Why Buying a DEFRA Stove is Important If You Live in a Smoke Control Area
Buying a wood burning stove is a decision that is entirely personal and there are a variety of factors to take into consideration. If you live in an area where smoke is controlled, it's important to have a DEFRA-approved stove.
DEFRA approved stoves, or smoke exempt stoves, are wood-burning multifuel appliances that have been independently tested and proved to emit the lowest levels of emissions. They can be used in Smoke Control Areas when burning approved fuels such as lekto night briquettes, or heat logs.
Cleaner Burning
Wood burning stoves are becoming more popular because people realize that they can help reduce greenhouse gasses and also save money on electricity 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 the emissions levels are as low as is possible. You can relax in the fire without worrying about the impact it has on the environment if you purchase a DEFRA-approved stove.
A Defra approved stove (also called a DEFRA smoke exempt appliance) has been tested and verified to meet the strict requirements of the government regarding the amount of smoke it can produce. These stoves are able to be used in smoke controlled areas where burning unauthorised fuel is not allowed, and are also compatible with a wider variety of fuels than other non-Defra approved models.
The Defra logo is usually visible on the product's pages. The UK government department responsible for DEFRA (Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) have very strict rules about what can be burned in smoke control zones and using an unapproved stove in these areas could lead to fines. The Defra approval means that you can be confident that your stove will be safe to use with authorised fuels in zones of smoke control, and it is a good idea to determine if your home is located in a Smoke Control Area prior to buying the stove.
The DEFRA woodburner can reduce particle emissions by up to 80% compared to older stoves. Due to the cleaner combustion technology that is included in these stoves, they have been found to reduce particulate emissions by as much as 80%. This helps to improve the quality of indoor air and reduces the health risks posed by polluted air, especially in low income households that rely on traditional wood stoves to heat their homes.
Better Heat Output
DEFRA stoves are subjected to rigorous testing to ensure that they are in compliance with the UK government's strict regulations. Low emissions and a high efficiency of combustion can help reduce waste. Additionally, they are eco friendly, this means that you'll get a better heat output from your stove, meaning you'll need less wood to keep your home warm.
The stoves that have been approved by Defra can be used in smoke control zones, and with fuels such as peat and wood. They have been independently tested, and it has been established that they burn wood so effectively that there isn't any smoke. Air wash systems are fitted to them, helping to cleanse the glass and get rid of any deposits of tar.
They are effective in reducing smoke that the UK government has introduced laws to stop people from burning unauthorised fuel at home. It is illegal to emit dark smoke from a chimney unless it is exempt or burning a fuel that is authorised such as wood. This is why you require a DEFRA approved stove or Ecodesign-ready wood burner for those who reside in the Smoke Control Area.
Stovax Edge is one of our most sought-after DEFRA approved stoves. It is a stunning multi-fuel stove with a high temperature output of 5kW. It is designed to be energy-efficient and has been awarded the highest environmental rating, ClearSkies 5.
It's important to know that DEFRA approval does not mean your stove will be efficient. However you should choose a model that has a high efficiency rating. The higher the efficiency rating the higher the amount of fuel it can be converted to heat and reduce the cost of heating.
If view it looking for a wood burning stove with a Defra approved design, check for models with a 5" flue outlet since these will be able to be used with a 5" liner. This is a great choice for those who are installing a stove in an existing chimney stack that cannot accommodate a 6" liner and could help to save money on the expense of installing. Stove Yard Stove Yard has installed a number of Defra approved wood stoves with 5" outlets to accommodate this and discovered that customers are happy because they don't have to pay the extra expense of converting to a larger chimney liner.
Reduced Emissions
It is crucial to make use of a DEFRA-approved stove when you live in an area where smoke control is in place. These stoves are capable of burning wood, coal and certain types of smokeless fuels without generating any smoke. They have been tested for compliance with the strict guidelines established by the government. DEFRA multifuel stoves are extremely popular. They are available from numerous online retailers as well in retail stores all over the UK.
The term DEFRA approved stove is often misinterpreted as the more formal term of the DEFRA exempt stove, but these are two different things. The term DEFRA exempt refers to the fact that the stove has been approved by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to ensure that you can legally burn certain fuels within your home. If you reside in a smoke-free area and don't have a DEFRA exempt stove, you'll be penalized by PS1000.
Stoves that are endorsed by DEFRA will have met the strict requirements laid out in the Ecodesign directive. This directive sets the limit of 40 micrograms per cubic metre of the amount of airborne particulates that can be released by the flue gasses of a stove during normal operation. Modern, clean-burning stoves, like the ones from Arada are able to produce lower levels of particulates. In fact, switching an old stove for a brand new one could see you reduce your particulate emissions by as much as 90%!!
A stove that is approved by Defra can burn a variety of fuels, including smokeless coal, briquettes and logs. The stove will generate a lot of heat, light and flames depending on the fuel that you select. It also offers a high degree of combustion, ensuring that you can gain as much heat from your fuel as you can.
The most significant pollutant that is released by solid fuels like wood is ultra-fine particle matter (PM2.5), which is also known as. This can cause irritation of the eyes and worsen asthma symptoms. Swapping an older stove for a DEFRA approved stove could cut particulate emissions by 80%, while replacing an open fire would see you slash them by up to 90%!
Easy Maintenance
There are a lot of things to think about when selecting the right stove for your home. You have to consider the design, material, heat output and more. If you live in an area that is the Smoke Control Area (SCA), it is crucial to choose an approved DEFRA stove.
Defra approved appliances can burn a wide range of smokeless and wood fuels and do not emit any noxious smoke. They have been thoroughly examined to ensure they meet the strict requirements for emissions and smoke levels.
A stove that is approved by Defra is more environmentally friendly than older stove models. The newer models have been designed with clean-burning technology, so they produce less harmful emissions. Numerous stove makers, such as Arada, Stovax, and Hi-Flame, have developed secondary and tertiary burning systems to further reduce the emissions from their stoves. This has reduced the amount smoke they emit.
A Defra stove will also be more easy to maintain. Because they burn more cleanly and efficiently, you'll notice that you don't have to clean your stove or flue system quite often. This can help prolong the life of your stove and allow it to run efficiently for a longer period of time.
You might have heard of a DEFRA wood stove, but you aren't sure what it is. A Defra Stove is a stove made of wood that has been approved for use in Smoke Control Areas by the UK Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs. You may have a wood burning stove in your home but it is not Defra approved, so you could be in violation of the law using it.
Defra stoves are not only a great way to avoid breaking the law but also to save fuel costs and make your neighbours happy. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us at Choice Stoves.