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Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner Most UK cities and towns are classified as Smoke Control Areas so if you reside in one of them and wish to install a wood burner then you'll require a Defra exempt stove. You can identify them by their Defra-approved logo. Defra exempt stoves are built to prevent the flame from burning and reduce the amount of smoke produced. They also burn fuel better. What is an Defra exempt stove? A Defra Exempt stove is a wood burning domestic heating appliance that has passed the tests laid out by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Defra Exempt label is applied to stoves that have been independently tested and have met the strictest standards for emissions. The stoves that are Defra Exempt are able to be used in Smoke Control Areas. It is not possible to burn wood without a DEFRA approved stove when you live in an area where smoking is controlled. Installing an non DEFRA approved stove in a smoke control zone is an infraction of the Clean Air Act. You could be prosecuted. There is not much difference from the outside of a Defra approved appliance and one that does not have this status. There are a few ways stove manufacturers can do to ensure that their products are exempt from DEFRA. DEFRA stoves ratings and reviews is that the burners on the DEFRA approved stove are made not to starve the flame of oxygen, since this could cause it to smolder and create excessive quantities of smoke. To prevent this, manufacturers will adjust the top air vent of a stove that is Defra-approved. This will stop you from being able to shut the vent completely down, since this would cut off the supply of air to the fire. The adjustment is often a small screw inside the top front of the stove, below the base of the stove or on the back of the stove. Stoves that are Defra Exempt can also be multifuel stoves that can therefore be used to burn other kinds of fuels in addition to wood. This is a great option if you reside in an area that has been designated as a Smoke Control Area but you don't want to be bound by the restriction of only using authorised fuels. Certain stoves that are exempt from Defra exemptions can also be fitted with a 5” liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer doesn't insist on the larger size). This is great news for those who are planning on installing woodburning stoves in their homes but are worried about their local smoke regulations. What are the benefits of a Defra-Approved Stove? Defra-approved stoves provide many advantages, including the ability to meet local regulations as well as provide warm and cozy fire. For example, they tend to be more efficient in energy use than stoves that are not Defra approved and, consequently, reduce the amount of carbon that is produced when they are used. This can result in substantial savings on your heating costs. Defra-approved stoves are also easier to use and have easier controls than stoves that are not approved. When buying an electric or wood-burning stove, there are various factors to take into account, including your needs for heating as well as your aesthetic preferences and long-term goals. When selecting a stove, it is crucial to take into consideration these aspects. A stove that is defra-exempt is a great choice for homeowners who live in smoke-controlled areas. These stoves are environmentally friendly and have been thoroughly tested. Defra-approved stoves do not just meet environmental standards but also offer superior combustion and a wider spread of flame. This ensures the fuel burns evenly and creates a pleasant, consistent flame. They are also more durable than non Defra approved stoves. This means they can endure higher temperatures and last longer. In addition is that the majority of Defra approved stoves can be used with a 5” chimney liner, which is ideal for homes located in smoke-free areas. However it is crucial to keep in mind that if you intend to use your stove with damp wood or any other wet fuel, this will still cause smoke nuisance and potentially lead to being prosecuted by the local authority. To get Defra approval, stove manufacturers are required to make adjustments to the appliance to limit the amount of air it can be starved of during the combustion process. Typically the air control on top will be modified to prevent it from closing all the way. The air supply that is shut off to a stove too much can cause it to smoulder rather than burning properly and result in a nuisance smoke. What is the difference between a Defra approved stove and a non-Defra-approved stove? The most obvious distinction is that a defra-approved stove can legally burn wood in a Smoke Control Area, whereas a non-defra exempt stove will not be able to. This is because stoves that are Defra approved have passed tests to show they can effectively and safely burn wood in smoke-controlled areas without producing excessive levels of smoke. This means that if you live in a smoke-free zone, you will be able to use your new stove with no risk of hefty fines. A Defra approved stove is also more efficient than other types of wood-burning stoves meaning that it will produce more heat and release less harmful emissions into the air. This makes them a good choice for homeowners who want to save money on heating bills and who are concerned about the environment. Stoves that are Defra approved are usually advertised with the Defra Approved logo, which is very recognisable and is widely used by the stove industry. You can also find out if the stove is Defra exempt by reading the specifications or looking on the website of the manufacturer for information about the stove. When you are choosing a Defra approved stove it is essential to think about the style you prefer as there are many different choices available. Some are more traditional and look gorgeous when placed in an old fireplace chamber or inglenook. Others are more modern and will look great in a contemporary living space. Check that the stove is Defra-exempt. It should be on the DEFRA list of authorised appliances, or have the DEFRA logo. Many manufacturers will claim that their stoves are Defra exempt however they haven't been tested. It is easier to sell a Clean Burn stove than to test and go through the cost of becoming Defra exempt. A stove that has been Defra exempt will ensure that the wood that is used to power it is sourced sustainably that has been properly seasoned, dried and seasoned before it is burned. This will decrease the amount of smoke produced which is healthier for the environment. It also helps to keep chimneys in good condition for longer. What is the Difference Between a Defra Exempt Stove vs. the Non-Defra Exempt Stove? When it comes to choosing the ideal stove for your home, there's many factors you must be aware of, including the design, heat output and the type of fuel. You might have seen on our site that many multi-fuel and wood burning stoves are DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. This is jargon that for the average homeowner, may appear to be nothing more than a term used to sell products, however, it has significant implications for those who live in smoke controlled areas. To ensure compliance with the laws that prohibit the sale of logs in Smoke Control Areas, Defra exempt wood burners are constructed with an internal mechanism that stops you from closing the air supply valve completely. If you reduce the air flow to the fire to a significant degree it will cause the wood to smolder, and produce excess smoke. This is in violation of the law. To prevent this from happening you should ensure that the wood you use in your stove is dried out before using it on the stove. You can also use an DEFRA exempt wood burner within a Smoke Control Area if you only burn approved fuels listed on the DEFRA website. This includes anthracites and semi-anthracites as well as gas, and steam coal that is low volatile. However, if you choose to fit a non-DEFRA approved stove in your home and burn wet wood or other fuels that aren't on the DEFRA list that you can be penalized up to PS1000. Even if you don't reside in a Smoke Control Area and you are not in a Smoke Control Area, an DEFRA exempt wood burner is still an option to consider as they are generally more eco-friendly and friendly to neighbours because they can be operated without creating polluting smoke. They are also more efficient and keep your chimney and flue system clean for a longer period of time. However, it should be noted that in 2022 all new stoves must comply with the more stringent Ecodesign regulations which set minimum efficiencies OGV and NOX ceilings as well as emission limits that are significantly higher than those currently in use for DEFRA exempt appliances.