Why Buying a DEFRA Stove is Important If You Live in a Smoke Control Area
The purchase of a wood-burning stove is a decision that is entirely personal and there are many aspects to consider. If you live in a region that is smoke controlled it is important to choose a 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 permits them to burn approved fuels such as lekto at night and heat logs in Smoke Control Areas.
Cleaner Burning
The use of wood stoves to heat homes is now more popular than ever before as people realize that it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save money on electric bills. This is great news for the environment, however it is important that you only use dry, clean logs in your stove to ensure that emission levels are kept as low as is possible. You can enjoy your fire and not worry about its impact on the environment if you purchase a DEFRA-approved stove.
A Defra approved appliance (also known as a DEFRA Smoke Exempt Appliance) has been tested to make sure that it meets the strict government standards for the quantity of smoke produced. These stoves are able to be used in smoke controlled areas where burning unauthorised fuel is prohibited, and they can also be used with a wider range of fuels than non-Defra approved models.
The Defra logo is typically displayed on product pages. The UK government department responsible for DEFRA (Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) have very strict rules concerning what is acceptable to burn in smoke control zones, and a stove that is not approved in these areas could lead to fines. The Defra approval means that you are able to be sure that your stove is safe to use with authorised fuels in smoke control zones, and it is a good idea to determine if your home is located in a Smoke Control Area before buying a stove.
The DEFRA woodburner can reduce particulate emissions by as much as 80 percent when compared with older stoves. They have been proven to reduce particulate emissions up to 80% due to the cleaner combustion technology integrated into the stoves. This helps to improve indoor air quality and reduces the health risks posed by pollution of the air, particularly in low income households that rely on traditional wood stoves to heat their homes.
Better Heat Output
DEFRA stoves have undergone rigorous testing to ensure that they are in compliance with the UK government's strict regulations. They have low emissions levels and a high combustion efficiency which helps cut down on waste. As well as being environmentally sustainable, this means you'll get better heat output from your stove, which means you'll need less wood to keep your home warm.
The stoves that have been approved by Defra can also be used in smoke control zones and with fuels like wood and peat. This is because they've been independently tested and have been proven to burn wood in a way that it does not produce smoke. They also come with an air wash system that helps to clean the glass and get rid of any tar deposits that build up.
In fact, they are so effective in cutting down smoke that the UK government has enacted legislation to prevent people from burning fuel that is not authorized in their homes. It is unlawful to release dark smoke from any chimney, unless it is exempt or burning authorised fuel, such as wood. If you live in a region with smoke control and smoke control, you'll require an approved DEFRA-approved stove or Ecodesign ready wood burner.
Some of our top-selling DEFRA approved stoves include the Stovax Edge. This stunning multi-fuel burner has five kW of heat output. It is made to be as energy efficient as possible and is awarded the highest environmental standard - ClearSkies 5.
It's important to know that DEFRA approval doesn't necessarily mean that your stove isn't efficient but you should still look for a model with a good efficiency rating when selecting one. The greater the efficiency the greater the amount of fuel can be transformed into heat and the lower your heating bill.
If you're looking for a wood burning stove that is Defra approved design, check for models with a 5" flue outlet as they can be used with a 5" liner. This is a great choice for chimneys that cannot accommodate the 6" lining. It can also help you save money on installation. The Stove Yard installed a number Defra-approved wood stoves with 5" outlets due to this and the customers were pleased, as they could avoid the cost of upgrading to an even larger chimney liner.
Reduced DEFRA approved sustainable stoves is essential to use a DEFRA-approved stove if you live in a region where smoke control is enforced. These stoves are able to burn coal, wood and various kinds of smokeless fuels, without releasing any smoke. This is because they've been tested to make sure that they comply with the strict guidelines put in place by the government. DEFRA multifuel stoves are extremely popular. These stoves are sold through many online retailers as well in stores throughout the UK.
The term DEFRA approved stove is often mistaken for the more formal term of a DEFRA exempt stove, but these are two distinct things. The term DEFRA-exempt signifies that the stove is approved by DEFRA to ensure that you are permitted to burn certain types of fuel legally within your home. If you reside in a smoke-free zone and do not have an DEFRA exempt stove, you will be fined PS1000.
Stoves approved by DEFRA have met the strict specifications of the Ecodesign Directive. This directive places an upper limit of 40 micrograms per cubic metre on the amount of airborne particulates which can be released by the flue gases of a stove during normal operation. As a result, modern stoves that burn clean like those made by Arada produce significantly less particulates. In fact, swapping your old stove for a new one could see you reduce the emissions of particulates by up to 90%!!
A Defra approved stove is able to burn a variety of different fuels such as smokeless coal, logs and Briquettes. It will provide a large level of heat, flames and light from any fuel you choose to use in it. It will also offer you an excellent level of combustion to ensure that you obtain the maximum heat of your fuel as possible.
The most significant pollutant that solid fuels emit, such as wood, is ultra-fine particle matter (PM2.5), that is more well-known as. This can cause irritation to the eyes and aggravate asthma symptoms. By replacing an older stove with a DEFRA-approved stove, you can reduce particulate emissions to as much as 80%.
Easy Maintenance
There are a lot of things to think about when selecting the right stove for your home. You have to consider the style, material as well as the heat output. If you live in an area that is under a Smoke Control Area (SCA), it is crucial to choose an approved DEFRA-approved stove.
Defra approved appliances can burn a vast range of woods and smokeless fuels and produce no nuisance smoke. They have been thoroughly inspected to ensure they meet the strict standards for emissions and smoke levels.
A stove that is approved by Defra is more eco-friendly than previous stove generations. This is because the latest models are designed with clean burning technology which means that they produce less harmful emissions when you use them. Numerous stove makers, such as Arada, Stovax, and Hi-Flame, have developed secondary and tertiary combustion systems to further reduce the emissions of their stoves. This has reduced the amount smoke they release.
A Defra stove will also be easier to maintain. Since they burn more efficiently, you'll find that you don't need to clean the stove or flue system quite often. This will extend the lifespan of your stove and keep it working efficiently for a longer amount of time.
You may have heard of a DEFRA wood stove, but aren't sure what it is. A Defra stove is a wood burner that has been endorsed by the UK government's Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) in order to allow it to be used in Smoke Control Areas. If you have a wood-burning appliance in your home, but it's not Defra-approved and you're in violation of the law by using it.
Purchasing a Defra stove will not only help you avoid the risk of breaking the law, it can also save you money on fuel expenses and make your neighbors happy. If you have any concerns do not hesitate to contact us at Choice Stoves.