What is a Defra Log Burner?
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) regulates the emission of smoke from wood burning stoves. There are regulations prohibiting chimney smoke from Smoke Control Areas, unless you are using an exempt appliance or fuel that is authorised.
My Home Page limit the amount of smoke that a stove can emit to 3g an hour and homeowners are subject to hefty penalties on-the-spot in the event of non-compliance. To avoid this, only use log burners that have been approved by Defra and burn kiln dried wood marked with the 'Ready To Burn" label.
What is a Defra certified stove?
A Defra approved stove is a stove that has been passed by the DEFRA test and is exempt from laws in smoke control areas to burn wood (and other fuels that are authorised). The Defra Logo is well-known in the field. Stoves that have been approved by Defra will usually be identified by SE (Smoke-Exempt) to provide an easy and quick way to identify them.
The Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs must test stoves that have been Defra approved to ensure they comply with strict emission standards. These tests are designed to ensure that stoves provide maximum heat output with ultra low levels of smoke emissions. They usually get these low emissions by ensuring that the combustion gases are burned again during the second burn. This is crucial because it allows the combustion to continue in a controlled manner while reducing the amount of combustibles emitted into air.
DEFRA exempt stoves are also more environmentally friendly than other wood burners as they limit the amount of part-burnt combustibles released into the chimney. Defra exempted stoves are not required to close their air vents during the night to sleep. They keep the flue open all time, so they are less likely to send partially burned combustion products down the chimney.
Whether you live in a Smoke Controlled Area or not, an approved Defra wood burning stove is a good idea because it will keep your neighbors satisfied and ensure that your chimney remains clean for longer. Defra exempt stoves for wood burning are available in a broad selection of designs, and there are many options that will suit traditional and contemporary homes.
The sleek minimalist design is an important factor in choosing a Defra-approved wood burning stove. These stoves are perfect for contemporary living spaces and can be incorporated into an inglenook, fireplace chamber or can be free standing. There are many modern stoves, like the Aarrow i400 or the minimal Farringdon that will look fantastic in any room. There are also Defra-exempt stoves in traditional styles like the Saxon A08E as well as the Arizona A08E.
What is an Defra exempt stove?
A Defra Exempt or Defra Approved Stove is a wood burning stove that has been inspected and approved by the government's DEFRA department to be used in Smoke Control Areas. The Defra stoves have been developed to create a minimum amount of smoke and harmful emission while also generating a high degree of heat for your home.
The main reason that you require a Defra stove is that if your house is located in an area designated as a Smoke Control Area then you will not be allowed to legally install any wood-burning or multifuel stove that hasn't been approved by DEFRA. Installing a non-Defra stove within your home could result in a hefty penalty.
Defra approved stoves have been able to have their combustion air system modified to limit the amount oxygen that can reach the wood burning process. This is done by modifying the top air vent. This means that the stove will allow a small amount of air to pass through even if you shut the vent all the way. This prevents the firewood from burning and also prevents it from becoming starved for air.
You will not be able tell from the outside that the Defra wood burning stove is different. The adjustment for combustion air is hidden under the base of the wood stove or on the top of the front.
Most Defra stoves will only be permitted to burn wood, and certain types of authorised smokeless fuels like anthracite or Homefire brand smokeless coal. However, there are a number of Defra stoves that are multi-fuel-approved and these can be used to burn a variety of different fuels.
You can pick a Defra Stove for various reasons, regardless whether you reside in a zone of smoke control or not. Defra approved stoves are better for the environment, generate less smoke and keep your chimney free of accumulated. They also benefit because they produce more heat and release fewer toxic gases into the air.
What is an Smoke Control Exempt Stove (SCE)?
A Defra wood burning stove, sometimes referred to as a Defra exempted stove or Defra approved smoke control stove, is a stove which has been tested rigorously by the UK Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs. The test focuses on the amount of smoke and emissions that the stove is able to produce throughout its normal operation. Only stoves that have passed the Defra test can be placed within Smoke Control Areas in cities and large towns.
The test also guarantees that the stove can be operated with approved fuels, such as anthracite and smokeless coke. Additionally the Defra log burner is more environmentally friendly and can help prevent neighbors from being upset by smoke emissions.
The control of the combustion air for wood burners that have been endorsed by Defra has been changed. This is usually done inside the firebox, or on top of the stove. This modification prevents users from closing the air control completely because this could dehydrate the stove and cause it to produce excessive amounts of smoke.
A Defra approved stove, or Defra exempt stove as it's sometimes referred to must be maintained regularly to ensure it's functioning correctly. This includes cleaning the flue and chimney on a regular basis and ensuring there aren't any obstructions, ensuring that the grate and firebox are clean and the flow of air through the chimney free from restrictions.
It is not a requirement to own a Defra-exempt stove, but it is a smart option to get one particularly if your residence is located outside an area designated as a Smoke Control Area. These models are more efficient and will save you lots of money in the long term. In addition the fact that the use of a Defra approved stove can reduce the amount of smoke and dust that is emitted into your living space, making it the best choice for your health and your neighbors' health.
At Nordpeis we have a wide range of DEFRA approved stoves in traditional and contemporary designs. To see if you live in a Smoke Control Area and would like to discuss your options, contact your local Varde retailer.
What is a Clean Burn Technology Stove?
Clean Burn Technology offers a better burn quality and is the future of fireplaces and stoves. This means a lesser amount of airborne dust which is good for the environment and saves the cost of fuel as you get more heat from the same logs. They are so efficient that they have led to an easing of the need for chimney sweeps since minimal amounts of soot are produced. As the top stove manufacturers continue to develop their products, they have also incorporated secondary or tertiary combustion systems that further reduce emissions and decrease the carbon footprint of their users.
A Defra approved stove is not only allowed to be used in Smoke Control Areas and Smoke Control Areas, but it can also be used in a solid, well-built and insulation-free chimney system in any home. These wood burning stoves as well as multi-fuel models are available in different styles to match your taste. There are a variety of options for both traditional and contemporary stoves in a variety of colours and finishes that complement your style. They are available in various sizes, so you can find one that fits the space of your fireplace or inglenook.
All Defra approved wood stoves have been put through rigorous testing and examinations to ensure they are in compliance with Department of Environment Regulations, have low emissions and high efficiency in combustion. This means you can be confident that you are burning your fuel in a responsible manner and saving money while doing so. Only using dry, kiln-dried wood that is dry and ready to burn will improve the performance of your stove.
If you live in a smoke-controlled area and still want to enjoy the warmth of a wood stove, then a Defra Approved Stove is a good choice. Our customers who have purchased a Defra Stove are already reaping the benefits of a cleaner environment and saving on their costs for fuel. We recommend that your stove be professionally installed by an engineer in gas who is certified to do the job. This will ensure that it meets all requirements for building. It is important to have your stove examined and serviced regularly to ensure its performance is maintained and to avoid the need for costly repairs in the future.