Why Buying a DEFRA Stove is Important If You Live in a Smoke Control Area
Buying a wood stove is a personal decision and there are many aspects to take into consideration. However, if you reside in a Smoke Control Area then it is essential to have an DEFRA approved stove.
DEFRA approved stoves or smoke exempt stoves are multi fuel wood-burning appliances that have been independently tested and verified to achieve ultra low levels of emissions. This allows them to be employed in Smoke Control Areas when burning approved fuels like lekto night briquettes or heating logs.
Cleaner Burning
Wood burners are becoming more popular because people are realizing that they can cut down on greenhouse gases and also save money on electricity bills. This is great news for the environment, however it is crucial to only burn clean, dry logs in your stove to ensure that the emissions levels are as low as possible. If you purchase a DEFRA stove, you will be enjoying your fire without worrying about the impact that it has on the earth and you can rest at ease knowing that you are doing your part to help the planet!
A Defra approved stove (also called a DEFRA smoke-free appliance) has been tested and certified to meet the strict government requirements regarding the amount of smoke it will produce. These stoves can be used in smoke controlled areas where burning unauthorised fuel is not allowed, and are also compatible with a wider variety of fuels than other non-Defra approved models.
You can identify a DEFRA stove by the Defra logo that is often displayed on the product pages. The UK government department that is responsible for DEFRA (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) have strict guidelines about what can be burned in smoke control zones, and a stove that is not approved in these areas could result in fines. The Defra approval means that you can be certain that your stove is safe to use with approved fuels in zones of smoke control, and it is recommended to determine if your home is located in a Smoke-Control Area prior to purchasing an appliance.
The DEFRA woodburner reduces particulate emissions by as much as 80% compared to older stoves. As a result of the cleaner combustion technology built into these stoves, they have been proven to reduce particulate emissions by as much as 80%. This improves the quality of indoor air and lessens the health risks associated with contaminated air, particularly for those living in low-income households who rely on traditional wood stoves to heat their homes.
Better Heat Output
DEFRA stoves have been subjected to rigorous testing to ensure that they are in compliance with the UK government's strict regulations. They are emission-free and a high combustion efficiency which helps cut down on waste. In addition, they are environmentally friendly, it means you'll get a better heat output from your stove, which means you'll require less wood to keep your home warm.
DEFRA approved multi-fuel stoves are suitable for use in smoke control areas and can be used with authorised fuels like wood and peat. They have been tested independently and it has been established that they burn wood so efficiently that there is no smoke. They also come with an air wash system that assists to clean the glass and get rid of any tar deposits that build up.
They are effective in reducing smoke, that the UK government has introduced laws to stop burning unauthorised fuel at home. It is illegal to release dark smoke from a chimney unless it is exempt or burning authorised fuel, such as wood. This is the reason you need a DEFRA approved stove or an Ecodesign-ready wood burner when you reside in a Smoke Control Area.
Stovax Edge is one of our most popular DEFRA approved stoves. This stunning multi-fuel burner has an output of 5kW in heat. It is designed to be energy-efficient and has been awarded the highest environmental standard, ClearSkies 5.
While it's important to understand that DEFRA approval doesn't mean that your stove is efficient, you should still look for a model with an efficient rating when choosing one. The higher the efficiency the greater the amount of fuel will be converted into heat and the lower your heating bills.
If you're looking for a wood-burning stove that has a Defra approved design, check out for models with five" flue outlet as they can be used with a 5" liner. This is an excellent option in the event that your chimney stack is not able to accommodate an 6" lining. It could also reduce the cost of installation. Stove Yard Stove Yard has installed a number of Defra approved wood stoves with 5" outlets to accommodate this and found that the customers are satisfied as they can avoid the expense of upgrading to a larger chimney liner.
Reduced Emissions
If you live in a smoke control area it is essential to use a DEFRA approved stove. They can burn coal, wood and a variety of smokeless fuels, without releasing any smoke. This is due to the fact that they have been tested to ensure they comply with the strict guidelines put in place by the government. As a result, DEFRA multi-fuel stoves are very well-known. These stoves are available from many online retailers as well as in shops across the UK.
The term DEFRA-approved stove is often confused with the more formal definition of a DEFRA-exempt stove. However, they are two distinct things. The term DEFRA exempt refers to the fact that the stove has been approved by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to ensure it is legal to burn certain fuels in your home. If you live in an area that is smoke-free and you don't have a DEFRA-exempt stove, you could be penalized PS1000.
Stoves that have been approved by DEFRA have been able to meet the strict specifications of the Ecodesign Directive. The directive imposes a limit of 40 micrograms per cubic metre on the amount of airborne particulates that can be released by the flue gases from a stove in normal operation. This means that modern, clean burning stoves like those from Arada produce considerably lower levels of particulates. If you replace your old stove with a newer model, you can cut down the amount of particulate emissions by up to 90%..
A Defra approved stove is able to burn a range of fuels like charcoal, smokeless coal and briquettes. The stove will produce lots of light, heat, and flames depending on the fuel you choose. It will also offer you a good degree of combustion, so that you can get the most heat out of your fuel as possible.
The primary pollutant that solid fuels emit like wood is ultra-fine particle matter (PM2.5), that is more well-known as. This can cause irritation to the eyes and worsen asthma symptoms. The switch from an older stove to a DEFRA approved stove can reduce particulate emissions by 80 percent, while replacing an open flame could see you slash them by up to 90 percent!
Easy Maintenance
There are a lot of aspects to take into consideration when selecting a stove for your home. Think about the style, the material, output of heat and more. If you live in the Smoke Control Area, there's another important thing to keep in mind choosing an DEFRA approved stove.
Defra approved stoves are able to burn different fuels, including smokeless and wood, without creating nuisance smoke. They have been rigorously inspected to ensure they meet the government's strict requirements for emissions and smoke levels.
A Defra approved stove is also much more eco-friendly than previous generations of stoves. The latest models have been constructed with clean-burning technology, so they produce less harmful emissions. As well as this several stove makers such as Arada, Stovax and Hi-Flame have been working on secondary and tertiary combustion systems in order to reduce the amount of emissions from their stoves which has helped reduce the amount of smoke they create.
As well as being more environmentally friendly, a Defra stove is also simpler to maintain. Because they burn cleaner and efficiently, you'll notice that you don't have to clean your stove or flue system quite as often. This will extend the lifespan of your appliance and ensure it runs efficiently for longer.
You might have heard of a DEFRA stove before, but you aren't certain what it refers to. A Defra stove is a wood burner that has been approved by the UK government's Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) to allow it to be employed in Smoke Control Areas. If you have a wood-burning stove installed in your house, but it's not Defra-approved or registered, you could be violating the law by using it.
Defra stoves are not only an excellent way to avoid breaking the law, but also to save fuel and make your neighbors happy. There are a myriad of reasons that an Defra stove is the most suitable option for your home and don't hesitate to contact us at Choice Stoves if you have any questions.