10 Quick Tips To Defra Exempt Wood Burner

The Benefits of DEFRA Exempt Wood Burners

DEFRA approved wood-burning stoves are an excellent choice for homeowners who live in smoke-control areas. These log burners have been thoroughly tested and are able to operate within strict guidelines.

Stoves that have been approved will bear the letter 'SE', which stands for Smoke Exempt. They are only permitted to be used in smoke-controlled zones when burning Defra-approved fuels that include wood or smokeless fuels.

Smoke Exempt

DEFRA exempt wood burning stoves, or Defra approved stoves are designed to conform to the Department of Environment's (DEFRA) regulations. These stoves were inspected and tested in order to ensure that they burn fuel efficiently and produce very little or Defra approved stoves no smoke. These stoves emit minimal levels of emissions and their efficiency of combustion permits them to re-burn part-burned combustibles such as soot and ash before they escape down your chimney.

If you live in an area that is classified as a Smoke-Control Area, it is important that your stove is DEFRA exempt. It should also allow you to use fuels that are authorised. It is illegal to release smoke from your chimney if you're not using an exemption appliance or fuels that are authorised. Exempt stoves that are Defra-compliant are better for your chimney as they burn fuel more cleanly and produce less smoke, so your flue and chimney stay cleaner for longer.

We offer a wide range of stoves exempt from Defra such as models from Stovax and Arada. We only provide the highest quality products and you can be confident that your new stove will be a safe and efficient addition to your home.

It is a common misconception that you must buy an exemption from Defra-compliant stove when your home is located in a smoke-control zone. This isn't the case. You can still install a non-DEFRA-compliant fireplace in your home, if it has 6" (150mm), flue liner and is only made use of briquettes that are approved by the government.

We recommend that you choose a Defra approved model if you wish to be sure that you can burn wood legally in a DEFRA-exempt stove. These stoves have been developed to meet the UK's strict environmental standards. They have also been tested and certified to be DEFRA exempt which means they only emit minimal amounts of smoke. They are also more efficient than traditional stoves, meaning you can heat your home using fewer logs. Our selection of Defra stoves are available in a variety of colours and styles, so you're sure to find the perfect model for your home.

Clean Burn

Wood-burning stoves and open flames produce smoke which can cause harm to the health of people in your home and those living close by. This is due to the fine particulates in the smoke can cause respiratory problems such as asthma. Luckily modern DEFRA exempt stoves have been designed to significantly reduce these negative impacts.

These clean burning wood burners, which are often also known as SE or Defra approved stoves, have been rigorously tested and inspected to ensure that they comply by the Department of Environmental's regulations. They are also designed to use fuel more efficiently, so that they emit less pollution. These stoves will also show an unmistakable smoke that is released from the chimney, instead of the dark smoke that is common with older log burning stoves and open fires.

Modern DEFRA-exempt stoves come with secondary and tertiary mechanisms that are responsible for the lower smoke particles. This means that the air inside the combustion chamber is continuously circulated. This makes it much harder for the particles to escape.

This also means you are able to only use fuels that are authorised in your DEFRA-exempt wood stove (such dry firewood that has been seasoned). The airflow system on these modern stoves also keeps the combustion chamber clean, so that soot build-up is minimised and gas is able to escape from the flue.

According to Defra, a brand new DEFRA-approved wood stove fitted with an EcoDesign baffle produces around 500 times less harmful emissions than traditional stoves that burn wood or open fire. Installing one of these efficient, modern stoves in a Smoke-Control Area is essential to safeguard your health as well as the health of your neighbors.

You can also install an DEFRA Approved multi-fuel stove and use a variety of different fuels, including briquettes, peat, and other types of manufactured solid fuel which are available for purchase at supermarkets. However, it is advised to only use dry 'Ready To Burn' seasoned wood, and do not burn treated or painted timber because they will create more pollution than untreated wood.

Easy Maintenance

A DEFRA-exempt stove for wood burning can be easily maintained. Regular maintenance and cleaning checks will assist in extending the lifespan of your stove. These stoves are highly efficient and can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 50%. The carbon emissions generated by these stoves are also much lower than other kinds of stoves. They also provide a greener alternative to fossil fuels.

These kinds of wood stoves are easy to set up and are suitable for homes of all sizes particularly if you live in an urban zone. The wood stoves that are available have passed Defra tests, which means you can use them legally in smoke control zones without violating the law or committing an expensive fine.

Defra-approved wood stoves can also be less expensive to operate than other stoves, due to their sophisticated combustion technology that ensures the fire burns efficiently. This means that there are fewer particles and carbon monoxide releasing into the air, which is great news for your health as well as that of your family members.

The DEFRA exempted stoves are also certified by other initiatives, such as Clearskies and Ecodesign. This means that they comply with strict standards for efficiency and emission. These certifications are visible on the stoves we sell, and give you assurance that you're buying a product that is safe and eco sustainable.

Stoves Direct offers a large choice of stoves that are Defra exempt with a variety of traditional designs that are perfect for an inglenook or a fireplace chamber. We also have modern stylish options that look fantastic with a simple fireplace surround or mantle. If you're considering buying one of our Defra-exempt wood burning stoves it's important to think about the style you'd like to have for your home, and how it'll fit with the design.

It is only possible to burn an exempt stove that is Defra-compliant in the Smoke Control Area. This will help you save money if you're caught with a wood-burning fire. The stove is also a great option for those who want to lower their carbon footprint. The wood from the tree absorbs CO2 during its growth and releases it back into the air when burned.

Suitable for Smoke Control Areas

It is essential to have a wood-burning stove that is DEFRA-approved for use in UK cities and towns. This means that the appliance has passed rigorous tests and is able to be legally used in these areas. These tests ensure that the air is not contaminated by the combustion particles created by the stove. These toxins cause the dark smoke frequently seen from chimneys in smoke control areas and could have a negative impact on health as well as creating a nuisance for neighbours.

In response local councils have enacted laws banning the use of open fires and non-DEFRA exempt appliances in these areas to address the issue. But the good news is that you are able to still put a stove in your home, provided it is DEFRA exempt and you burn authorised 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 meet or exceed strict emissions and efficiency standards. Stoves that are exempt from DEFRA certified stoves also tend to be more environmentally friendly than other types of wood burners as they have advanced secondary and tertiary combustion methods that reduce their carbon footprint.

You can determine if you live in a smoke-free area by calling your local council. You can also determine the address of your property's postcode online, however it is best to visit your local council website for more specific information as every district in the UK might be different.

Even if you're not in a Smoke Control Area, a Defra exempt wood burning stove is a wise purchase because it is more eco-friendly and friendly to neighbors. A stove that is approved by Defra will produce less smoke, which keeps your chimney and flue clean for longer. Because of this, many top stove manufacturers like Arada, Burley, Parkray and Stovax have a range of smokeless models that are DEFRA exempt and will not be affected by the new legislation.