The Unspoken Secrets Of Defra Exempt Wood Burner

Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner

The majority of UK cities and towns are classified as Smoke Control Areas so if you live in one and want to install a wood burning stove, then you'll need a Defra exempt stove. You can recognise them by their Defra approved logo.


The stoves that are exempt from Defra have been designed to stop the fire from burning. This reduces the amount of smoke. They also make use of fuel more efficiently.

What is what is a Defra Exempt Stove?

A Defra Exempt stove is a wood-burning domestic heating device that has passed the tests laid out by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Defra Exempt label is applied to stoves that have been tested independently and meet strict criteria on emissions. The stoves that are Defra Exempt are able to be used in Smoke Control Areas.

You cannot burn wood without a DEFRA approved stove when you live in an area where smoking is controlled. If you install a non-DEFRA-approved stove in a smoke control zone, you'll be in violation of the Clean Air Act and could be charged.

From the outside there is no distinction between an Defra approved stove and one that hasn't been given this status. There are a few things stove manufacturers can do to make their appliances exempt from DEFRA. The most obvious difference is that the burners on a DEFRA approved stove are made not to starve the flame of oxygen, because this could cause it to smoulder and create excessive quantities of smoke.

To prevent this, stove makers will usually make an adjustment to the top air vent on the Defra approved stove. This will stop you from being able to shut the vent completely down, as it could cut off the flow of air to the fire. The adjustment is typically located inside the top front of the stove, below the base of the stove or on the back of the stove.

Stoves that are Defra Exempt can be multifuel stoves and can therefore be used to burn other kinds of fuels in addition to wood. This is a great option for those who live in areas that are designated as Smoke Control Areas however do not want to restrict themselves to using only authorised fuels. Some stoves that are Defra Exempt are also able to be equipped with five" chimney liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer does not insist on a larger size). This is great news for those looking to install wood-burning stoves but are worried about local smoke regulations.

What are the benefits of a stove that is Defra certified?

In addition to being compliant with local regulations and offering an inviting fire for the winter months, Defra approved stoves can provide a variety of other advantages. For example, they tend to have higher energy efficiency than stoves that are not Defra approved and therefore reduce the amount of carbon emissions when used. This can lead to significant savings on your heating bill. In addition, Defra approved stoves are typically more user-friendly than non-approved stoves and can be fitted with simple controls.

When you are looking to purchase a multi-fuel or wood-burning stove, there are different factors to consider including your needs for heating, aesthetic preferences, and long-term goals. It is essential to take these factors into consideration when selecting a stove. Choosing for a defra exempt stove is a great option for those living in areas that are smoke-free. These stoves are eco-friendly and have been tested rigorously.

Aside from being environmentally friendly, Defra approved stoves are also designed to offer better combustion and flame spread. This ensures that the fuel burns evenly and produces a consistent, pleasant flame. They are also more durable than non Defra approved stoves. This means they can withstand higher temperatures and last longer.

In addition is that the majority of Defra approved stoves can be used with a 5 inch chimney liner, which is perfect for homes that are located in smoke-free areas. It is essential to remember that if you intend to use your stove with damp wood or other fuels with dampness, it will still produce unpleasant fumes and may result in a prosecution from the local authority.

To get Defra approval, stove manufacturers must make modifications to their appliances to limit the amount of air that could be lost during the burning process. Typically, the top air control is modified to stop it from being closed all the way. Closing the air supply to a stove too much could cause it to smolder instead of properly burning and result in a nuisance smoke.

What is the difference between a Defra-approved stove and a non-Defra-approved stove?

A stove that has been approved by the defra can let you to legally burn wood in a Smoke Control Area. However, an exempt stove that is not defra-approved won't. Stoves that have been approved by Defra have passed the tests to prove that they can burn wood safely and effectively in smoke-controlled areas without producing excessive amounts of smoke. This means that if you live in a smoke-free zone, you will be able to use your new stove with no risk of hefty fines.

A stove that is Defra-approved is more efficient in energy use than other stoves, producing more heat and emitting less harmful emissions into the air. This makes them a good choice for homeowners who want to cut down on heating costs and are concerned about the environment.

Stoves that have been Defra approved will usually be advertised with the Defra Approved logo that is easily identifiable and is used by the stove industry. You can also find out if a stove is Defra exempt by examining the specification details or by looking on the website of the manufacturer for more details about it.

When choosing a Defra approved stove, it is essential to think about the style that you require since there are a myriad of options available. Some of these are more traditional and look stunning when placed in an old fireplace or inglenook. Others are more modern and would suit a more modern living space.

It is also important to ensure that the stove you choose is Defra exempt by ensuring it appears on DEFRA's list authorised appliances or by checking that it has the DEFRA exemption logo. Many manufacturers will advertise that their stoves are Defra exempt but they haven't been tested. It is much easier to market a Clean Burn stove than to test and go through the expense of becoming Defra-exempt.

The stove will be exempt from Defra regulations, making sure that the wood used as fuel for it is sourced sustainably and properly dried prior to burning. This means that it is less likely to produce large quantities of smoke, which is beneficial to the environment and also helps keep chimneys and flue systems clean for longer.

What is the Difference Between an Exempt Stove that is Defra-compliant and A Non-Defra Exempt Stove?

When it comes to choosing the ideal stove for your home, there is plenty of information you must be aware of, including the design, heat output and the type of fuel. You may have noticed that a lot of the wood burning and multi fuel stoves available on our site are listed as DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. This is jargon that, for the average homeowner, might seem like nothing more than a marketing term but it has very important implications for people who live in smoke controlled areas.

To ensure compliance with the laws that prohibit the sale of logs in Smoke Control Areas, Defra exempt wood burners are constructed with an internal mechanism that stops you from closing the air supply valve completely. This is because if you reduce the flow of air to the fire, the wood will start to smoke and create excessive smoke, which would be in breach of the law. To avoid this ensure that your wood is dried thoroughly before you put it in the stove.

You can also use an exempt DEFRA wood burner in a Smoke Control Area, if you only use approved fuels listed on the DEFRA website. This includes anthracites, semi-anthracites, gas and low volatile steam coal. If you could try this out install a non-DEFRA stove in your home and use wet wood, or other fuels that aren't on the DEFRA's list, you could be subject to an amount of fine up to PS1000.

Even if you don't reside in a Smoke Control Area and you are not in a Smoke Control Area, an DEFRA exempt wood burner is still an excellent option since they are usually more environmentally and friendly to neighbours since they operate without producing harmful smoke. They also have higher efficiency, and will keep your chimney system and flue cleaner for longer. However, it is to be noted that by 2022 all new stoves have to meet the stricter Ecodesign regulations which set minimum efficiencies OGV and NOX ceilings as well as emission limits which are considerably more than the ones currently in place for DEFRA exempt appliances.

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Pub: 21 Mar 2024 22:23 UTC
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