Ten Defra Exempt Wood Burner That Will Improve Your Life

Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner

Smoke Control Areas are the most commonly used classification for UK cities and towns. If you reside in a Smoke Control Area and are looking to install a stove, you'll need a Defra approved stove. DEFRA stoves price range can identify them by their Defra approved logo.

The stoves that are not subject to Defra are designed to prevent the fire from smoldering. This reduces the amount produced of smoke. They also make use of fuel more efficiently.

What is a Defra exempt stove?

A Defra Exempt Stove is a wood-burning domestic heating appliance which has passed the tests set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Defra Exempt label is applied to stoves that have been independently tested and meet the strict criteria for emissions. Stoves with the Defra Exempt label are suitable to be used in Smoke Control Areas.

If you reside in a smoke control area it is necessary to have an DEFRA approved stove since you cannot legally burn wood (unless you are an authorised fuel) without one. Installing the use of a non DEFRA approved stove within the smoke control zone is a violation of the Clean Air Act. You could be charged.

From the outside there is no distinction between the Defra approved stove and one that has not been given this status. There are a few things stove makers can do to make their stoves 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 smolder and create excessive quantities of smoke.

To avoid this manufacturers will alter the top vent of a stove that is Defra-approved. This will stop you from being able shut the vent completely down as this would cut the air supply to the fire. The adjustment is typically an incredibly small screw that is located on the front of the stove, underneath the stove's base or at the rear of the oven.

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 reside in areas that are designated as Smoke Control Areas and don't want to limit their use to only authorized fuels. Some stoves with Defra exemptions can also be equipped with 5" liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer doesn't insist on the larger size). This is a wonderful benefit for those looking to install woodburning stoves but are concerned about local smoke regulations.

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

In addition to complying with local regulations and supplying a warm cosy fire, Defra approved stoves can provide many other advantages. They are generally more energy efficient than non-Defra stoves and also reduce the amount of carbon emissions produced. This can result in substantial savings on your heating bills. The stoves that are Defra-approved are also easier to use and have easier controls than non-approved ones.

When buying a wood-burning or multi-fuel stove, there are different factors to consider including your needs for heating as well as your aesthetic preferences and long-term goals. It is important to take these aspects into consideration when selecting the right stove, and opting for a defra-exempt stove is a good option for those living in smoke controlled areas. These stoves are eco-friendly and have been thoroughly tested.

Apart from being environmentally friendly, Defra approved stoves are also designed to offer superior combustion and flame distribution. This ensures the fuel burns evenly and creates a pleasant, consistent flame. In addition, they tend to be more durable than non-Defra-approved stoves, meaning they will last longer and can stand up to higher temperatures.

In addition, most Defra approved stoves are compatible with a 5" chimney liner, which is perfect for homes located in smoke-free areas. However it is important to be aware that if you are planning to use your stove using damp wood or another wet fuel, this will still create smoke that is not pleasant and could possibly result in a prosecution by the local authority.

To get Defra approval stove manufacturers have to modify their equipment to restrict the amount of air that will be removed during the combustion process. The top air control is usually altered to prevent the entire closure. Closing the air supply to a stove too much can cause it to smoulder 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?

The most obvious distinction is that a defra-approved stove is able to legally burn wood in a Smoke Control Area, whereas a non-defra exempt stove will not be able to. This is because stoves that are Defra approved have passed tests to show they can safely and efficiently burn wood in smoke-controlled areas without producing excessive levels of smoke. This means that if you live in a smoke-free zone, you can use your new stove without the possibility of paying hefty fines.

A Defra approved stove is also more efficient than other types of wood burning stoves, meaning that it will produce more heat and will emit less harmful emissions into the air. This makes them an excellent choice for homeowners who wish to save money on heating bills and who are concerned about the environment.

Stoves which have been Defra-approved will be advertised with the Defra Approved Logo, which has been adopted by stove manufacturers. You can also determine if the stove is Defra exempt by examining the specifications or looking on the website of the manufacturer for information about the stove.

There are many styles available when choosing a Defra-approved stove. Some of these are more traditional and will look beautiful in an old fireplace chamber or inglenook. Other stoves are more modern and will fit in a modern home.

You should also make sure that the stove you pick is Defra exempt by making sure that it is listed on DEFRA's list authorised appliances or by checking that it's got the DEFRA exemption logo. Many manufacturers advertise their stoves as being Defra exempt even though they have not been tested to show that they are. It is easier to sell a Clean Burn stove than to test and go through the expense of becoming Defra-exempt.

The stove will be exempt from Defra regulations, which means that the wood that is used as fuel for it is sustainable and properly dried before burning. This reduces the amount of smoke produced which is better for the environment. It also helps keep chimneys clean for longer.

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


When it comes to selecting the right stove for your home, there is many factors you should be aware of, including the style, heat output and the type of fuel. You might have seen on our site that many multi-fuel and wood burning stoves are DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. This is jargon that, to an average homeowner, may seem like a marketing term. However it can have significant implications for those who live in smoke-controlled areas.

To ensure compliance with the laws that ban the sale of wood in Smoke Control Areas, Defra exempt wood burners have an internal mechanism that stops you from closing the air supply valve all the way. If you reduce the air flow to the fire too much it can cause the wood to smoulder, and produce excess smoke. This will be against the law. To prevent this from happening you must ensure that the wood in your stove is kiln dried prior to using it on the stove.

You can also make use of an exempt DEFRA wood burner in a Smoke Control Area, if you only use the approved fuels on the DEFRA site. These include gas, semi-anthracite, and anthracite as well as low volatile steam coal. If you decide to install a non-DEFRA-approved stove in your home, and you burn wet wood or any other fuels that aren't on the DEFRA list that you can be punished up to PS1000.

Even if you don't reside in an area designated as a Smoke Control Area and you are not in a Smoke Control Area, the DEFRA exempt wood burner is still an option to consider as they are typically more environmentally and friendly to neighbours because they can be operated without generating harmful smoke. They also tend to be more efficient and keep your chimney and flue system clean for longer. However, it must be noted that by 2022 all new stoves have to meet the stricter Ecodesign regulations which set minimum efficiencies OGV, NOX ceilings, and have emission limits which are considerably higher than the limits currently in use for DEFRA exempt appliances.

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Pub: 26 Mar 2024 08:22 UTC
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