The Benefits of DEFRA Exempt Wood Burners

DEFRA Compliant Stoves approved wood burning stoves are an excellent choice for homeowners living within smoke control zones. These particular stoves have undergone rigorous testing and are operating within the strict guidelines.

Stoves that have been approved will be marked with an '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 exempted stoves that burn wood or Defra-approved stoves are designed to comply with the Department of Environment (DEFRA's) regulations. The stoves have been tested and inspected to ensure that they use fuel more efficiently and emit little or no smoke. They emit low levels of carbon dioxide and their efficiency in combustion allows them to re-burn combustibles that have been burned partially like soot and ash before they escape up your chimney.

If you live in a large or a city town that is classified as Smoke Control Area then it is essential that your stove is DEFRA exempt and is able to be used with fuels that are authorised. Smoke emanating from your chimney is unlawful if you do not use an appliance exempt from the law, or fuels that are approved. Exempt stoves that are Defra-compliant are better for your chimney because they burn fuel more effectively and produce less smoke, which means your chimney and flue remain cleaner for a longer period of time.

We have a variety of stoves that are Defra-exempt such as the ones from Stovax and Arada. We only provide the highest quality products and you can rest assured that your new stove will be a safe and effective addition to your home.

It is a common myth that you must buy a Defra-exempt stove when your home is located within a smoke-control area. 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 can be operated with briquettes that have been approved by DEFRA.

If you want to be sure that you can legally burn wood in your DEFRA exempt stove, we suggest that you choose one of our DEFRA endorsed stoves approved models. These stoves have been developed to meet the strict environmental standards. They have also been tested and certified to be DEFRA exempt This means that they only produce small amounts of smoke. They are also more efficient than older models, which means you can heat your home with fewer wood logs. You can pick from a range of Defra models in a wide variety of colours and styles.

Clean Burn

Wood-burning stoves and open fires produce smoke which can have a negative effect on the health of those within your home as well as people living nearby. The fine particles that are present in the smoke can cause respiratory issues, including asthma. Modern DEFRA-exempt stoves are designed to minimize the harmful effects of this smoke.

These wood burners have been thoroughly tested and examined to ensure they meet Department of Environment regulations. These stoves are designed to burn fuel more efficiently which means less pollutants. These stoves also show an unmistakable smoke emanating from the chimney, instead of the dark smoke associated with older log burning stoves and open fires.

Modern DEFRA-exempt stoves come with secondary and tertiary systems which are responsible for the smoke particles that are lower. This means that the air inside the combustion chamber is constantly being circulated, which makes it much more difficult for these particles to escape into the chimney.

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

According to Defra, a new wood stove that is DEFRA-approved and has an EcoDesign baffle can produce 350 times less pollution than the traditional log burning stove or open fire. Installing one of these modern, efficient stoves in a Smoke Control Area is vital to safeguard both your health and the health of your neighbors.

You can also install an DEFRA Approved multi-fuel stove and make use of a variety of fuels, including briquettes, peat, and other types of manufactured solid fuel that can be purchased in supermarkets. It is recommended that you only burn 'Ready To Burn" dry wood that has been seasoned. Never burn treated or painted wood because they create more pollutant than untreated wood.

Easy Maintenance

A DEFRA exempt wood-burning stove is simple to maintain, with regular cleaning and maintenance routine helping to ensure it lasts for longer. These stoves are also very efficient, offering cost savings on your heating bill and cutting down on consumption of fuel by up to 50 percent. The emissions produced by these stoves are far lower than other types of stoves. They also are a greener alternative for fossil fuels.

They can be easily installed and are suitable for many homes, particularly in urban areas. The wood stoves that are available have passed Defra tests which means that you can legally use them in smoke control zones without violating the law or committing the hefty penalty.

Defra approved wood stoves are also often more affordable than other models of stoves because they feature advanced combustion technology that makes sure the fire burns efficiently. This results in less particulates and carbon monoxide releasing into the air, which is great news for your health and that of your family members.

In addition, the DEFRA exempt stoves have been certified by various initiatives such as the Clearskies scheme and Ecodesign which means they meet strict emission and efficiency standards. These certifications are visible on the stoves we sell and provide peace of mind knowing that you're buying a model that is safe and environmentally sustainable.

Stoves Direct offers a large range of stoves that are Defra-exempt, including many traditional designs that are perfect for an inglenook or a fireplace chamber. We also have modern, sleek options that can be paired with simple mantles or surrounds. If you're thinking of purchasing one our Defra-exempt wood burning stoves, you need to consider the style you want in your home, and how it'll fit with the decor.

You can only burn the stove that is exempt from DEFRA endorsed stoves in a Smoke Control Area. This will help you save money if you're confronted with a fire that is wood-burning. It is also an excellent alternative for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint, since the tree the wood comes from absorbs CO2 as it grows, and returns it back to the atmosphere when it is burned in the stove.

Smoke Control Areas Suitable

Many UK cities and towns are classified as Smoke Control Areas, so a wood-burning stove that's been DEFRA certified is essential. This means it has passed stringent tests and is safe to use in these areas. These tests guarantee that the particulates that are produced by the stove do not contaminate the air. These toxins are what cause the dark smoke that is often seen emanating from chimneys in areas of smoke control and could have a negative impact on health and also being a nuisance to neighbours.

As a result, local councils have introduced laws banning the use of open fires and non-DEFRA exempt appliances in these areas to address the issue. The good news is that you can still use your stove in your home so long as it is DEFRA compliant stoves-exempt and you use only approved fuel.

Stoves that have been approved for use in a Smoke Control Area will be marked as such and have been tested to ensure that they are in compliance with strict emissions and efficiency standards. The stoves that are exempt from Defra tend to be more eco-friendly than other types of wood burners as they are equipped with advanced secondary and tertiary systems of combustion that reduce their carbon footprint.

The simplest way to find out if you live in a zone of smoke control is to contact your local council and ask them for more information. You can also determine the address of your property's postcode online, although it is best to visit the official website of your local council to find out more in-depth information since each district of the UK might be different.

Even if you don't live in a Smoke Control Area, a Defra exempt wood-burning stove is a wise choice as it's more sustainable and friendly to neighbours. It also means that your chimney and flue system stays cleaner for longer too since a Defra approved stove produces significantly less smoke than traditional stoves. Many of the leading stove makers like Arada Burley Parkray Stovax, have a variety of smokeless models which are DEFRA exempt.