Test: How Much Do You Know About Defra Exempt Wood Burner?

The Benefits of DEFRA Exempt Wood Burners

DEFRA approved wood burning stoves are a great choice for homeowners living within smoke control zones. These stoves have been tested thoroughly and are able to operate within the strict guidelines.

Stoves that have been approved will be marked with the letter 'SE', which stands for Smoke Exempt. They can be used in smoke-controlled areas, but only when burning Defra Approved Fuels, namely wood and manufactured smokeless fuels.

Smoke Exempt

DEFRA exempted stoves that burn wood or Defra-approved stoves are made to comply with the Department of Environment (DEFRA's) regulations. These stoves were inspected and tested to ensure that they burn fuel efficiently and produce very little or no smoke. They have low emissions levels and their combustion efficiency is so high that part-burnt fuels such as soot and ash are reburned before they escape through your chimney and into the atmosphere.

If you reside in an area classified as Smoke-Control Area, it is important that your stove be DEFRA exempt. It should also allow you to use authorised fuels. It is illegal to emit smoke from your chimney if you are not using an exempt device or authorised fuels. Defra exempt stoves are also more suitable for chimneys, as they burn fuel more effectively and produce less smoke, which means your chimney and flue remain cleaner for a longer period of time.

We offer a large range of Defra exempt stoves from the top manufacturers in the world including Stovax and Arada. We only offer the highest quality products and you can rest assured that your new stove will be a safe addition to your home.

There is a widespread belief that you need to buy a Defra exempt stove if you reside in a smoke control area, however this is not the case. You can still put an un-DEFRA stove in your house provided that it has a 6" (150mm) flue liner, and only use it with authorised briquettes or other smokeless fuels.

If you want to be sure that you are able to legally burn wood in your DEFRA exempt stove, then we recommend you select one of our Defra approved models. The stoves we offer were designed to meet UK standards for environmental protection. They have been tested and verified as DEFRA exempt. This means they emit a minimal amount of smoke. They are also more efficient than the older models, so you can heat the property using fewer wood logs. You can pick from a variety of Defra models in a vast range of styles and colours.

Clean Burn

Wood-burning stoves and open fires can generate smoke that can be harmful to the health of those in your home as in the area. Fine particles in the smoke can cause respiratory issues, including asthma. Modern stoves that are DEFRA-exempt are designed to reduce the harmful effects of this smoke.

These wood burners have been thoroughly tested and inspected to ensure that they are in compliance with Department of Environment regulations. They also have been designed to burn fuel more efficiently so that they emit less pollution. These stoves will also show a clear vapour coming out of the chimney instead of the dark smoke associated with older log burning stoves and open fires.

The reason why the smoke particles in these modern DEFRA exempt stoves are so lower is because they have been constructed with secondary and tertiary airflow systems. This means that the air inside the combustion chamber is continuously circulated. This makes it more difficult for the smoke particles to escape.

This means that you must only use approved fuels in your DEFRA-exempt wood stove (such seasoned dry firewood). The airflow system of these modern stoves also helps keep the combustion chamber clean, so that the buildup of soot is reduced, and gas can easily escape through the flue.

According to Defra, a new approved wood stove by DEFRA that has an EcoDesign baffle produces around 500 times less harmful emissions than the traditional log burning stove or open fire. If you reside in a Smoke Control Area, then installing one of these efficient and modern stoves is essential to protect your health and the health of your neighbors.

You can also put in a DEFRA Approved Multi-Fuel Stove and use a variety different fuels such as peat, briquettes and other manufactured solid fuels that are available in supermarkets. However, it is recommended to only use dry 'Ready Burn' seasoned wood and never burn treated or painted timber because they will create more pollutants than untreated timber.

Easy Maintenance

A DEFRA-exempt wood burning stove can be maintained easily. Regular maintenance and cleaning checks will assist in extending the lifespan of your stove. These types of stoves are also extremely efficient, allowing you to save money on your heating bills and cutting down on consumption of fuel by up to 50 percent. These stoves produce far fewer emissions than other types, and are an environmentally sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

They can be easily installed and are suitable for a variety of homes, especially in urban areas.  DEFRA approved stoves  have passed Defra testing, meaning you can legally use them in smoke control zones, without breaking the law or risking a substantial fine.

Defra-approved wood stoves can also be less expensive to operate than other stove models, thanks to their advanced combustion technology that ensures the fire burns efficiently. This means that less carbon monoxide and other particulates are released into the air. This is beneficial to your health and that of your family.

The DEFRA exempted stoves are certified by other initiatives, such as Clearskies and Ecodesign. This means that they meet strict emissions and efficiency standards. These certifications are displayed on the stoves we offer, and give you peace of mind knowing that you're purchasing a stove that is safe and environmentally sustainable.

Stoves Direct offers a large choice of stoves that are Defra exempt, including many traditional designs that work for an inglenook or fireplace chamber. We also have sleek, modern options that go well with simple mantles or surrounds. If you are thinking about buying one of our Defra exempt wood burning stoves, it is important to think about the style you would like to see in your home and how it will match with the decor.

A Defra exempt stove is the only type of stove that can legally burn in a Smoke Control Area, and it will save you from paying a fine in the event that you are caught with an illegal wood-burning fire. It's also a great option for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint as the tree that the wood is derived from absorbs CO2 as it grows, and returns this back into the atmosphere after being burned in a stove.

Smoke Control Areas Suitable

It is crucial to have a stove that burns wood that has been approved by DEFRA in UK cities and towns. This means that the stove has passed strict tests and can be legally used in these areas. These tests guarantee that the particulates of combustion generated by the stove do not contaminate the air. These toxins can create the dark smoke that is visible from chimneys within smoke control zones. They can be harmful to the health and cause annoyance to neighbours.

Local councils have therefore enacted laws to control the problem by prohibiting the use of open fireplaces as well as non-DEFRA-exempt appliances. The good news is you can still install your stove in your home as long as it is DEFRA-exempt and you only use authorised fuel.

Stoves that are approved for use in Smoke Control Zones will be marked and tested to ensure they are in compliance with the strict emission and efficiency requirements. Defra exempt stoves also tend to be more eco-friendly than other types of wood burners as they have advanced secondary and tertiary combustion systems which help reduce their carbon footprint.

You can determine if you are in a smoke-free zone by contacting your local council. You can also determine the address of your property's postcode online, but it is recommended to go to the website of your local council to find out more in-depth information since each district of the UK may be different.

Even if you're not in an area designated as a Smoke Control Area, a Defra exempt wood burning stove is a good choice as it's more environmentally and neighbour friendly. It can also mean that your chimney and flue system stays cleaner for longer too because a Defra approved stove will produce significantly less smoke than traditional stoves. The majority of the top stove manufacturers, such as Arada Burley Parkray Stovax, offer a range of smokeless models that are DEFRA exempt.