The Benefits of DEFRA Exempt Wood Burners

DEFRA certified stoves approved wood burning stoves are an excellent option for homeowners who live within smoke control areas. The stoves have been thoroughly tested and operate in accordance with strict regulations.

Stoves that have been approved will often be identified with the letter 'SE' which stands for Smoke Exempt. They are able to be used in smoke-controlled areas but only when burning approved fuels by the Defra, namely wood and manufactured smokeless fuels.

Smoke Exempt

DEFRA exempted wood burning stoves or Defra-approved stoves are designed to be in compliance with the Department of Environment (DEFRA's) regulations. These stoves have been tested and examined to ensure that they use fuel more efficiently and emit very little or no smoke. They emit very little carbon dioxide and their efficiency in combustion is so high that part-burnt combustibles like ash and soot are reburned before they can escape through your chimney and out into the atmosphere.

If you live in an area designated as Smoke-Control Area, it is important that your stove is DEFRA exempt. It should also allow you to use fuels that are authorised. It is illegal to release smoke from your chimney if not using an exempt appliance or fuels that are authorised. Exempt stoves that are Defra-compliant are more suitable for chimneys, since they burn fuel effectively and produce less smoke, which means your chimney and flue remain cleaner for a longer period of time.

We have a variety of Defra-exempt stoves such as the ones from Stovax and Arada. We only sell the best quality products, so you can rest assured that your new stove is an excellent addition to your home.

There is a common misconception that you need to buy a Defra exempt stove if you reside in a smoke-free zone, however this is not the situation. You can still have a non-DEFRA fireplace in your home, provided it has 6" (150mm) flue liner and can be used with authorised briquettes.

If you want to be sure that you can legally burn wood in your DEFRA exempt stove, then we suggest you select one of our Defra approved models. These stoves were designed to meet UK environmental standards. They have been tested and verified as DEFRA exempt. This means they emit a minimal amount of smoke. They are also more efficient than the older models, which means you can heat your home using less wood logs. Our selection of Defra stoves comes in a range of colors and styles, so you're bound to find the right model for your home.

Clean Burn

Open fires and wood-burning stoves can produce smoke that can be detrimental to the health of those in your home as well in the area. This is due to the fine particles that make up this smoke can cause respiratory issues such as asthma. Modern stoves that are exempt from DEFRA stoves cost are designed to lessen these harmful effects.

These wood burners that are clean burning, which are often also known as SE or Defra approved stoves, have been rigorously tested and examined to ensure that they abide by the Department of Environmental's regulations. These stoves are designed to burn fuel more effectively which means less pollutants. These stoves will also show a clear vapour that is released from the chimney instead of the dark smoke that is associated with older stoves with log burning and open fires.

The reason the smoke particles in these modern DEFRA exempt stoves are less is because they have been designed with secondary and tertiary airflow systems. This means that the air within the combustion chamber is always being circulated, which makes it much more difficult for the particles to escape the chimney.

This also means that you are able to only burn fuels that are authorised on your DEFRA exempt wood stove (such as dry seasoned firewood). Modern stoves come with an airflow system that keeps the combustion chamber clean, reducing the amount of soot and allowing gas to flow easily from the flue.

In actual fact, a brand new DEFRA approved wood stove with an EcoDesign baffle will generate around 500 times less carbon dioxide than an open-fire or a traditional log burning stove, according to Defra. If you live in an area that has a Smoke Control Area, then installing one of these efficient and modern stoves is vital to protect your health and the health of your neighbours.

Alternatively, you can install a DEFRA Approved multi-fuel stove and utilize a variety fuels including peat, briquettes and other kinds of manufactured solid fuels that can be purchased at supermarkets. However, it is advised to only use dry 'Ready To burn' seasoned wood and never burn treated or painted timber since these can produce more pollutants than untreated wood.

Easy Maintenance

A DEFRA exempt wood-burning stove is simple to maintain, with a regular cleaning and maintenance routine making sure it lasts longer. These stoves are highly efficient and can reduce the consumption of fuel by as much as 50 percent. These stoves produce far fewer emissions than other types, and are a more environmentally green alternative to fossil fuels.

These kinds of wood stoves are easy to set up and are suitable for homes of all sizes especially if you reside in an urban zone. These wood stoves have passed DEFRA approved contemporary stoves tests which means that you can legally use them in smoke control zones without breaking the law or risking the hefty penalty.

Wood stoves that are Defra-approved can be more affordable to operate than other stoves, thanks to their advanced combustion technology, which ensures that the fire burns efficiently. This means that there are fewer particles and carbon monoxide releasing into the air, which is great news for your health and the health of your family members.

In addition, DEFRA list stoves exempt stoves have been inspected by various initiatives such as the Clearskies scheme and Ecodesign, meaning that they meet stringent emissions and efficiency requirements. You may see these certifications displayed on the stoves we sell, and will give you peace of mind that you are purchasing an environmentally-friendly and safe model.

Stoves Direct offers a large selection of Defra-exempt stoves that include many traditional designs that are ideal for an inglenook or fireplace chamber. We also have modern, sleek options that look stunning with a simple fireplace mantle or surround. If you are thinking about purchasing one of our DEFRA endorsed stoves exempt wood burning stoves, it is important to think about the style that you would like in your home and how it will blend to the interior decor.

It is only possible to burn the stove that is exempt from Defra in a Smoke Control Area. This will save you money if caught with a wood-burning fire. The stove is also a good choice for those looking to cut down their carbon footprint. The wood of the tree absorbs CO2 as it grows and releases it back into the atmosphere when burned.

Smoke Control Areas Suitable

Many UK cities and towns are classified as Smoke Control Areas, so a wood-burning stove that has been DEFRA approved is essential. This means that the stove has passed rigorous tests and can be legally used in these areas. The tests make sure that the air isn't contaminated with the combustion particles produced by the stove. These toxins are the reason for the dark smoke that is frequently seen from chimneys in smoke control areas and can have a negative effect on health and also creating a nuisance for neighbours.

Local councils have also enacted laws to address the issue by banning the use of open fireplaces and non-DEFRA-exempt appliances. The good news is that you can still install your stove in your home as long as it's DEFRA-exempt and you use only approved fuel.

Stoves that have been approved to be used in Smoke Control Zones will be marked and tested to ensure they are in compliance with the strict emission and efficiency standards. The stoves that are exempt from Defra tend to be more environmentally friendly than other types of wood burners as they have advanced secondary and tertiary systems of combustion that help to minimise their carbon footprint.

You can determine if you are in a smoke-free zone by calling your local council. You can also look up the address of your home online. However, it is best to consult your local council for more details.

Even if you don't live in an area designated as a Smoke Control Area, a Defra exempt wood-burning stove is a good investment as it will be more sustainable and friendly to neighbours. It can also mean that your chimney and flue system is cleaner for a longer period of time since the Defra approved stove will emit significantly less smoke than traditional stoves. The majority of the top stove manufacturers like Arada Burley Parkray Stovax, have a variety of smokeless models that are DEFRA exempt.