15 Reasons To Love Defra Stove
Choosing a Defra Approved Or Smoke Exempt Stove
If you live in a Smoke Controlled zone, then selecting a DEFRA Approved or Smoke Exempt stove is vital. Not only do they conform with building regulations, they also guarantee that you are able to legally burn wood and multi fuel in your home.
Stove manufacturers are constantly improving their products with secondary and tertiary systems of combustion that reduce emissions and the user's carbon footprint.
Defra Approved
If you live in an area that is smoke controlled, you will need an approved stove from the defra. The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has passed laws that prohibit the release of dark smoke in smoke-controlled areas which includes the majority of large cities and towns. The stoves that are Defra approved have been subject to rigorous tests and examinations to ensure they are in compliance with the law. They are specifically designed to burn fuel more efficiently and produce a lot less pollutants. This makes them a much better option for both you and your neighbors as the lower amount of smoke they create means that nuisance levels of smoke will be reduced to an absolute minimum. Stoves that are Defra Approved will also have the logo and the words defra exempt or SE (smoke exempt) in their title and specification.
The majority of wood burning and multi-fuel stoves that we sell are approved by the Defra. This is because we always try to source the best quality products and we wish our customers to be able to get the most value from their stove. Defra-approved stoves are more efficient than non-approved models, which means that they will create significantly less particulate matter. This is in turn, reducing the amount of dark smoke that is produced. Defra approved stoves also have a an extra robust firebox, which is yet another way they can help to reduce smoke emissions.
Defra approved appliances will not just reduce the amount of smoke that is produced, but also ensure that the combustion air remains constant throughout the entire burning process. This prevents the stove from becoming starved of air, which causes it to smoulder or emit dark smoke. The majority of stove manufacturers are now incorporating Defra Approved models into their product lines because they are becoming increasingly well-known.
Defra approved fireplaces are an excellent choice for people living in smoke control zones. They are also a great choice for anyone who wants to increase the efficiency, safety and release of toxic substances into the air. These stoves are also great for those who wish to line their chimneys with a flexible stainless twin wall liner made of steel. Because the majority of Defra approved models have a 5" outlet this will allow them to be fitted with a 125mm liner instead of the standard 6" outlet, which could reduce the cost of the liner and installation.
Some homeowners may decide to slumber their stove overnight and shut the top vent and letting it burn slowly, this could lead to the accumulation of tar and soot that can block their chimney. A Defra approved stove won't allow you to close the top vent completely, as this can cause the fire to go out. It is also less likely that combustibles that have not burned will be released into the air. This is safer for the air and less likely to cause your chimney to become blocked.
Exempt from Defra
You'll often see the terms Defra Approved, or Defra-Exempt, when you are looking for a wood-burning stove. This usually means a wood burning stove or a multi fuel stove that is approved to be used in a Smoke Controlled Area.
They usually be able to achieve this status through rigorous testing and examination to ensure they have ultra low emissions. This is accomplished by using secondary combustion, in which the waste products of the burning process are burned again to limit the amount of pollutants released into the air. DEFRA Approved Stoves are the best choice for people who live in areas with smoke restrictions and want to ensure that their stove is legal.
Typically a Defra Exempt stove will be marked with an SE logo or labeled as a DEFRA Stove. This means that the appliance has passed a test designed by the UK government's Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) to demonstrate that it emits very minimal amounts of smoke when it is used in a proper manner. This is the reason Defra wood burning stoves are the only ones that are legal to install in Smoke Controlled Areas.
A wood-burning stove that is Defra-approved will help keep your chimney and flue clean, as they are designed for a cleaner burn of wood than other kinds. This is due to an advanced combustion process that allows airflow into the firebox.
Defra-approved wood burning stoves are generally energy efficient. This is accomplished by using the latest technology to ensure as much heat as possible is extracted from the fuel and then transferred to your home, which means you will have lower heating costs and a cleaner more secure and environmentally sustainable home.
You'll find a wide range of options when choosing an approved Defra stove in terms style size, dimensions, and the type of fuel. Some will only be Defra Approved for burning wood while others are Defra Approved to burn authorised smokeless coal, too. There are affordable DEFRA stoves and traditional style Defra approved stoves to pick from, so you'll be sure to find the perfect option to fit in with your style.
We've put together a complete guide to purchasing a DEFRA approved stove that outlines everything you should know about this type of appliance, including how to get the best value for your money when purchasing one and what to look for when shopping for an appliance, and more. The guide is available in full here. Additionally we offer a great selection of Defra Approved stoves from some of the top manufacturers in the UK. Brands like Stovax and Burley are also included. If you're in search of a multi fuel or wood burning stove that is both Defra Approved and CE certified, then make sure to take a look at our selection.