What is a DEFRA Wood Burning Stoves Approved Stove?
If you live in an area where smoke is regulated and you're looking to purchase wood-burning stoves, it's important that you choose a DEFRA approved or exempt stove. Stoves that are not DEFRA exempt could cause a shortage of fuel to the log burner and cause excess emissions and smouldering fuel.
Clean Burn Technology
If you select a DEFRA approved stove, you will be doing your bit to reduce air pollution. DEFRA approved efficient stoves burning stoves are made to meet the strict smoke emission standards laid out by the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Clean burn technology is included in the DEFRA stoves we sell. This assures that all wood or solid fuels that you use are burned completely before they are able to escape your chimney. This is achieved through secondary and sometimes tertiary intakes into air that ensure that each particle of smoke is burnt before it exits the stove. This means that your chimney will stay cleaner for longer and you will have a more efficient stove that uses less fuel to heat your home.
Our range of DEFRA stoves includes a great choice of traditional and modern styles. This is because not everyone wants their new stove to be the focal area of their living space and you may prefer an option that is more discrete and will blend into your decor. We have a selection of freestanding and inglenook stoves that meet DEFRA approval standards, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your fireplace chamber.
You can also select from a variety of DEFRA multi-fuel stoves that allow you to enjoy the flexibility to burn a variety of authorised fuels. Find the perfect DEFRA multi-fuel or wood burner for your home if you combine these features with a variety of finishes and colours.
We are proud to offer a wide selection of DefrA wood burners that have been independently verified by HETAS to meet the strict DEFRA emissions standards and legally permitted to be used in Smoke Control Areas. If you live in Smoke Control Area then it is essential to buy a DEFRA stove because using an unapproved appliance could see you getting fined. You can find out whether you reside in a Smoke Control Area by visiting the DEFRA website or talking to your local authority.
Smoke Exempt
Stoves that are DEFRA wood burning stoves approved have been tested to ensure that they can be used in smoke-free areas. Bowland Stoves offers a range of DEFRA wood burning stoves that provide clean combustion, reduced emission and the potential to save money. You can choose from a range of styles to suit your home's aesthetic.
Smoke Control Areas are set by local authorities. The main reason for them is to reduce the amount of smog from accumulating in towns and cities across the UK. Traditionally people would burn any type of fuel they wanted in their homes and this resulted in heavy smog in several areas, which led to health problems for the local population. In the past, there was no legislation to regulate this, but today, we must adhere to the rules.
To ensure the public's safety, Defra has created regulations that specify which stoves are allowed to be used in certain areas and which types of fuel we can burn on them. If you live in a place that is smoke-controlled, you can only make use of a DEFRA approved stove and burn only approved fuels such as logs, coal or pellets. If you purchase a non-DEFRA model of stove and you burn fuels that are not permitted, you could be fined up to PS1000.
A Defra-approved stove will provide the minimum amount of air to burn, which will result in minimal smoke emissions. This is the only way to guarantee that you can burn wood or other approved fuels in Smoke Control Areas.
To be DEFRA-approved, wood burning stoves and stoves that use multiple fuels must have minimum moisture content of 20% to avoid excessive smoke. To attain this, wood must be treated with a seasoned. It is best to use wood from the Forestry Commission’s"Woodsure Ready To Burn" scheme.
If you are buying the stove to be used in a Smoke Control Area, make sure that it has a Defra logo on it or a slash in its name. This signifies that the stove is smoke-exempt. The Defra logo is easily identifiable and has been widely accepted in the industry.
Compliant with Building Regulations
If a stove that burns wood is DEFRA approved, it means that it has been thoroughly tested and meets building regulations. This ensures that it is safe to use and the flue system is correctly installed. This reduces indoor air pollution and reduces fire hazards. This is especially crucial for those who live in smoke control zones, where it is unlawful to use unauthorised fuels.
Our selection of DEFRA stoves are available in a variety of sizes, styles and finishes so you can find the perfect option for your home. We have freestanding models, inglenook and inset with modern and traditional styles that will fit in with any decor. You can also pick from a wood burner or multi-fuel version depending on your preferences. All DEFRA stoves feature clean-burn technology so you can rest assured that they'll burn your fuel efficiently and safely.
DEFRA stoves also adhere to strict regulations for the emission of smoke in areas that are smoke-controlled. These regulations are created to limit the amount of particulate matter that is released into the air when the stove is burning.
The most modern DEFRA wood-burning stoves are designed for this purpose, using advanced combustion systems that do not restrict airflow inside the firebox. This allows the wood to be burned more thoroughly and fast which decreases the release of particulate matter into the air. Additionally, DEFRA stoves are equipped with a secondary combustion system which reduces emissions further by re-burning any combustibles that were not burned that were emitted by the previous combustion process.
It is possible to install an appliance that doesn't comply with DEFRA regulations, but it will require substantial changes to your chimney and flue. This will require a structural change that may require planning permission. To avoid this, it's best to select a DEFRA compliant stove when buying a new wood-burning fireplace.
A DEFRA-approved stove will usually also have a 5" flue outlet (125mm). This means you can choose a 5" vitreous enamel flue liner, which will help you save money on installation costs. This is a good option for those who are on a budget or if the chimney stack has some awkward bends to navigate.
Emissions Reduction
You will encounter many terms when looking for a wood-burning stove. One of these is the term DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved stoves. This means that it is able to be used in smoke-controlled areas within the UK.
The stoves have been through a series of tests to make sure they comply with the UK's laws regarding smoking. They do this by incorporating the most recent clean burn technology that uses secondary and tertiary combustion to help produce healthier air for your home. This can also help reduce your fuel consumption since the fuel is burned more efficiently which in turn lowers the carbon footprint of your home.
As a result of the latest technology employed, DEFRA wood burning stoves approved are more environmentally friendly than older open fires as well as stoves. When used correctly, a wood burning stove is carbon neutral. This is because trees absorb carbon dioxide as they grow and release it back into the air when they burn. They are therefore a greener alternative to fossil fuels.
The most significant issue when using a wood-burning fireplace is the emissions. The smoke that is released from a wood-burning stove contains ultra-fine particulates which are known to cause health issues. These particulates can cause breathing problems, increase asthma symptoms and make you feel unwell. They also increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, and premature death.
Domestic wood burning is now the largest source of PM2.5 in the UK, producing three times the amount of pollution as traffic. This is because conventional wood stoves use outdated technologies that don't utilize the latest technology for clean burning to assist with the production of PM2.5. This is why it's crucial to purchase a DEFRA exempt stove if you reside in a smoke-free area, or even if you do not, as they are safer for the environment and your chimney.
Bowland Stoves stocks a large choice of DEFRA-approved kitchen stoves from leading manufacturers like Arada, Stovax, and Burley. If you're not sure which kind of stove is right for your home, we recommend talking to a member of our team. If you choose a DEFRA-approved stove, you can rest sure that it has passed extensive testing to ensure it can be used in smoke-free areas.