Don't Buy Into These "Trends" About Defra Approved Woodburner
Choosing a Defra Approved Woodburner
Defra-approved cooktops are becoming increasingly popular. They can aid you in avoiding a significant fine if you live in a smoke control area and also provide other benefits too.
The majority of Defra approved woodburner will have an air control on the top that stops you closing it completely down which would cut off the oxygen supply to the fire. This stops the fire from smoldering and generating smoke.
What is a DEFRA approved stove?
When buying a woodburning or multi fuel stove, it is crucial to select one that has been DEFRA approved, which means that it has passed stringent tests designed by the Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). These tests are designed to ensure that the product complies with laws regarding smoke emissions. DEFRA approved stoves have been proven to emit less smoke than other woodburning or multifuel stoves, which is the reason they are able to be employed in Smoke Control Areas.
A Defra approved stove is also referred to as a Smoke Exempt Stove. In many instances, these models are identified with 'SE' which means Smoke Exempt. This means that the stove has passed a test that was developed by the UK government's DEFRA and the test is designed to measure emissions levels as well as the amount of smoke that is produced during normal operation. recommended DEFRA stoves are able to be employed in a Smoke Control Area and may be equipped with an insulated chimney of 5 inches for wood burning (provided the manufacturer doesn't require larger diameter) if this is in accordance with Building Regulations.
Even if you do not live in a Smoke-Control Area, choosing a Defra-approved stove is a good choice. They are more eco friendly and neighbor friendly. They produce less emissions that can cause to the creation of a nuisance smoke in the air. Your flue and chimney will stay cleaner longer as they only require dry wood that's not been cut or split in recent times.
Bowland Stoves offers a range of stoves that are Defra-approved and available in a variety of designs. They are ideal for those who want to heat their homes in an environmentally green way. We also carry a variety of stoves that have dual fuel, so you can use them to heat your home as well as producing domestic hot water at the same time.
If you live in a major city or town that has been designated as a Smoke Control Area then the chances are you will need to use a Defra-approved Stove or Smoke Exempt Stove to ensure compliance with the law and avoid hefty fines. The stoves have been redesigned to meet the ultra-low emissions standards laid out by the UK government. They often have a second phase of combustion which ensures that the waste products in the form of gases are re burnt for even more efficiency.
Defra Approved Stoves Are Eco-friendly
If you select a DEFRA approved wood-burning stove, you are choosing a heat source that is not only environmentally responsible, but also extremely efficient. This is because of the second phase of combustion, which is re-burning flue gases, resulting in minimal emissions. DEFRA approved stoves also lower costs for energy because they burn fuel more effectively. They come in a variety of styles that will suit any home aesthetic from classic to contemporary.
Defra approved stoves are also an excellent choice for those living in Smoke Control Areas of the UK. These are typically big cities and towns where smoke emissions are a major issue. You can burn wood and other fuels that aren't permitted in your home without risking penalties if you own an approved DEFRA stove.
The most stoves that are DEFRA-approved come with a variety of eco-friendly features to further reduce their impact on the environment. For example, many of our stoves are SIA Ecodesign compliant and have an advanced cleanburn technology that increases the efficiency of combustion and reduces emissions. They also feature an airwash system that keeps the glass clean so you can enjoy a good view of your fireplace, and they're multi-fuel, so you can burn a wide variety of fuels.
Another way a DEFRA approved stove is environmentally friendly is because they are designed to provide the minimum amount of oxygen for the wood to be able to burn effectively. This guarantees that the wood won't smoulder, or emit excessive smoke. This is important in Smoke Control areas as it could lead to 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 most importantly, for your health. This is because a large portion of the pollutants emitted by solid fuels, like wood, is ultra-fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can be absorbed into the lung. This can cause a number harmful side effects such as asthma symptoms or a feeling of discomfort.
Stoves that are Defra approved are friendly to neighbours.
If you reside in an area where smoke is controlled an approved DEFRA stove is required. It allows you to burn wood and other smokeless fuels. They are able pass strict emissions tests that limit the amount of fumes they emit operating normally. If you install an unapproved stove in a smoking-free area you could be in violation of the law. You could also be subject to an enormous fine.
A Defra approved stove is also much more environmentally and neighbour friendly. They don't emit any unpleasant smoke, and if they are properly maintained, they will last for a long time. This will keep your chimney and flue hygienic for a longer time.
Manufacturers are constantly improving their clean-burning technology and new stoves include various innovative features that make them more environmentally friendly. This includes advanced secondary and secondary combustion systems that work to ensure that all gasses that are combustible are consumed completely. This means a more efficient burn that reduces emissions as well as waste products.
In addition to these technological advancements in technology, an DEFRA approved stove will usually have a high burn rate which means that more fuel is consumed and less wasted. This makes them more efficient than older models and results in savings for homeowners.
Defra approved stoves are also more environmentally responsible than traditional open fires or log burners. They produce significantly less carbon dioxide emissions than fossil fuels, which helps to contribute towards the UK's climate goals. In fact by burning DEFRA approved stoves, homeowners can cut their CO2 emissions by nearly five percent.
A DEFRA approved appliance can often achieve ultra-low emission levels that are much lower than Ecodesign requirements. In 2022, all new stoves will have to comply with Ecodesign regulations that set minimum efficiencies and introduce ceilings for OGV and NOX (not in place currently) as well as emissions limits for all wood burning devices. These limits will be much stricter then the DEFRA exemption ceiling currently in place.
Smoke Exemption for Stoves - Approved by the Defra
If you live in an Smoke Controlled area or plan to move into one, it is important to make sure that your new wood burner is Defra exempt. This is because the law does not allow the emission of smoke from a stove unless it burns an approved fuel. Using an unapproved fuel in a Smoke Controlled area could lead to fines of up to PS1000.
A Defra-exempt stove can be described as a multi-fuel wood stove that has been approved by the Defra regulations (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). Defra is the UK government department that oversees all policies and regulations related to rural issues, the environment and food.
Manufacturers of stoves produce both models that are DEFRA-approved as well as non-DEFRA. The DEFRA stoves have been altered to ensure that the vents cannot be closed. This stops the stove from'slumbering' which is the term used to describe when a stove re-opens its air vents at night to allow the fuel to to burn slowly. This reopening of the air vents causes part-burned combustibles to be released back into the room in the form of black smoke.
Many people are in confusion about whether a non DEFRA approved stove is allowed to be installed in an area that is smoke-free. Yes however, you can only legally use it to burn a list of Defra approved smokeless fuels which is listed on the government's website here. Unfortunately, wood is not included in this list, so if you want to be allowed to burn wood in your new stove, you must purchase an DEFRA approved stove.
A DEFRA exempted stove can be more efficient than stoves that are not DEFRA approved. DEFRA approved stoves are built to burn more fuel. This will enable you to get more heat out of your logs and other kinds of wood.
It is essential to keep in mind that, even though an DEFRA approved stove is more efficient than non-DEFRA models but it still needs to be properly maintained in order to keep it running efficiently. This includes cleaning the flue, firebox and ensuring that the chimney is free of obstructions.