The Top Companies Not To Be Follow In The Defra Wood Burner Industry
Why Buy a Defra Wood Burner?
If you reside in a smoke-free zone, you'll need an approved stove from Defra. They are available in a range of styles to fit your home.
The top air vent has been altered to make it impossible to close it completely. This makes the fire smolder and generate more smoke.
Smoke Exempt
If you reside in a smoke-control zone it is possible to buy a Defra-approved wood burner. These stoves have been designed to let you burn kiln dried logs as well as other authorized fuels without producing excessive amounts of smoke. They do this by supplying the smallest amount of combustion air to keep your fire burning effectively and avoid unnecessary smoke emissions.
You'll see the Defra logo on a variety of brochures and marketing materials for specific models. It is also sometimes written with the letter 'SE', which is a reference to a Smoke Exempt stove and is used to signify that the appliance is legal to use in a smoke-control area when using approved fuels.
Defra approved stoves are made to meet the new Ecodesign emission limits that have come into force as of 2021. These standards are higher than the older smoke control laws, but less stringent than the standards set by the Clean Air Act 2030.
As a result, it's essential to know the specifications of the stove prior to purchasing it, as some models will come with an Defra exempt label that is simply marketing labels instead of being a genuine Defra approval. Recent CAL investigation has revealed serious issues with the new Ecodesign limitations, including insufficient testing and confusion with the existing regulations for smoke control. The manufacturers also failed to communicate this information to the consumers.
You can purchase an non Defra approved stove if you live in a smoke-controlled area. However, you will need to purchase a special fuel kit to comply with the regulations. Also, you'll need to adhere to the rules regarding the kinds of fuel you can use.
This is a complex issue that needs to be addressed in order to ensure that clean air is maintained in the UK and to keep the environment healthy. It's best to use kiln-dried logs or other approved fuels for your stove until the issue is solved. They are safer than traditional house coke and sulphurised coal. This should help to keep your Defra stove in compliance with the law while also helping you to benefit from a cleaner, less smoky fire, and saving money on your heating expenses.
Clean Combustion
The primary reason to own the DEFRA wood burner is that it allows you to legally burn wood in smoke-free areas without the threat of being fined. However, this isn't the only reason to think about purchasing one - these stoves also feature eco-friendly technology, which is better for the environment and your health.
If Defra-approved stoves are operated correctly, (burning only dry wood that has been seasoned and is ready to burn'), they can reduce pollution by as much as four percent compared to older appliances and open fires. In conjunction with regular chimney sweeps which also ensure that the flue is working properly, this can significantly reduce the amount of harmful particulate matter within your home.
The primary pollutant that is released when burning solid fuels such as logs is ultra-fine particulate matter that can get into the lungs and can cause a variety of health problems. This includes asthma-related symptoms and an overall feeling of being sick.
This type of pollution to the air can be minimized by making use of Defra exempt stoves, and only burning dry wood in them, but the most effective way to cut the amount of PM2.5 in your home is to install an Ecodesign ready wood burner. These have been independently tested and verified to ensure that they emit less harmful PM2.5 than older stoves or open fires.
Defra stoves and wood burning stoves that are compliant with the Ecodesign standards have been designed to let as much fresh air as possible into the fire, so that it doesn't become smoky. This reduces the amount of pollutants emitted and increases the heat efficiency, so you get more warmth with less energy.
The Defra-approved wood burning stoves we stock are all tested to meet the standards and can be purchased in a standalone stove or as a kit for existing fireplaces. You can then select the best Defra-compliant stove for your home, and protect your investment should laws change in the near future. Contact our team of experts to find more about the Defra-approved stoves we stock or visit your local showroom.
Reduced Emissions
Wood-burning stoves provide an eco-friendly, cozy and economical method to heat your home. Many people are unaware that even smokeless stoves emit high levels harmful pollution. The primary pollutant emitted by wood burning stoves are ultra-fine particles (PM2.5) which can easily penetrate the human respiratory system. Short-term exposure of PM2.5 can cause asthma, lung infections, and cardiovascular issues.
The Defra approved stoves are designed to produce the least amount of emissions. However, the fuel type is likely to significantly impact the amount of pollution produced. It is therefore essential to use seasoned, dry wood that has been dried for at least two-years. It is also advisable to only burn Defra-approved smokeless fuels, which are made by the likes of Aduro.
Modern Defra approved stoves will have been designed to comply with the new Ecodesign regulations, which establish higher standards for manufacturing than they did before. In accordance with the new regulations that any stove that is installed within a Smoke Control Area is required to emit less than 5g of particles per hour. This is a far smaller amount than the 7.5g/hour that was previously used for older stoves.
Despite these improvements however, domestic coal and wood burning still accounts for around 17% of UK fine particle pollution according to the government. The most recent data, however, show that coal and wood burning contributes less than one-quarter of the total impact of all sources of particle pollution. This includes road traffic as well as industrial processes.
It is important to note that Defra-approved stoves and open fires and solid fuel cookers, will continue to be the primary source of fine particulate pollution in the UK. Reduce the amount of wood that you burn, and make use of fuels that have less than 20 percent. The fire will burn at a lower heat, resulting in more pollutants. Additionally it causes the stove glass to blacken faster and leads to the faster accumulation of soot within the chimney.
Eco-Friendly
Defra wood burners provide an array of environmental benefits such as efficient and clean combustion, lower emissions, and a potential savings in cost. They come in a range of styles that can be a perfect fit for any home. They also offer the added benefit of being a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels like oil or gas.
The term "Defra Approved Stove' refers to the fact that they conform with government legislation regarding use in Smoke Control Areas. The stoves come with an altered air control at the top that stops users from closing the top all the way, reducing air supply and preventing proper combustion. This would cause the stoves' smoldering and produce more smoke.
Manufacturers are increasingly incorporating technologies in their products to increase their environmental credentials and to comply with new legislation. For instance, they are incorporating secondary and tertiary combustion systems to reduce the amount of part-burned combustibles that go up your chimney as black smoke and reduce your emissions and carbon footprint.
If you live in a smoke-controlled zone, a stove that is Defra-approved is a necessity if you wish to continue using wood and authorised fuels and not in violation of the law. The stoves have been tested independently and have been deemed to be compliant with the law and will continue to comply with the law as new legislation is put in place.
A Defra Approved stove can be equipped with a 5" liner when burning authorized fuels. It is best using wood that has a moisture content of less than 20 percent. This will ensure that the combustion is clean, resulting in low emissions and a longer time span for your flue as well as chimney system.
You don't need a Defra If you reside in a smoke-free area. However, there are talks about it to get one. They look amazing, are a fantastic source of heat, and you'll be helping the environment by reducing the impact you have on the air.