Choosing a Defra Approved Woodburner
Defra-approved stoves are becoming more popular. You can avoid a significant fine if you reside in a smoke-control area. They also offer other advantages.
The majority of woodburners that are approved by Defra have an upgraded top-air control, which prevents you from shutting it completely that would cut off oxygen supply to the fire. This stops the fuel from burning or generating smoke.
What is a DEFRA Approved Stove?
When buying a woodburning or multi-fuel stove it is important to select one that is DEFRA certified, which means it has passed stringent tests designed by the Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). These tests are developed to ensure that the appliance is compliant with the laws governing smoke emissions. DEFRA approved stoves emit less smoke than woodburning stoves or multifuel stoves, which is why they can be utilized in Smoke Control Areas.
A Defra approved stove is also referred to as a Smoke Exempt Stove. In a lot of cases these models will be marked with the letter 'SE', which stands for Smoke Exempt. This signifies that the stove has been tested and passed the test which was developed by the UK government's DEFRA and this test measures emission levels and the amount of smoke that is produced during normal operation. The stoves that are Defra Exempt can be used in a Smoke Control Area and are often equipped with a 5 inch chimney liner to facilitate the burning of wood (provided that the manufacturer does not insist on a larger diameter) when this is in compliance with Building Regulations.
Even if you do not reside in a Smoke-Control Area and you are not in a Smoke-Control Area, a Defra- stove is a wise choice. They are more environmentally friendly and neighbor friendly. They emit less carbon dioxide that can cause nuisance smoke in the air. Your flue and chimney will remain cleaner as they only require dry wood that's not been cut or split in recent times.
Bowland Stoves offers a range of Defra-approved stoves that are available in a variety of designs. These are perfect for those who wish to heat their homes in an eco friendly manner. We also have models that are dual-fuel meaning you can use stoves to heat your home and produce domestic hot water simultaneously.
If you reside in a large town or city that has been designated as a Smoke Control Area then you'll need a Defra-approved Stove or Smoke Exempt Stove to comply with the law and avoid heavy fines. These stoves have been modified to meet the ultra low emissions standards laid out by the UK government. They will often have a second phase of combustion which ensures that waste products in the form of gasses are re burnt for even more efficiency.
Defra-approved stoves are eco-friendly
When you choose a DEFRA approved wood-burning stove, you are choosing a heat source that is not just environmentally sustainable but also extremely efficient. This is because of the second phase of combustion, which burns flue gases again, resulting in minimal emissions. DEFRA approved stoves are also cost-effective because they make use of fuel more efficiently, thus reducing energy consumption in the long run. They are also available in various styles that can be adapted to any style of home from contemporary to traditional.
Defra approved stoves are also an excellent choice for those living in Smoke Control Areas of the UK. These are generally large towns and cities where smoke emissions can be a problem. By having a DEFRA approved stove in your home you can legally burn wood and other disallowed fuels without the risk of facing fines.
The top DEFRA approved stoves also have various eco-friendly features to reduce their environmental impact. A majority of our stoves, for instance they are SIA Ecodesign-compliant and feature an advanced cleanburn system that increases combustion efficiency while reducing emissions. They also have an airwash system that keeps the glass clean so that you can have a clear view of your fire and they're multi-fuel, so you can burn a broad range of fuels.
Another way a DEFRA approved stove is eco-friendly is that they are constructed to provide the minimum amount of oxygen for the wood to burn properly. This guarantees that the wood won't smoke or release excessive smoke. This is important in Smoke Control areas as it could cause fines.
Aside from the benefits of using a wood burning stove in a Smoke Control Area, DEFRA approved stoves are better for the environment and more importantly for your health. This is because ultra-fine particulate (PM2.5) can be absorbed into the lungs, and is part of the pollution caused by solid fuels like wood. This can trigger a range of adverse side effects, such as asthma symptoms and a feeling being unwell.
Stoves Approved by Defra Are neighbour-friendly
A DEFRA approved stove is a must if you reside in a smoke-free area as it will allow you to burn wood as well as other approved smokeless fuels. This is due to their ability to pass rigorous emissions tests which restrict the amount of smoke they produce in their normal use. If you use an non-approved stove in a smoking-free area you could be in violation of the law. You could also be facing an enormous fine.
A stove that is approved by Defra is more eco-friendly and friendly to neighbors. They do not produce any nuisance smoke, and if properly maintained, they will last for a long period of time. This will keep your chimney and flue in good condition for longer.
Stove manufacturers are continually improving their clean burning technology and new stoves are now equipped with an array of ingenuous features that make them green. They include advanced secondary and third-generation combustion systems, which work to ensure all combustible gasses are used up. This leads to an efficient burn, which reduces emissions and waste.
A DEFRA-approved cooktop will also have a high burning rate which means less fuel is wasted and more is utilized. This makes them more efficient than earlier stoves, and results in savings for homeowners.
Defra approved stoves are more environmentally responsible than traditional open fires or log burners. They emit less carbon dioxide than fossil fuels, and thus aid the UK's climate change targets. By burning DEFRA-approved cooking stoves, homeowners can reduce their CO2 emissions by as much as 5 percent.
In addition to being more efficient, it is also more efficient. A DEFRA approved stove can often be able to attain extremely low levels of emissions which are far superior to the ones required for Ecodesign. In 2022, new stoves must be compliant with Ecodesign regulations that establish minimum efficiency standards and introduce ceilings for NOX and OGV (not currently in place) and emissions limits for all woodburning devices. These limits will be much stricter than the DEFRA exemption ceiling currently in place.
Stoves that are Defra-approved are Smoke Exempt
It is essential to verify that your wood stove is Defra-exempt if you reside or plan to move to an area designated as a Smoke Controlled Area. This is because the law bans emissions of smoke from the stove unless it is burning an approved fuel. Using an unapproved fuel in a Smoke Controlled area can result in fines up to PS1000.
A Defra exempt stove is a wood-burning multi-fuel stove that has been tested and cleared the Defra (Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) regulations. Defra is the UK department of the government that is responsible for all regulations and policies relating to the environment, rural issues and food.
Stove manufacturers make DEFRA approved and non-DEFRA stoves. The DEFRA stoves have been modified so that the air vents are not able to be closed. This prevents the stove from sleeping, which is the term used to describe when stoves reopen their air vents at night to allow the fuel to to burn slowly. The re-opening of the air vents causes part-burned combustibles to be released back into the room in the form black smoke.
Many people are confused about whether a non DEFRA approved stove can be installed in an area that is smoke-free. Yes, but you are only able to legally use it to burn a list of Defra approved smokeless fuels that is available on the official website of the government here. Unfortunately, wood isn't included on this list therefore if you wish to be capable of burning wood in your new stove then you need to get yourself a DEFRA approved stove.
A DEFRA exempted stove is more efficient than models that aren't DEFRA approved. DEFRA approved stoves are built to use more fuel. DEFRA regulations stoves means that you'll be able to extract more heat from your logs or other types of wood, which will reduce your heating costs.
Even though a DEFRA-approved stove is superior to stoves that are not DEFRA-approved in terms of efficiency, it must be maintained in a proper manner in order to ensure it continues perform efficiently. This includes cleaning the firebox, flue and checking that the chimney is free of obstructions.