The Benefits of DEFRA Exempt Wood Burners

DEFRA approved wood-burning stoves are an excellent option for homeowners who live in smoke-control areas. These particular stoves have been tested thoroughly and are able to function within strict regulations.

Stoves that have been approved will often be branded with the letter 'SE', which means Smoke Exempt. They are only permitted to be used in smoke-controlled areas when burning Defra approved fuels such as wood or manufactured smokeless fuels.

Smoke Exempt

DEFRA exempt stoves for wood burning or Defra approved stoves are designed to comply with the Department of Environment's (DEFRA) regulations. The stoves have been tested and examined to ensure that they use fuel more efficiently and produce minimal or no smoke. They have low emissions levels, and their combustion efficiency is so high that even part-burnt combustion products like soot and ash are reburned prior to allowing them to escape up your chimney and out into the atmosphere.

If you reside in a city or large town that is classified as Smoke Control Area then it is essential that your stove is DEFRA exempt and can be used with authorised fuels. It is illegal to release smoke from your chimney if you are not using an exempt appliance or authorised fuels. Defra exempt stoves are also more suitable for chimneys, because they burn fuel more efficiently and produce less smoke meaning your chimney and flue remain cleaner for defra Exempt stoves longer.

We offer a large choice of Defra exempt stoves made by the world's leading manufacturers, including Stovax and Arada. We only offer the highest quality products and you can rest assured that your new stove will be safe and a reliable addition to your home.

It is a common misconception that you have to purchase a Defra-exempt stove if your home is in a smoke-control zone. It's not the case. You can still put an un-DEFRA stove in your house provided that it is fitted with an 6" (150mm) flue liner, and only use it with authorised briquettes or other smokeless fuels.

If you want to ensure that you are allowed to legally burn wood in your DEFRA exempt stove, then we suggest that you select one of our Defra approved models. These stoves were developed to comply with UK standards for environmental sustainability. They have been tested and approved as DEFRA exempt. This means that they produce minimal smoke. They are also more efficient than older models, so you can heat the property using fewer wood logs. You can pick from a selection of Defra models in a wide variety of colours and styles.

Clean Burn

Open fires and wood-burning stoves can generate smoke that can be hazardous to the health of those living in your home as well the people who live nearby. Fine particles in the smoke can trigger respiratory problems, such as asthma. Fortunately, modern DEFRA exempt stoves have been designed to greatly reduce the harmful effects.

These wood burners have been thoroughly tested and examined in order to ensure they comply with the Department of Environment regulations. These stoves are designed to burn fuel more efficiently, resulting in fewer pollutants. They also emit a clear vapour instead of the dark smoke typically associated with older open fires and log burning stoves.

The reason that the smoke particles in these modern DEFRA exempt stoves are so lower is due to the fact that they are designed with secondary and tertiary airflow systems. This means that the air within the combustion chamber is constantly being circulated, making it more difficult for the particles to escape the chimney.

This also means that you can only burn authorised fuels on your DEFRA exempt wood stove (such as dry seasoned firewood). The airflow system on these modern stoves also keeps the combustion chamber clean so that the build-up of soot is minimized, and gas can easily escape through the flue.

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

You can also put in an DEFRA Approved Multi-Fuel Stove and make use of a variety of fuels like peat, briquettes and other solid fuels made by manufacturers that are available in supermarkets. However, it is recommended to only use dry 'Ready To Burn' seasoned wood, and do not burn treated or painted timber because they will create more pollutants than untreated wood.

Easy Maintenance

A DEFRA exempt wood-burning stove is simple to maintain, with a regular cleaning and maintenance routine making sure it lasts for longer. These types of stoves also are very efficient, providing savings on your heating bills and reduce your consumption of fuel by up to 50%. The emissions produced by these stoves are much lower than other kinds of stoves, and they are a greener alternative for fossil fuels.

These types of wood stoves are easy to set up and are suitable for homes of all sizes, especially if you live in an urban zone. They have passed the Defra tests, which means you can legally use them in smoke control areas without violating the law or committing the hefty penalty.

Defra approved wood stoves are often less expensive to run than other stoves due to their advanced combustion technology that ensures that the fire burns efficiently. This results in fewer particulates and carbon monoxide releasing into the air, which is good news for your health and that of your family members.

Additionally, the DEFRA exempt stoves have been inspected by various initiatives such as the Clearskies scheme and Ecodesign which means they meet strict emission and efficiency standards. These certifications are advertised on the stoves that we sell, and provide you with peace of mind that you are purchasing an environmentally-friendly and safe model.

You can find a wide range of Defra exempt stoves at Stoves Direct, including many classic styles that are ideal for an inglenook fireplace, or a fireplace chamber. We also offer modern, sleek designs that go well with simple mantles or surrounds. If you're thinking of buying one of our Defra exempt wood burning stoves, it's important to think about the style you would like to see in your home and how it will blend with the interior decor.

A Defra exempt stove is the only kind of log burner that you can legally burn in a Smoke Control Area, and it can help you avoid paying a fine in the event that you find yourself in the middle of a illegal wood-burning fire. The stove is also a great choice for those looking to cut down their carbon footprint. The wood of the tree absorbs CO2 during its growth and releases it back into the air when burned.

Smoke Control Areas Suitable

It is essential to have a wood-burning stove that is DEFRA-approved for use in UK cities and towns. This means that the stove has passed rigorous tests and is able to be legally used in these areas. These tests ensure that the particulates that are produced by the stove will not contaminate the air. These toxins can cause the dark smoke visible from chimneys within smoke zones of control. They are harmful to health and cause annoyance to neighbours.

In the wake of this, local councils have introduced laws that ban the use of open fires and non-DEFRA exempt appliances in these areas to manage the problem. However, the good news is that you can still install an appliance in your home if it's DEFRA exempt and you burn approved fuel.

Stoves that have been approved for use in a Smoke Control Area will be marked as in the Smoke Control Area and have been tested to make sure that they are in compliance with strict emissions and efficiency standards. Defra exempt stoves also tend to be more eco-friendly than other kinds of wood burners because they feature advanced secondary and tertiary systems of combustion that reduce their carbon footprint.

The easiest way to find out whether you live in a smoke-free zone is to contact your local council and ask for more details. You can also find out the address of your property's postcode online, however it is recommended to go to the website of your local council for more specific information as every district in the UK may be different.

Even if you don't reside in an area designated as a Smoke Control Area a Defra-exempt wood burning stove will still be an investment worth making. It is more eco friendly and also more considerate of neighbors. A stove that is approved by Defra will produce less smoke, which keeps your chimney and flue clear for longer. Most leading stove manufacturers like Arada Burley Parkray Stovax, have a variety of smokeless models that are DEFRA exempt.