What is a Defra Log Burner?

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) regulates the emission of smoke from wood burning stoves. There are regulations prohibiting chimney smoke from Smoke Control Areas except if you are using an exempt appliance or fuel that is authorised.

The new rules limit amount of smoke a stove can emit to 3g per hour and Fireplaces And Stove homeowners are subject to hefty fines on the spot in the event of non-compliance. To keep this from happening, Fireplaces And Stove only use log burners approved by Defra and burn kiln dried wood that is marked with the 'Ready to Burn" label.

What is a Defra certified stove?

A stove that is Defra-approved that has passed the DEFRA test. Therefore, it is exempt from the smoke control laws in areas where wood (and other authorised materials) are permitted to be burned. The Defra logo is well-known and is widely used by the industry. Stoves that are Defra approved usually have SE (Smoke Exempt) in their name as an easy way to recognize them.

The Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs must test stoves that have been Defra approved to ensure that they meet the strict standards for emissions. These tests are designed to ensure that stoves offer maximum heat output with ultra low levels of smoke emissions. These low emissions are usually achieved by ensuring combustion gases are reburned in the second burning. This is crucial because it allows the combustion to continue efficiently while reducing the amount combustibles released into the air.

DEFRA exempted stoves are green as they cut down on the amount part-burned combustibles sent down the chimney. Contrary to some stoves that have to close the air vents in order to allow them to rest overnight, Defra exempt stoves always keep their flue open, meaning they are less likely to release part-burnt combustibles into the chimney where they can hinder its flow.

You can buy a Defra-approved wood burning stove whether you live in a smoke controlled area or not. It will make your neighbors happy, and keep your chimney in good condition for longer. You can buy Defra exempt stoves in a range of designs and styles, and there are plenty of options to suit both traditional and contemporary homes.

Many people choose a Defra approved wood burning stove for the minimalist and sleek design. These stoves are ideal for contemporary living spaces. They can be placed in a fireplace chamber or inglenook, or they can be freestanding. There are a variety of contemporary stoves like the Aarrow i400 or the minimal Farringdon that would look great in any room. You can also purchase Defra Exempt Stoves in traditionally styled stoves such as the Saxon A08E and the Arizona A08E.

What is an Defra Exempt Stove?

A Defra Exempt or Defra Approved Stove is a wood-burning stove that has been tested and approved by the government's DEFRA department to be fitted in Smoke Control Areas. The Defra stoves are designed to emit a minimal amount of smoke and harmful emission while also generating an extremely high level of heat for your house.

You must have an Defra approved stove if you reside in Smoke-Control Area. If you don't you won't be allowed to legally install a wood-burning stove or multi-fuel stove that hasn't been approved by DEFRA. You could be facing an expensive fine if you install an unapproved stove in your home.

Defra approved stoves have had their combustion air system modified to limit the amount oxygen that can get to the wood during the burning process. Modifying the air vent on top is the method used to achieve this. The stove can still let air in even though the vent is shut completely. This stops the firewood from smouldering and preventing it from being starved for air.

From the outside of an Defra stove you will not be able to tell that it is different from any other wood-burning stove. The unnoticed combustion air adjustment is usually hidden beneath the stove's base or in the top front of the stove.

Most Defra stoves will only be approved to burn wood and certain kinds of approved smokeless fuels, such as anthracite or Homefire brand smokeless coal. However, there are a number of Defra stoves that are multi-fuel approved and can be used to burn a range of different fuels.

You can choose a Defra Stove for a variety of reasons regardless whether you reside in a zone of smoke control or not. Defra stoves are better for the environment, they produce less smoke and they help keep your chimney free of ash. They are also safer for your home since they provide more heat and fewer toxins in the air.

What is an Smoke Control Exempt Stove?

A Defra wood burning stove, also called a Defra exempted stove or Defra approved smoke control stove, is a stove which has been tested rigorously by the UK Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs. This test measures the amount of smoke and emissions that the stove produces throughout its normal operation. Only stoves that pass the Defra test are able to be used within Smoke Control Areas in cities and larger towns.

The test also ensures that the stove is able to be used with authorized fuels, including smokeless coal and anthracite. A log burner that has been certified by Defra is also more environmentally friendly, and helps to avoid annoying neighbours with nuisance emissions.

Defra approved wood burners have been able to have their combustion air control modified, usually in the firebox or on the top of the stove. This modification stops the user from closing the air control completely way, since this could starve the stove of oxygen and cause it to release excessive quantities of smoke.

A Defra approved stove, or Defra exempt stove as it's sometimes referred to, should still be maintained regularly to ensure it's functioning correctly. This includes cleaning the chimney and flue regularly making sure there aren't any obstructions making sure that the firebox and grate are free of debris, and keeping the airflow through the chimney free of restrictions.

It is not a requirement to own a Defra-exempted stove, but it is a good idea to do so especially if your house is located outside of an area designated as a Smoke Control Area. These stoves are more efficient and can save you a lot of money in the long run. Additionally to that, a Defra approved stove can reduce the amount of dust and smoke that enters your living space, making it a better choice for your health and the health of your neighbors.

At Nordpeis we offer a variety of DEFRA approved stoves in traditional and contemporary designs. To determine if you live in a Smoke Control Area and would like to discuss your options, contact your local Varde retailer.

What is a Clean Burn Technology Stove?

Clean Burn Technology offers a better burn quality and is the future of Fireplaces And Stove and stoves. This means a lesser amount of dust from the air which is good for the environment and can save money on fuel costs since you can are able to get more heating from the same logs. These stoves are efficient enough that they have resulted in an easing of the need for chimney sweeps since less soot is produced. As the top stove manufacturers create their products they have integrated secondary and tertiary combustion systems to reduce the emissions of the stove, and decrease the carbon footprint of their users.

A stove that is approved by Defra can be used not only in Smoke Control Areas but also in a well built chimney that is well-insulated and insulated in any home. These wood burning stoves and multi-fuel models come in a variety of styles to meet your preferences. There are many choices for traditional and contemporary stoves in various colors and finishes that match your decor. These stoves are also available in a variety of sizes, so you can find the perfect one for your fireplace or inglenook.

All Defra approved stoves have been subjected to stringent testing and examination to ensure they abide by the Department of Environment Regulations and have low emissions and high efficiency in combustion, so that you are assured that you are making use of your fuel in an environmentally sustainable manner and saving money on heating expenses as well. Making sure you use only dry kiln dried wood that is ready to burn will improve the performance of your stove and help in reducing its emissions.

If you live in a smoke-free area and want to experience the warmth of a wood burner then a Defra Approved Stove is a great option. Many of our customers who have bought a Defra stove are already enjoying the advantages of a cleaner environment and have experienced savings on their energy bills. We suggest that you get your stove installed by a qualified gas engineer to ensure that the installation meets the necessary building regulations. It is recommended that your stove be checked and maintained on a regular basis to ensure its performance is maintained and to avoid having to make costly repairs in the future.