What is a DEFRA Approved Wood Burning Stove?
If you reside in a smoke-free area you will need a DEFRA approved wood-burning stove. These stoves allow you to legally use authorized fuels without violating the law or causing upset to your neighbors.
The latest Defra approved stoves provide the latest technology for clean burning, employing secondary and tertiary systems of combustion to reduce emissions. Typically, they are capable of being used with a wide range of approved smokeless fuels.
Defra Approved
The term '
DEFRA approved sustainable stoves approved stove' may appear to be a confusing phrase, but in actual fact, it simply refers to wood-burning stove that has been granted an exemption from UK smoke control areas. To be eligible for Defra approval a stove must undergo rigorous testing. If successful it is given the official title of
5kw defra multifuel stove Smoke Exempt Appliance.
Stoves that are Defra approved are able to only burn approved fuels and obviously, wood - and they have to do it efficiently and with minimal smoke. These stoves are equipped with the most recent combustion technology, which prevents part-burned combustibles from going through the chimney and into the air. This is beneficial for the environment and also reduces the risk of a blocked chimney.
We have a range of multi-fuel stoves, both modern and traditional. This includes the striking Portway Arundel XL, which has a large, panoramic glass panel that lets you to enjoy the mesmerising allure of a crackling fire while also having a full view of the flames and glow.
It comes with an A energy rating as well as the ability to burn logs overnight and a body made of steel that is extremely heat-retaining, and is Defra approved and priced at PS1,499. The Bohemia X60 Cube Multifuel stove is a different alternative to consider. This multifuel DEFRA stove has an output of between 3 and 9kW and an impressive A plus efficiency in heating, making it a superb option for those living in smoke controlled areas.
For those seeking something more traditional, you can choose the ESSE 700 Vista. It's an Defra approved stove that offers high-quality and style. It boasts an A+ rating and is able to be used in a DEFRA Smoke Control Zone due to its unique twin catalytics technology. This is a top-quality stove and it also meets the new Eco Design 2022 regulations.
Eco Design Ready
Eco Design regulations are an essential component of the UK Government's clean air policy. These regulations were introduced to limit harmful emissions from wood-burning stoves throughout the UK. It is now illegal for a stove to be made that does not meet the Ecodesign regulations. Stoves that are already in the supply chain may continue to be sold, however after 2022, all new installations must be Eco Design compliant.
As a member of the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) we carry a selection of Eco Design approved wood burning stoves that have been independently tested and proven to offer lower particulate levels when compared to open fires. SIA Eco Design stoves also generate 80% fewer CO2 emissions than open fire.
The testing process involves measuring particulate matter (PM) organic gaseous compounds (OGC) and carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). You can be assured that a SIA-approved Eco Design stove has been designed to minimize the production of these harmful chemical.
To be deemed Eco Design Ready, a stove has to achieve lower emissions levels in all of these tests - an increase in efficiency of the fuel and a reduction in the amount of harmful by-products that are produced are also key. Many of our Eco Design approved wood burners come with advanced combustion technologies including secondary air supplies and catalytic converters that help in limiting the production of harmful emissions in operation.
Not only are Eco Design approved stoves better for the environment, but they're also more cost-effective to run. This is because Eco Design stoves consume less fuel to produce the exact same amount of heat. You'll save money on your energy bills. A wood-burning stove will also help you to heat your home more efficiently. By using wood to power your stove, you're able to free yourself from the rising cost of gas and electricity.
Exempt
The stoves exempted by Defra have been tested and inspected to ensure they are legal to use in Smoke Control Areas. This means that you can burn wood or other approved fuels in them (including various types of smokeless fuels).
They are designed to provide the smallest amount of air required for a clean and efficient burn. They produce less smoke than older open fires or wood burning stoves. They are also energy efficient and offer a cost-effective solution to heat your home.
They are not just an excellent option for those living in Smoke Control Areas but they can also be a great alternative to fossil fuels generally. They are usually less expensive than gas or electric fires and, if you are using local logs, they're also carbon-neutral.
If you live in Smoke-Control Area where only dry wood that has been seasoned can be used in your DEFRA-exempt stove. The burning of damp or wet logs can lead to excessive smoke, which is illegal and will result in the levy of a fine.
You can contact your local authority if you're unsure if you live in a smoke control area. These areas are often large cities and towns where smoke pollution is a major problem for residents.
All of the DEFRA approved wood-burning stoves we have in stock have been independently tested and certified to meet strict EU standards. They include minimum efficiencies OGV, NOX and NOX ceilings, as well as emission limits. The new EU Ecodesign regulations 2022 will tighten up these requirements. Contact your stove's manufacturer if thinking of buying one to make sure it is compliant with.
Stove manufacturers are constantly improving their products by incorporating secondary and tertiary combustion systems being used to lower the emissions of their stoves even more. With the introduction of these new technologies, DEFRA stoves are becoming even more environmentally responsible and cost effective for homeowners who need a reliable alternative to their traditional open fire or inefficient electric stove.
Smoke Control Area
A DEFRA approved stove, also referred to as a Defra exempt stove, is a wood burning multi fuel stove that has complied with the rigorous UK government Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs guidelines for smoke emissions. The stove is able to emit some amount of smoke in normal operation. You can quickly identify a DEFRA stove by looking for the logo or label on the stove or on its packaging. The majority of reputable stove retailers advertise that their stoves are DEFRA-approved in their websites and their showrooms in stores.
If you reside in the Smoke Control Area, it is vital that you use a DEFRA approved log burner or wood burning. These areas are designated by local authorities and are typically urban locations with high population density. The purpose of the Smoke Control Area regulations is to ensure healthy air quality standards by restricting the amount of particulate matter released into the atmosphere from residential homes due to combustion. If you use a non-
DEFRA stove in the Smoke Control Area, you could face hefty fines.
DEFRA approved stoves aren't only in compliance with the government's regulations They also provide additional benefits. The stoves are also highly efficient, resulting in a lower energy consumption and less carbon footprint. They also come with advanced features that make them more secure than open fires. They include thermocouple sensors,
Defra stove and automatic venting.
Stove manufacturers have also developed secondary and tertiary combustion technologies to further reduce the emissions of their stoves.