The Benefits of DEFRA Exempt Wood Burners

DEFRA approved wood burning stoves are a fantastic option for homeowners who live within smoke control zones. These particular log burners have undergone rigorous testing and are able to operate within the strict guidelines.

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

Smoke Exempt

DEFRA exempt wood burning stoves, or Defra approved stoves are constructed to comply with the Department of Environment's (DEFRA) regulations. The stoves were tested and examined to ensure that they burn fuel efficiently and produce very little or no smoke. They emit low levels of carbon dioxide and their combustion efficiency allows them to re-burn part-burned combustibles such as ash and soot before they escape down your chimney.

If you reside in an area that is classified as a Smoke-Control Area, it is important that your stove be DEFRA exempt. It should also permit you to use approved fuels. It is illegal to release smoke from your chimney if you are not using an exemption appliance or authorised fuels. Exempt Defra stoves are better for your chimney because they burn fuel more efficiently and produce less smoke. Your chimney and flue will stay cleaner longer.

We offer a large choice of Defra exempt stoves made by the world's leading manufacturers such as Stovax and Arada. We only provide the highest quality products, so you can be confident that your new stove will be safe and a reliable addition to your home.

It is a popular misconception that you have to purchase an exemption from Defra-compliant stove when your home is located within a smoke-control area. This isn't the case. You can still fit a non-DEFRA stove into your home if it has a 6" (150mm) flue liner, and that you only use it with authorised brquettes or other fuels that are smokeless.

If you want to be certain that you are allowed to legally burn wood in your DEFRA exempt stove, then we recommend you select one of our Defra approved models. The stoves we offer were designed to comply with UK standards for environmental sustainability. They have been tested and certified as DEFRA exempt. This means they emit very little smoke. They also consume less energy than traditional stoves, which means you can heat your property with fewer logs. Our range of Defra stoves comes in a variety of colors and styles, so you're bound to find the perfect model for your home.

Clean Burn

Wood-burning stoves and open fires generate smoke that can cause harm to the health of those living at home and those who live nearby. The fine particles that are present in the smoke can cause respiratory issues, including asthma. Fortunately modern DEFRA exempt stoves are designed to drastically reduce these negative impacts.

These clean burning wood burners, often called SE or Defra approved stoves, have been rigorously tested and examined to ensure they are abide by the Department of Environmental's regulations. These stoves are designed to burn fuel more efficiently, resulting in fewer pollutants. These stoves will also show the clear smoke coming out of the chimney, instead of the dark smoke associated with older log burning stoves and open fires.

The reason why the smoke particles of these modern DEFRA exempt stoves are lower is due to them being constructed with secondary and tertiary airflow systems. This means that the air inside the combustion chamber is constantly being circulated, which makes it far more difficult for these particles to escape into the chimney.

This also means that you can only use authorised fuels in your DEFRA-exempt wood stove (such dry firewood that has been seasoned). Modern stoves come with an airflow system that keeps the combustion chamber clean, reducing the amount of soot and permitting gas to escape easily from the flue.

According to Defra the new wood stove that is DEFRA stoves for sale-approved and has an EcoDesign baffle can produce 500 times less harmful emissions than the traditional log burning stove or open fire. If you reside in an area that has a Smoke Control Area, then installing one of these efficient and modern stoves is essential to protect your health and the health of your neighbours.

Alternatively, you can install a DEFRA Approved multi-fuel stove and use a variety of different fuels like briquettes, peat and other varieties of manufactured solid fuels that can be purchased in supermarkets. However, it is recommended to only use dry 'Ready to Burn' seasoned wood and never burn painted or treated timber as these will produce more pollutants than untreated timber.

Easy Maintenance

A DEFRA-exempt wood burning stove can be easily maintained. Regular cleaning and maintenance checks will aid in prolonging the life of the stove. These stoves are highly efficient and can cut down on fuel consumption by as much as 50 percent. They produce less emissions than other stoves, and are a more eco green alternative to fossil fuels.

These kinds of wood stoves are very easy to set up and are suitable for homes of all sizes, especially if you live in an urban zone. They have passed Defra testing, which means that you are able to legally use them in smoke control zones, without breaking the law and risking a substantial fine.

Defra approved wood stoves are also typically less expensive to run than other models of stoves due to their advanced combustion technology which ensures the fire burns efficiently. This means that there are fewer particles and carbon monoxide being released into the air, which is good news for your health and that of your family members.

The DEFRA exempted stoves are also certified by other initiatives, including Clearskies and Ecodesign. This means they meet the strictest standards for efficiency and emission. These certifications are displayed on the stoves we sell, and provide assurance that you're purchasing a stove that is safe and eco friendly.

Stoves Direct offers a large selection of Defra-exempt stoves with a variety of traditional designs that work for an inglenook or a fireplace chamber. We also have modern sleek models that look fantastic with a simple fireplace surround or mantle. If you're thinking of purchasing one of our Defra exempt wood burning stoves, it's crucial to consider the style you'd like to see in your home and how it will blend with the design.

A Defra exempt stove is the only kind of log burner you can legally burn in a Smoke Control Area, and it can help you avoid paying a fine in the event that you are caught with a rogue wood-burning fire. It's also a great option for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint, as the tree that the wood is derived from absorbs CO2 as it grows, and returns it back to the atmosphere after being burned in a stove.

Perfect for Smoke Control Areas

It is important to have a stove that burns wood that has been approved by DEFRA in UK cities and towns. This means that the appliance has passed strict tests and can be used legally in these areas. These tests ensure that the combustion particulates produced by the stove do not contaminate the air. These toxins cause the dark smoke often seen coming from chimneys in areas of smoke control, and they could have a negative impact on health, as well as being a nuisance to neighbours.

As a result local councils have passed laws that prohibit the use of open flames and appliances that are not exempt from DEFRA in these areas to tackle the issue. However, the good news is that you are able to still put an appliance in your home if it's DEFRA exempt and you only burn fuel that is approved for burning.

Stoves that have been approved for use in Smoke Control Areas will be marked and tested to ensure that they meet or surpass strict emission and efficiency standards. The stoves that are exempt from Defra are more eco-friendly than other types of wood burners since they are equipped with advanced secondary and tertiary combustion methods that help to minimise their carbon footprint.

You can determine if you are in a smoke-free zone by contacting your local council. You can also determine by looking at your property's postcode online, however it is recommended to go to your local council website for more detailed information as each district of the UK may be different.

Even if you don't reside in a Smoke Control Area a Defra-exempt wood burning stove can be a wise investment. It is more environmentally friendly and also more considerate of neighbors. A stove that is Defra-approved will also produce less smoke, which can keep your chimney and flue cleaner for a longer time. For this reason, most leading stove manufacturers such as Arada, Burley, Parkray and Stovax have a range of smokeless models that are DEFRA stoves near me exempt and will not be affected by the new law.