10 Tell-Tale Warning Signs You Need To Know Before You Buy 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 reside in a smoke-free zone and provide other benefits as well.
Most Defra-approved woodburners have an altered top-air control that stops you from shutting it completely that would cut off oxygen flow to the flame. This prevents the fuel from burning or producing smoke.
What is a DEFRA Approved Stove?
When buying a woodburning or multi-fuel stove, it is essential to select one that has been DEFRA approved as this signifies that it has passed the stringent tests developed by the Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). These tests are designed to ensure that the appliance is compliant with laws regarding smoke emissions. DEFRA approved stoves have been shown to emit far less smoke than other woodburning or multifuel stoves which is why they can be used in Smoke Control Areas.
A Defra approved Stove is also referred to as a "Smoke Exempt" Stove. In a lot of cases, these models are marked with a 'SE', which signifies Smoke Exempt.
fireplacesandstove.com means that the stove has passed a test that has been designed by the UK government's DEFRA and the test is designed to measure emission levels and the amount of smoke produced during normal operation. The stoves that are Defra Exempt can be used within a Smoke Control Area and can often be fitted to a 5 inch chimney liner to facilitate the burning of wood (provided that the manufacturer doesn't insist on a larger diameter) when it is in compliance with Building Regulations.
Selecting an Defra approved stove could be an excellent choice even if you don't live in a Smoke Control Area because they are likely to be more environmentally and friendly to neighbours. They have been shown to emit less carbon dioxide which could cause nuisance smoke in the air. Additionally, your chimney and flue system will remain cleaner for longer because they can only be used with dry seasoned firewood that has not been cut or split recently.
At Bowland Stoves we offer a large selection of Defra approved stoves in a variety styles and these are ideal for those looking to heat their home in a sustainable manner. We also have a selection of stoves that are dual fuel, so you can use them for heating your home as well as producing domestic hot water at the same time.
If you reside in a large city or town that has been designated as a Smoke Control Area then the chances are that you'll have to use an approved Defra Stove or Smoke Exempt Stove in order to comply with the law and avoid paying hefty fines. The stoves have been redesigned to meet the ultra-low emissions standards that are set out by the UK government and they will typically have a second stage of combustion that ensures that waste products in the form of gases are burned for greater efficiency.
The stoves that are Defra-approved are eco-friendly.
If you select a DEFRA approved wood burning stove you are selecting a source of heat that is not just environmentally responsible but also extremely efficient. This is due to the second phase of combustion which is re-burning flue gases which results in a reduction of emissions. DEFRA approved stoves are also cost effective because they make use of fuel more efficiently, which reduces energy consumption in the long term. They are also available in different styles to fit any style of home, from traditional to contemporary.
Defra approved stoves are also a great choice for anyone living in Smoke Control Areas of the UK. These are typically large cities and towns where smoke emissions are a concern. If you have a DEFRA approved stove in your home you can legally burn wood and other banned fuels without the risk of having to pay fines.
The top DEFRA-approved stoves are also equipped with a variety of eco-friendly features that reduce their environmental impact. For instance, a lot of our stoves are SIA Ecodesign compliant and feature a cutting-edge cleanburn technology that maximises combustion efficiency and reduces emissions. They also feature an airwash system to keep the glass clear so you can enjoy a good view of your fire, and they are multi-fuel so you can burn a wide variety of fuels.
Another way that a DEFRA approved stove is eco-friendly is because they are designed to provide the minimum amount of oxygen required to allow the wood to burn properly. This guarantees that the wood won't ignite, or release excessive smoke. This is important in Smoke Control areas as it could result in fines.
In addition to the advantages of being able to use a wood-burning stove within a Smoke Control Area, DEFRA approved stoves are more sustainable for the environment and more importantly for your health. This is due to the fact that ultra-fine particulate (PM2.5) can be absorbed into the lungs, and is part of the air pollution caused by solid fuels such as wood. This can have a number of adverse side effects, including asthma symptoms and the feeling of being unwell.
Defra Approved Stoves Are neighbour-friendly
If you reside in an area where smoke is controlled, a DEFRA-approved stove is required. It allows you to use wood and other smokeless fuels. This is because they're able to pass strict emissions tests which restrict the amount of smoke they produce during normal operation. If you are using an non-approved stove in a smoke-controlled space, you may be breaking 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 produce any nuisance smoke, and if properly maintained, they will last for a long period of time. This will keep your chimney and flue clean for longer.
Stove manufacturers are continually improving their technology for clean burning and new stoves are now equipped with a wide variety of innovative features that make them more green. These include advanced third-generation and secondary combustion systems, which work to ensure that all combustible gases are used up. This leads to a more effective burn, which reduces emissions and waste.
In addition to these technological advancements, a DEFRA approved stove will generally have a high rate of combustion which means that more fuel is used up and less wasted. This makes them more efficient than older stoves and can result in cost savings for the homeowner.
Defra approved stoves are also more environmentally responsible than traditional open fires or log burners. They release 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 reduce their CO2 emissions by as much as one fifth.
A DEFRA approved appliance can often have extremely low emissions levels, which are even lower than the Ecodesign requirements. In 2022 new stoves will have to comply with the Ecodesign regulations which set minimum efficiency, introduce NOX and OGV ceilings (not currently in place) and emission limits for ALL woodburning appliances that will be stricter than the DEFRA Exempt ceiling that currently applies.
Stoves that are Defra-approved are Smoke Free
If you reside in an Smoke Controlled area or plan to move into one, it is essential to make sure that your new wood burner is Defra exempt. The law prohibits the release of smoke from a wood burner unless it is burning an approved fuel. If you use unapproved fuel within a Smoke Controlled Zone that is a Smoke Controlled Area, you could be punished to the tune of PS1000.
A Defra exempt stove is a wood burning multi-fuel stove that has been tested and cleared the Defra (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) regulations. Defra is the UK department of the government that is responsible for all policies and regulations related to rural issues, the environment and food.
Stove manufacturers produce both DEFRA approved and non-DEFRA stoves. The difference is that a DEFRA approved stove is modified to stop the air vents from closing down. This stops a stove from'slumbering,' which is when a stove opens its air intakes at night in order to allow the fuel to burn slowly. This reopening causes the combustibles that are partially burned to go out into the room as black smoke.
Many people are in confusion about whether a non DEFRA approved stove can be installed in an area that is smoke-free. Yes but you can only legally use it to burn a list of Defra approved smokeless fuels which is available on the official website of the government here. This list does not contain wood, so if you plan to burn wood using your new stove, you will require a DEFRA-approved stove.
The other advantage of the DEFRA exempt stove is that it is much more efficient than non-Defra approved models. DEFRA approved stoves are built to make use of more fuel. This means that you will be able to extract more heat from your logs or other types of wood, which will lower your heating expenses.
It is essential to keep in mind that, even though the DEFRA approved stove is more efficient than non-DEFRA ones but it still needs to be maintained properly to keep it running efficiently. This means regular cleaning of the firebox and flue as well as a routine check to see that the chimney or flue are free of obstructions.