The Benefits of DEFRA Exempt Wood Burners

DEFRA approved wood-burning stoves are a great option for homeowners who live in areas with smoke control. These log burners have been tested thoroughly and can operate within the strict guidelines.

Stoves that are approved will usually be identified with the letter the letter 'SE', which means Smoke Exempt. They are able to be used in smoke controlled areas but only when burning Defra Approved Fuels which include wood and manufactured smokeless fuels.

Smoke Exempt

DEFRA exempt stoves for wood burning, or Defra approved stoves are designed to abide by the Department of Environment's (DEFRA) regulations. These stoves were inspected and tested in order to ensure that they efficiently burn fuel and produce minimal or no smoke. They emit very little carbon dioxide and their efficiency in combustion is so high that even part-burnt combustibles like ash and DEFRA list Stoves soot are reburned before they escape up your chimney and into the atmosphere.

If you live in an area that is classified as Smoke-Control Area It is essential that your stove be DEFRA exempt. It should also permit you to use fuels that are authorised. It is unlawful to emit smoke from your chimney if you're not using an exempt appliance or fuels that are authorised. Defra exempt stoves are also better for your chimney as they burn fuel more cleanly and produce less smoke, which means your chimney and flue stay cleaner for longer.

We have a great selection of Defra exempt stoves made by the top manufacturers in the world including Stovax and Arada. We only provide the highest quality products, so you can be confident that your new stove will be a safe and effective addition to your home.

There is a widespread belief that you must purchase a Defra exempt stove if you reside in a smoke control area but this isn't the situation. You can still have a non-DEFRA fireplace in your home, Defra list Stoves provided it has 6" (150mm) flue liner and is only made use of briquettes that are approved by the government.

If you want to be sure 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 designed to meet UK standards for environmental protection. They have been tested and approved as DEFRA exempt. This means they emit a minimal amount of smoke. They are also more efficient than traditional stoves, which means you can heat your home with less logs. You can pick from a selection of Defra models in a vast range of styles and colours.

Clean Burn

Wood-burning stoves and open flames emit smoke that could affect the health of people at home and people living nearby. The fine particles that are present in the smoke can trigger respiratory issues, like asthma. Luckily, modern DEFRA exempt stoves are designed to drastically reduce these harmful impacts.

These clean burning wood burners that are commonly known as SE or Defra approved stoves, have been rigorously tested and inspected to ensure they are abide by the Department of Environmental's regulations. They are also designed to burn fuel more efficiently, meaning that they emit less pollution. These stoves also show the clear smoke emanating from the chimney, instead of the dark smoke that is typical of older stoves with log burning and open fires.

The reason why the smoke particles in these modern affordable DEFRA stoves exempt stoves are so lower is due to the fact that they are designed with secondary and tertiary airflow systems. This means the air in the combustion chamber is continuously circulated. This makes it much more difficult for the smoke particles to escape.

This means that you are able to only use fuels that are authorised in your DEFRA-exempt wood stove (such seasoned dry firewood). Modern stoves come with an airflow system that keeps the combustion chamber clean, reducing soot and allowing gas to escape easily from the flue.

According to DEFRA accredited stoves the new DEFRA-approved wood stove fitted with an EcoDesign baffle produces around 350 times less pollution than a traditional log burning stove or open fire. Installing one of these modern, efficient stoves in a Smoke-Control Area is essential to safeguard both your health and the health of your neighbors.

You can also put in a DEFRA Approved Multi-Fuel Stove and make use of a variety of fuels such as peat, briquettes, and other solid fuels manufactured by companies that are sold in supermarkets. However, it is advised to only use dry 'Ready to Burn' seasoned wood, and never burn treated or painted timber since these can produce more pollutants than untreated timber.

Easy Maintenance

A DEFRA exempt wood-burning stove is simple to maintain, with regular cleaning and maintenance routine which will ensure that it lasts for longer. These types of stoves also are very efficient, offering cost savings on your heating bills and cutting down on fuel consumption by up to 50 percent. These stoves produce far fewer emissions than other stoves and are a more environmentally sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

They can be easily installed and are suitable for many homes, particularly in urban areas. They have passed Defra tests, which means they can be used legally in smoke control zones, without breaking the law or the risk of a large fine.

Defra approved wood stoves are often less expensive to run than other models of stoves because they feature advanced combustion technology that ensures that the fire burns effectively. This means less carbon monoxide, particulates and other pollutants are released into the atmosphere. This is beneficial to your health and your family's.

In addition, the DEFRA exempt stoves have been certified through various initiatives, such as the Clearskies scheme and Ecodesign which means that they meet rigorous emission and efficiency standards. These certifications are displayed on the stoves we sell and provide assurance that you're buying a model that is safe and eco green.

Stoves Direct offers a large selection of Defra-exempt stoves, including many traditional designs that work for an inglenook or fireplace chamber. We also have modern sleek models that look fantastic with a simple fireplace mantle or surround. If you are thinking about purchasing one of our Defra exempt wood burning stoves, it's important to think about the style that you would like in your home and how it will match with the interior decor.

You can only burn the stove that is exempt from Defra in a Smoke Control Area. This will save you money if you're confronted with a fire that is wood-burning. The stove is also a great choice for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint. The wood from the tree absorbs CO2 during its growth and releases it back into the atmosphere when it is burnt.

Smoke Control Areas Suitable

It is crucial to have a stove that burns wood that is DEFRA-approved for use in UK cities and towns. This means that it has passed rigorous tests and is safe to use in these areas. These tests ensure that the air is not contaminated by the combustion particles produced by the stove. These toxins can create the dark smoke seen from chimneys in smoke control zones. They are harmful to health and a nuisance for neighbours.

Local councils have therefore introduced laws to address the issue by prohibiting the use open fireplaces as well as non-DEFRA-exempt appliances. The good news is you can still install your stove in your home so long as it's DEFRA exempt and you only use approved fuel.

Stoves that have been approved to be used in Smoke Control Areas will be inspected and marked to ensure that they meet or surpass strict emission and efficiency standards. The stoves that are Defra-exempt are also more sustainable compared to other types of woodburners, as they use advanced secondary and tertiary burning systems which reduce their carbon footprint.

You can find out if you live in a smoke-free zone by contacting your local council. You can also find out by looking at your property's postcode online, although it is best to visit the official website of your local council for more detailed information as every district of the UK may be different.

Even if you do not live in an area designated as a Smoke Control Area, a Defra list stoves exempt wood burning stove is a smart purchase because it is more environmentally and neighbour friendly. A stove that is Defra-approved will also produce less smoke, which keeps your chimney and flue clean for a longer time. This is why the majority of major stove manufacturers like Arada, Burley, Parkray and Stovax offer smokeless models that are DEFRA exempt and won't be affected by the new legislation.