Why Buy a Defra Wood Burner?
If you reside in a smoke-free area, you will need an approved stove from Defra. These stoves come in a variety of styles that will suit your home.
They have been modified to prevent you from closing the top air vent completely, if this is done it causes the fire to smoulder and produces more smoke.
Smoke Exempt
If you reside in a smoke control area you may want to consider buying a Defra approved wood burner. These stoves have been made to allow you to burn kiln dried logs and other approved fuels without producing large amounts of smoke. These stoves do this by supplying the smallest amount of combustion air to ensure that fires are burning efficiently and avoid unnecessary emissions.
You will see the Defra logo in many brochures and marketing materials for specific models. It can also be written as 'SE' which stands for Smoke Exempt stove and is used to indicate that the appliance is able to be legally used in a smoke-control area when using approved fuels.
Defra approved appliances are designed to comply with the new Ecodesign emission standards which came into effect in 2021. They are higher than the limits established by the old smoke control laws but lower than the standards that will be set under a plan for a Clean Air Act in 2030.
It is important to check your chosen stove's specifications before buying it. Some models will have the Defra exemption label, which is a marketing mark and not a genuine Defra approval. Recent CAL investigation found some serious problems with new Ecodesign limits, including inadequate testing and confusion with the existing smoke control regulations. Manufacturers also failed to inform consumers.
While you can purchase a non-Defra approved stove in a smoke-free area It's important to remember that you'll need an exclusive fuel kit to be in compliance with the law. Also, you'll need to adhere to the rules regarding the kinds of fuel you can use.
This is a complex problem that must be addressed to ensure clean air in the UK and to keep the environment healthy. It is best to use kiln-dried logs or other approved fuels for your defra stove until the issue is addressed. They are safer than conventional household coke and sulfurised coal. This will help keep your Defra stove in compliance with the law while allowing you to enjoy the benefits of an enviro-friendly, less smoky fireplace and reducing your heating expenses.
Clean Combustion
The main reason to own the DEFRA wood burner is that you can legally burn logs in smoke-free areas without the threat of being fined. However, this isn't the only reason you should consider purchasing one. DEFRA approved wood burning stoves feature clean combustion technology that is better for the environment as well as your health.
When Defra-approved stoves are used properly, (burning only dry wood that has been seasoned and is 'Ready to burn'), they can reduce pollution by up to a fourth when compared to older appliances and open fires. This, combined with regular chimney sweepings to ensure that the flue is operating correctly, can lower the harmful particles in your home.
Ultra-fine particulates are the main pollutant released when burning solid fuels, such as logs. These particles can travel deep into the lungs, causing range of health issues. This includes asthma-related symptoms as well as the general feeling that you're not feeling well.
Ecodesign wood burners are the ideal method to reduce the amount of PM2.5 that gets into your home. These have been independently tested and verified to ensure that they produce far less harmful PM2.5 than older stoves or open fires.
Additionally, Defra stoves and wood burning stoves that meet the new Ecodesign requirements are designed to let the most fresh air to enter the fire as is possible to ensure they don't get smoky or overheat. This not only cuts the amount of pollution that are released but also improves the efficiency of the appliance so that you get more warmth for your money and also save energy.
All of the Defra approved wood burners that we have on offer have been tested to ensure they meet these standards. They can be purchased either as standalone stoves or as kits for existing fireplaces. This means you can choose the best Defra compliant stove for your home, and you can also ensure your purchase should the law change in the near future. If you would like to know more about the Defra approved stoves we stock, please contact our team of experts or visit your local showroom today.
Reduced Emissions
Wood burning stoves are the most natural, comfortable and economical way to heat your house. However, many don't realize that even "smokeless" stoves release high levels of harmful pollution. The primary pollutant produced by wood burning stoves is ultra-fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that can easily penetrate the respiratory system of humans. Short-term exposure of PM2.5 can cause asthma as well as lung infections and cardiovascular issues.
The Defra approved stoves are built to emit a minimum amount of emissions. However the fuel type that is used can significantly impact the amount of pollution produced. For this reason, it is crucial to make use of dry seasoned, seasoned wood that's been dried for at two years or more. Aduro is one example. It produces smokeless fuels that have been approved by Defra.
Modern Defra approved stoves be built to meet the new Ecodesign regulations, which have set more stringent manufacturing standards than prior. According to the new rules that any stove that is installed within a Smoke Control Area is required to emit less than 5g of particles per hour. This is a much lower limit than the 7.5g/hour that was previously in place for older stoves.
According to the UK Government, despite these cuts coal and wood combustion in domestic homes still accounts for 17 percent of fine particle pollution in the UK. The latest figures show that this is less than a quarter of the overall impact of all sources of particle pollution, which includes road traffic as well as industrial processes.
It is important to note that Defra-approved stoves and open fires and solid fuel cookers will continue to be the primary source of fine particulate matter pollution in the UK. The best way to reduce these harmful effects is to reduce the amount of wood you burn, and only using Ready to Burn certified fuels that have a moisture content that is less than 20%. Burning wood that is wet causes the fire to burn at a lower temperature, producing more pollutant. It also causes the glass of the stove to darken more quickly and leads to a faster accumulation of soot in the chimney.
Eco-Friendly
Defra wood burners offer many environmental benefits like clean and efficient combustion, less emissions, and the potential for cost savings. They are available in a variety of styles that can be a perfect fit for any type of home. They also provide the added benefit of being a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels such as oil or gas.
The term "Defra Approved Stoves' refers the fact that they are in compliance with regulations of the government pertaining to their use in Smoke Control Areas. They have an improved top air control that blocks the user from closing the door completely and reducing the air flow which would hinder proper combustion of the fuel and cause the stove to smoulder creating more smoke and releasing more harmful gases into the atmosphere.
Stove manufacturers are increasingly incorporating technology into their products to improve the environmental credentials of their stoves and assist them to be compliant with new legislation. For instance they are incorporating secondary and tertiary combustion systems that reduce the amount of combustibles that are part-burned that are emitted up your chimney as black smoke and reduce your emissions and your carbon footprint.
If you live in a smoke-free zone, a stove that is Defra-approved is required if you wish to continue burning wood and other approved fuels while not breaking the law. These stoves have been tested by an independent third party and are compliant with the law and will continue to comply with the law as the legislation changes.
A Defra Approved Stove can be used with 5" Liner when burning authorised fuels. It's best with Wood that has a moisture content of less than 20%. This will ensure a clean burn, resulting in lower emissions and a longer life span for your chimney and flue system.
If you don't live in a smoke control zone, then there's no need to purchase a Defra stove, however there are many reasons why you might still want one even if you don't reside in a smoke-free area. They are beautiful, provide an excellent source of heat, and can reduce your environmental impact.