15 Shocking Facts About Defra Wood Burning Stoves UK You've Never Heard Of Defra Wood Burning Stoves

Stoves are more environmentally friendly than open fires, and heat rooms much more efficiently. They also emit less carbon dioxide because most of the smoke shoots up the chimney, rather than down in the room.

However, you may be restricted in using the wood burning stove if you reside in a smoke control area. To avoid this, select an approved DEFRA-certified stove.

Clean Combustion

A Defra wood-burning stove is a premium appliance that offers a clean and sustainable method to heat your house. These kinds of stoves are designed to burn approved fuels and wood, such as smokeless coal, without generating unnecessary emissions. Modern combustion technologies decrease the amount of combustible gas that is produced during the burning process.

This technology allows these stoves to be employed in Smoke Control Areas in the UK. These are typically heavily populated cities and towns where the release of particulate matters is restricted.

These stoves are also highly efficient, which means that you'll need less wood to provide the same level of heating. They can help you reduce your energy bills.

These stoves are not just environmentally friendly, but they are also extremely safe to use. They are built with durable, sturdy components that ensure they can withstand extreme heat and heavy loads of logs. This ensures that your wood-burning stove is always safe and reliable to use, which is crucial for your peace of mind.

Defra approved appliances are sometimes called ecodesign ready or 'Smoke-Exempt', and are able to be used in Smoke Control Areas in the UK. These appliances have passed a rigorous test to ensure that they comply with strict emission standards. They are able to legally burn wood or other fuels in these areas. This is accomplished by providing the minimum amount of combustion air needed, resulting in virtually no smoke.

Many people have misconceptions about the emissions produced by stoves and open fires. They might believe that wood burning stoves are a major contributor to fine particulate matter in the UK. But the reality is that domestic combustion is responsible for only 13% of this amount. Incinerators and bonfires are a more significant source.

Sadiq Khan is believed to be preparing a ban in London on the use traditional open fires and older stoves. If this plan is implemented it will effectively make the city smoking-free zones. This plan, while unlikely to succeed, highlights the need for the government to take steps to minimise particulate emission in urban areas.

Emissions Reductions

Wood burning stoves are a popular choice for home heating in the UK. However, they can generate substantial levels of harmful air pollutants, including particulates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These pollutants can cause health issues, including lung cancer and heart disease. Modern log burners that are defra-approved make use of advanced combustion technology to reduce the emission. They also have a secondary and third-burn system that reduces primary PM and secondary PM precursors, as well as toxicity and NOx.


Defra exempt stoves are also more eco-friendly than traditional open fires and are frequently used in areas that have restrictions on smoking wood or in smoke control zones. These are typically densely populated areas in towns and cities, where excessive smoke can cause a nuisance to residents. People who decide to use an open flame in these zones are subject to fines from the local authority, but homeowners who install a defra-approved stove or wood burner are able to avoid the penalties.

The Defra-exempt stove range, from brands like Arada, Parkray and Burley, boasts the latest in clean-burning tech, reducing harmful emissions to a minimum in stable combustion conditions. These Defra stoves are also SIA Ecodesign ready, which means they meet the latest efficiency goals for energy and strict emission limits for particulates and VOCs.

It is important to note that Defra Stoves are only suitable for smoke control areas when the stoves are designed specifically for the purpose and you can prove that you live in a zone of smoke control. If you reside in a smoke control zone and want to use an appliance that doesn't conform, you may need to purchase an adaptor or retrofit it with chimney cowls.

It is vital to remember that defra stoves aren't immune to the same wear and tear as other wood-burning appliances, which is why it is essential to carry out regular maintenance to ensure they are in good condition. Cleaning the chimney and flue, as well as checking for obstructions, are all part of this maintenance. Maintaining your stove in good condition will allow it to function effectively for a long time, and will also extend its longevity.

Energy Efficiency

The Defra approved stoves we offer utilize the most modern combustion technology to provide maximum heat output and emissions to a minimum. These stoves are also equipped with pre-heated secondary and tertiary to reduce the emissions of particulate matter (PM). When wood and other solid fuels are burned in a stove, particulate matter (PM) is created. This can cause respiratory problems and a variety of health issues. The good news is that SIA Ecodesign Ready stoves (often called DEFRA exempt stoves) reduce the amount of PM by about 55% when compared to open fires and basic stoves.

Stoves are not just desirable for their aesthetics; they can be a real energy saver, and they can help keep your home warm. They can heat rooms faster than standard radiators, and can cut heating costs by up to 40%.

Defra approved stoves are particularly beneficial for those who live in a Smoke Control Area which covers most of the UK's cities and towns. In these areas, it's illegal to use a non-approved multi-fuel or log burner unless you have DEFRA approval or install a stainless-steel twin wall chimney liner that is in compliance with smoke control regulations.

DEFRA approved stoves are typically described as "DEFRA Exempt" or "SE". They have passed a government-approved test to confirm that they can be used to burn fossil fuels at home without generating smoke. The tests ensure these stoves release only a small amount of pollutants, and also that they contain enough combustion air to stop smoke from exiting the flue.

The combustion of wood or other solid fuels can be affected by a number factors. These include using wet, unseasoned wood which can produce more smoke than kiln-dried wood, closing your top air vent too tight which can hinder combustion or denying the stove oxygen over a period of time, which can result in more smoke. Use only dry, seasoned, and properly sized wood and ensure that your flue system is clean and functional.

Aesthetics

A wood stove is a popular option for many homes. It can provide a range of benefits, including cost savings, clean combustion, reduced emissions, and the potential for renewable energy. They are also a stylish feature in a room and can enhance the aesthetic of a home.

Wood stoves are not all made equal. A recent study has shown that some wood stoves even those marketed to be eco-friendly, produce 750 times as much tiny particle pollution as a modern HGV. This is a huge amount of pollution, and is enough to make your house unsafe for your family especially when you have children or elderly relatives living with you.

The positive side is that many of these older stoves can be altered to be eco-friendly by ensuring that the wood is properly prepared or kiln dried. This will lower the amount of moisture and increase the efficiency of the stove. This is particularly important if you live in a located in a zone of smoke control that is permitted to use Defra approved stoves.

Examine the specifications or logo on the front to find out whether the wood stove has been approved by Defra. It's usually "Defra Approved" or, more correctly it will have a clearSkies score of 3, 4 or 5. If you live in a smoke control zone it is vital that your wood burner is Defra approved to continue to legally burn wood.

DEFRA approved wood burning stoves have been thoroughly tested to ensure they meet the high standards for their sale. Therefore, you can be confident that the stoves you purchase are safe. You should consult an expert installer prior to installing a stove, as they will be able to advise you on the best choice for your home.

If you're looking to be extra eco-friendly, consider purchasing a multifuel stove instead a wood burning stove. These are able to burn different types of fuels, like gas and coal and wood, and will help you save money on heating costs. They come in a variety of different styles, so you will choose one that is suitable for your home.