeowners can cut their CO2 emissions by nearly a fifth.
As well as being more efficient and more efficient, a DEFRA approved stove will often be able to attain extremely low levels of emissions which are even better than the ones required for Ecodesign. In 2022, all new stoves must comply with Ecodesign regulations that set minimum efficiency standards and introduce ceilings for OGV and NOX (not currently in place) as well as emissions limits for all wood burning devices. These limits will be much more strict then the DEFRA exemption ceiling currently in place.
Smoke Exemption for Stoves Approved by Defra
If you reside in an Smoke Controlled area or plan to move into one, it is essential to ensure that your new wood burner is Defra exempt. The law prohibits the release of smoke from a wood stove, unless it is burning an approved fuel. If you use unapproved fuel within a Smoke Controlled Zone, you could be punished to the tune of 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, is responsible for all policies and regulations relating to food, rural issues, and the environment.
Manufacturers of stoves make DEFRA-approved and non-DEFRA models. The DEFRA stoves have been altered to ensure that the air vents can't be shut. This prevents a stove from sleeping which is the term used to describe when a stove opens its air intakes at night to allow the fuel to burn slowly. The reopening of the vents causes the combustibles that are partially burned to be sent out into the air as black smoke.
Many people are confused about whether a stove that is not DEFRA approved can be used in a Smoke Controlled area. The answer is yes, but you can only legally use it to burn the list of Defra approved smokeless fuels, which is listed on the official website here. The list does not include wood and if you are planning to burn wood on your new stove, you will need a DEFRA-approved stove.
A DEFRA exempted stove is more efficient than stoves that are not DEFRA approved. DEFRA approved stoves are designed to burn more fuel. This means that you will be able to extract more heat from your logs or other forms of wood, which in turn can reduce the cost of heating.
Even though a DEFRA-approved stove is superior to non-DEFRA models in terms of efficiency, it must be maintained in a proper manner to ensure that it continues to perform efficiently. DEFRA list stoves includes cleaning the flue, cleaning the firebox and checking that the chimney is free of obstructions.