What is a Defra Log Burner?

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) regulates the emissions of smoke from wood burning stoves. There are regulations that ban chimney smoke in Smoke Control Areas in the event that you are using an exempt appliance or defra List stoves fuel with a valid license.

The new regulations limit the amount stoves can emit smoke to 3g/hour. If homeowners fail to adhere to the new rules, they could be fined immediately. To avoid this, you must only use log burners approved by Defra and burn kiln dried wood that is marked with the 'Ready to Burn" label.

What is a Defra certified stove?

A Defra approved stove is an appliance that has been passed by the DEFRA test and is exempt from the laws of areas of smoke control to burn wood (and other fuels that are authorised). The Defra logo is well-known within the industry. Stoves that are Defra approved usually have SE (Smoke Exempt) in their name as a quick way to recognise them.

The Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs must test stoves that have been Defra approved to ensure they comply with strict emission standards. These tests are designed to ensure that stoves deliver the highest heat output and have ultra low levels of smoke emissions. The low emissions are typically achieved by ensuring combustion gases are reburned during the second burning. This is important as it allows the combustion to continue at a high rate while reducing the amount of combustibles emitted into atmosphere.

DEFRA exempt stoves are more eco-friendly than other wood burners as they limit the amount of part-burnt combustibles that are released into the chimney. Contrary to some stoves that have to shut the air vents in order to allow them to sleep overnight, Defra exempt stoves always keep their flue open, meaning they are much less likely to release part-burnt combustibles down the chimney, where they may block it.

You can purchase an approved Defra wood-burning stove regardless of whether you reside in a smoke-free area or not. It will make your neighbors happy and will keep your chimney clean for longer. You can buy Defra exempt stoves in a variety of styles and there are a lot of options to suit both modern and traditional homes.

The sleek minimalist design is a major aspect when choosing a Defra-approved wood burning stove. These stoves are great for contemporary living spaces. They can be placed inside a fireplace chamber, inglenooks, or they can be freestanding. There are many modern stoves such as the Aarrow i400 or the minimal Farringdon that will look fantastic in any room. You can also find Defra-exempt stoves in traditional styles such as the Saxon A08E and the Arizona A08E.

What is an Defra exempt stove?

A Defra Exempt or Defra Approved Stove is a wood burning stove that has been inspected and approved by the government's defra list stoves department to be used in Smoke Control Areas. The Defra stoves have been developed to produce a minimum amount of smoke and harmful emissions as well as a high degree of heat to your home.

The primary reason you require a Defra stove is that if your home is located in a Smoke Control Area then you won't be able to legally install any wood-burning or multifuel stove that hasn't been approved by DEFRA. You could face a hefty fine if you install a non-Defra approved stove in your home.

Defra approved stoves have been able to have their combustion air system adjusted to limit the amount oxygen that can get to the wood burning process. Modifying the top air vent is the way to do this. This means that the stove will allow a tiny amount of air to pass through even if you shut the vent all the way. This stops the firewood from smouldering and also prevents it from becoming thirsty for air.

From the outside of an Defra stove, you won't be able to discern that there is anything different from any other wood-burning stove. The adjustment for combustion air is hidden beneath the base of the wood stove or in the top of the front.

The majority of Defra Stoves are only approved to burn wood or certain types of smokeless fuels such as Homefire brand smokeless charcoal, anthracite etc. However there are a variety of Defra stoves that are multi-fuel approved and are able to burn a variety of different fuels.

You may choose a Defra Stove for many reasons, regardless whether you reside in a zone of smoke control or not. Defra stoves are more sustainable for the environment, they produce less smoke and help keep your chimney free of accumulated. They are also better because they produce more heat and release fewer toxins into the air.

What is an Smoke Control Exempt Stove?

A Defra stove, also referred to as a Defra exempt stove or Defra smoke control certified wood burning stove is a stove that has passed a rigorous test developed by the UK government's Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (defra burning mdf). This test evaluates the amount of smoke and emissions that the stove produces in all phases of normal operation. Only stoves that pass the Defra test are able to be used within Smoke Control Areas in large cities and towns.

The test also confirms that the stove can be used with approved fuels, including smokeless coal and anthracite. A log burner that is Defra-certified is also more environmentally friendly and helps avoid annoying neighbours with nuisance emissions.

The combustion air control of wood burners that have been approved by Defra has been modified. This is usually done inside the firebox, or on the top of the stove. This modification stops users from closing the air control completely, because this could dehydrate the stove and cause it produce excessive amounts of smoke.

To keep a Defra approved or Defra-exempt stove functioning properly, it must be maintained regularly. This includes cleaning the chimney and flue regularly and ensuring there aren't any obstructions, making sure the firebox and grate are clean and the flow of air through the chimney free from restrictions.

While it isn't a legal requirement to have a Defra exempt stove, especially in the absence of the Smoke Control Area it is recommended to buy one because they are much more efficient than models that are not Defra approved and will save you money on fuel costs over the long term. A Defra approved appliance can also reduce the amount of smoke and dust that is emitted in your home, which is better for your health and your neighbours.

At Nordpeis we offer a variety of DEFRA approved stoves that come in contemporary and traditional designs. Varde retailers can help you determine if your home is located in a Smoke Control Area.

What is a Clean Burn Technology Stove?

Clean Burn Technology is the way forward for stoves and fires, and gives you a more refined burn. This means a reduced amount of dust that is blown into the air which is good for the environment and saves the cost of fuel since you can are able to get more heating from the same logs. These stoves are so efficient that they have lowered the necessity for chimney sweeps since there is less soot to be produced. As leading stove manufacturers continue to develop their products, they have incorporated secondary or tertiary burning systems that further reduce emissions and lower the carbon footprint of their users.

A Defra approved stove is not just suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, but can also be installed in a properly constructed, lined chimney system for any home. These multi-fuel and wood burning stoves come in a range of styles to match your personal preferences. There are both contemporary and traditional options available in a wide range of colours and finishes to match your decor. The stoves are also available in a variety of sizes, so that you can find the perfect one to fit your fireplace's inglenook or fireplace chamber.

All Defra approved stoves have undergone rigorous tests and examinations to ensure they abide by the Department of Environment Regulations and have low emission levels and high combustion efficiency to ensure you can be assured you are burning your fuel in an environmentally responsible way and saving money on heating expenses too. Making sure you use only dry kiln dried wood that is ready to burn will further improve the efficiency of your stove and help in reducing its emissions.

Buying a Defra Approved stove is a excellent option when you reside in a smoke-free area and want to continue to enjoy the warm, cozy warmth that only a real wood stove can offer. Many of our customers who have purchased a Defra stove are already reaping the benefits of a cleaner atmosphere and have noticed savings on their fuel bills. We recommend that your stove is professionally installed by a gas engineer who is certified to do the job. This will ensure that the stove is in compliance with all requirements for building. It is important to have your stove inspected and serviced on a regular basis to maintain optimum performance and to avoid the need for costly repairs in the future.