Why Buy a Defra Wood Burner?
If you reside in an area designated as a Smoke Control Area then you will require a Defra approved stove. They are available in a variety of styles to fit your home.
They have been modified to stop you from closing the top air vent all the way when you do this, it will cause the fire to smoke and creates more smoke.
Smoke Exempt
If you live in a smoke-control area, you may want to purchase a Defra-approved wood burner. These stoves are designed to allow you to burn kiln dried logs and other approved fuels without producing large amounts of smoke. They accomplish this by supplying the least amount of combustion air required to keep your fire burning efficiently and avoiding unnecessary smoke emissions.
The Defra approved logo is a widely recognised one within the stove industry and you'll often find it in brochures and marketing materials for specific models. It can also be written with the letter 'SE', which means Smoke Exempt stove and is used to signify that the stove is legal to use in a smoke-control area when using approved fuels.
Defra approved stoves are built to meet new Ecodesign emission limits that have been in effect since 2021. They are more than the standards established by the old smoke control laws, but lower than the standards that will be established under a proposed Clean Air Act in 2030.
It is important to check the specifications of your stove prior to purchasing it. Some will have the Defra exemption label, which is a marketing label and not a real Defra approval. Recent CAL investigation revealed some serious issues with the new Ecodesign limits, including inadequate testing and confusion with existing regulations for smoke control. Manufacturers also failed communicate this information to the consumers.
You can purchase an non Defra approved stove if you reside in a smoke-free area. However, you'll have to purchase a specific fuel kit to comply with the laws. In addition, you'll need adhere to the rules regarding the kinds of fuel that you can burn.
This is a complicated issue that must be addressed to ensure clean air in the UK and to keep the environment healthy. It's best to use kiln-dried logs or other approved fuels for your defra stove until the issue is solved. They are safer than traditional house coke and sulfurised coal. This will allow you to keep your Defra approved stove in compliance with law, while also giving you the option of a cleaner and less smoky fireplace. You'll also reduce your heating bills.
Clean Combustion
The primary reason to own a DEFRA wood burner is that it allows you to legally burn logs in smoke control areas, without the threat of being fined. However, this isn't the only reason you should consider buying one. These stoves also come with clean combustion technology that is more beneficial for the environment and your health.
When Defra-approved stoves are used correctly (burning only dry wood that has been seasoned and is 'Ready to burn'), they can reduce pollution by as much as a fourth when compared to older appliances and open fires. In visit this link with regular chimney sweeps, which also ensure that the flue is operating correctly, this can dramatically reduce the amount of harmful particulate matter that can be found in your home.
Ultra-fine particulates constitute the principal pollutant emitted from burning solid fuels such as logs. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing a variety of health issues. This includes asthma symptoms and a general feeling of being sick.
This kind of air pollution can be reduced by making use of Defra exempt stoves, and only burning dry wood in them however the most efficient way to cut the amount of PM2.5 in your home is to use an Ecodesign ready wood burner. These wood burners have been tested independently to ensure they produce less toxic PM2.5 when compared to older open fires and stoves.
In addition, Defra stoves and wood burning stoves that comply with the Ecodesign standards are designed to allow the most fresh air to enter the fire as possible so they don't smoke or overheat. This reduces the amount of pollutants emitted and increases the heat efficiency, so you'll get more warmth using less energy.
The Defra-approved wood burners that we offer have been tested to meet the standards and can be purchased as standalone stoves or as a set for existing fireplaces. You can then choose the best Defra-compliant stove for your home, and ensure your investment in case laws change in the near future. If you'd like to find out more about the Defra approved stoves that we stock, contact our team of experts or visit our showrooms today.
Reduced Emissions
Wood-burning stoves are a very popular choice because they provide a warm inexpensive and sustainable method to heat your home. Many people are unaware that even smokeless stoves emit high levels harmful pollution. The primary pollutant emitted by wood burning stoves is ultra-fine particles (PM2.5), that can easily penetrate the human respiratory system. In short-term exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to a variety of health issues, including asthma, lung infections and heart problems.
The Defra approved stoves are made to produce the least amount of emissions. However the fuel type used can have a significant impact on the amount of pollution produced. It is therefore essential to use seasoned, dry wood that has been dried for at least two years. Aduro for instance, produces smokeless fuels that have been approved by Defra.
Modern Defra approved stoves will have been designed to comply with the new Ecodesign regulations, which have set stricter manufacturing limits than they did before. The new rules stipulate that any stove that is installed in a Smoke Control Area must emit less than 5g of particles per hour. This is considerably less than the 7.5g/hour limit that was in place for older stoves.
According to the UK Government, despite these cuts, wood and coal combustion in domestic homes still accounts for 17 percent of fine particle pollution in the UK. The most recent figures however, reveal that wood and coal burning accounts for less than one-quarter of the total impact of particles from all sources. This includes roads and industrial processes.
It is important to remember that Defra approved stoves will always be an important source of fine particle pollution in the UK. Reduce the amount of wood you burn, and only make use of fuels that have a moisture content under 20 percent. The fire will burn at a lower heat, resulting in more pollutants. In addition, it causes the stove glass to turn black more quickly and results in the faster accumulation of soot within the chimney.
Eco-Friendly
Defra wood burning stoves offer many environmental benefits, including efficient and clean combustion as well as reduced emissions. They also provide the possibility of cost savings. They are also available in various styles to suit every home and come with the added advantage that they are a green method of heating as opposed to fossil fuels like gas or oil.
The term "Defra Approved Stoves' refers the fact that they conform to regulations of the government pertaining to their use in Smoke Control Areas. They have an improved top air control that stops the user from closing the door completely and also reducing the air supply which could hinder the proper combustion of the fuel and cause the stove to smoke creating more smoke and releasing more harmful gases into the air.
Manufacturers are increasingly incorporating new technologies into their products to enhance their environmental credentials and to comply with new legislation. They utilize secondary and tertiary technology to reduce the amount of combustibles part-burned that are emitted through your chimney as black smoke. This helps reduce your emissions and carbon footprint.
If you live in a smoke-free zone, a stove that is Defra-approved is required in order to continue using wood and authorised fuels while not breaking the law. These stoves are independently tested to ensure they comply with the law. They will continue to do this when new legislation is introduced.
A Defra Approved stove can be used with a 5" liner when burning authorized fuels. It works best with wood that has a moisture content less than 20%. This will ensure that the burn is clean, resulting in low emissions and a longer time span for your flue as well as chimney system.
If you do not live in a smoke control area then there is no reason to buy a Defra stove, but there are plenty of reasons you should consider one even if you do not live in a smoke controlled area. They are beautiful, provide a great source of heat, and help reduce your environmental impact.