Why Buy a Defra Wood Burner?
If you reside in a smoke control area, you’ll require a Defra-approved stove. The stoves are available in different designs that will fit your home.
The top air vent has been modified so that you can’t close it all the way. This will cause the fire to smolder and create more smoke.
Smoke Exempt
If you reside in a smoke-control zone, you may want to purchase a Defra approved wood burner. These stoves were designed to allow you to burn kiln dried logs and other authorized fuels without producing large amounts of smoke. They do this by providing the minimum amount of combustion air to keep your fire burning efficiently and avoiding unnecessary smoke emissions.
You’ll find the Defra logo on many brochures and marketing materials for DEFRA stoves specifications specific models. It’s sometimes referred to as ‘SE,’ which is a reference to Smoke Exempt Stove and is used to show that the appliance can be legally used in a smoking space when using approved fuels.
DEFRA stoves for sale approved appliances are built to meet the new Ecodesign emission standards that went into effect in 2021. They are higher than the limits set by the previous smoke control laws but lower than the standards that will be set under a planned Clean Air Act in 2030.
It’s important to check the specifications of your stove before you buy it as some will have the Defra exempt label that is just a marketing label rather than being a genuine Defra approval. A recent investigation by CAL identified a number of serious problems with the new Ecodesign limitations, including insufficient testing, confusion and duplication with existing smoke control regulations and the inability of manufacturers to properly inform consumers about this information.
You can purchase an non Defra approved stove for those who reside in a smoke-free area. However, you will have to purchase a specific fuel kit if you want to comply with the laws. In addition, you’ll have adhere to the rules regarding the types of fuel that you can burn.
This is a complex problem that needs to be addressed in order 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 solved. They are less harmful than traditional house coke and sulphurised coal. This should help to keep your Defra stove in line with the law while helping you enjoy the benefits of less smoke and a cleaner fireplace and reducing your heating expenses.
Clean Combustion
The main reason for owning the DEFRA is that you can legally burn logs in smoke control zones and not risk being fined. But this is not the only reason to think about purchasing one – these stoves also come with clean combustion technology that is better for the environment as well as your health.
When stoves that are Defra-approved are used properly, (burning only dry wood that has been seasoned and is ready to burn’), they can reduce pollution by as much as a fourth in comparison to older appliances and open fires. This, combined with regular chimney sweeps to ensure the flue is functioning properly, can help reduce the amount of harmful particulates that enter your home.
The primary pollutant that is released during the burning of solid fuels like logs is ultra-fine particulate matter, which can penetrate deep into the lungs, and could cause a variety of health problems. This includes asthma symptoms as well as general feeling of being sick.
This type 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 install an Ecodesign ready wood burner. These wood burners have been tested by an independent lab to ensure they produce less toxic PM2.5 than older stoves and open fires.
Additionally, Defra stoves and wood burning stoves which meet the new Ecodesign requirements are designed to let as much fresh air into the fire as is possible to ensure they don’t get smoky or overheat. This reduces the amount of pollution that is released and improves the efficiency of heat so that you’ll get more warmth using less energy.
The Defra-approved wood burners we stock are all tested to meet the standards and Defra stoves specifications can be purchased as standalone stoves or as a kit for existing fireplaces. You can then select the most Defra-compliant stove that is suitable for your home, and ensure your investment in case legislation changes in the future. If you’d like to find out more about the Defra approved stoves we the store, contact our team of experts or visit your local showroom today.
Reduced Emissions
Wood burning stoves are a popular choice as they offer a cosy inexpensive and sustainable method to heat your home. Many people are unaware that even’smokeless ‘ stoves’ emit high levels harmful pollution. The primary pollutant produced by wood burning stoves is ultra-fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that can easily penetrate the human respiratory system. A short-term exposure to PM2.5 is associated with asthma lung infections, asthma, and cardiovascular problems.
The DEFRA recommended stoves approved stoves are built to emit a minimum amount of emissions. However the fuel type that is used can have a significant impact on the amount of pollution produced. This is why it is crucial to make use of dry, seasoned wood that has been dried for at least two years. Aduro is one example. It produces smokeless fuels that have been approved by Defra.
Modern Defra-approved stoves will be designed to conform to new Ecodesign regulations that impose higher standards for manufacturing than prior. 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 a much lower limit than the 7.5g/hour that was previously set for older stoves.
Despite these reductions however, domestic coal and wood burning still contributes to around 17 percent of UK fine particle pollution according to the Government. But 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 remember that Defra approved stoves will continue to be the main source of fine particle pollution in the UK. The best method to lessen the negative effects of these stoves is to limit the amount of wood you burn and using Ready to Burn certified fuels that have a moisture content below 20 percent. The fire will burn at a lower heat and will produce more pollutants. It also causes the glass of the stove to darken faster and causes a quicker buildup of soot in the chimney.
Eco-Friendly
Defra wood burners offer a wide range of environmental benefits, including clean and efficient combustion, lower emissions and potential cost savings. They are also available in a variety of styles to meet the needs of any home, and have the added benefit of being are a sustainable method of heating, as opposed to fossil fuels, such as oil or gas.
The term ‘Defra Approved Stove’ refers the fact that they comply with the laws of the government concerning their use in Smoke Control Areas. They have an improved top air control that prevents the user from closing the door completely and also reducing the air supply which would hinder proper combustion of the fuel and cause the stove to smoke, producing more smoke and emitting harmful gases into the atmosphere.
Stove manufacturers are increasingly incorporating technology into their products that will improve the eco-credentials of their stoves and assist them to be compliant with the new laws. For example, they are using secondary and tertiary combustion systems that reduce the amount of combustibles part-burned that enter your chimney as black smoke. They also reduce the amount of emissions and carbon footprint.
If you live in a smoke-controlled area, a Defra-approved stove is essential if you wish to continue using wood and other approved fuels and not in violation of the law. These stoves are independently tested to ensure that they are in compliance with laws. They will continue to do this until new legislation is enacted.
A Defra Approved stove can be used with 5″ liner when burning authorized fuels. It works best with wood with a moisture content of less than 20%. This will ensure that the combustion is clean, which results in less emissions and a greater lifespan for your flue and chimney system.
If you don’t live in a smoke control zone, then there is no need to buy a defra stoves specifications stove, but there are plenty of reasons you should consider one even if you do not reside in a smoke-free area. They look beautiful, are an excellent source of heat, and reduce your impact on the environment.