The Benefits of DEFRA Exempt Wood Burners

DEFRA approved wood burning stoves are an excellent option for homeowners who live in smoke control zones. These particular log burners have been through rigorous testing and are able to function within the strict guidelines.

Stoves that are approved will bear an 'SE' which stands for Smoke Exempt. They are able to be used in smoke controlled areas but only when burning Defra Approved Fuels which include wood and manufactured smokeless fuels.

Smoke Exempt

DEFRA exempt wood burning stoves, or Defra approved stoves are made to abide by the Department of Environment's (DEFRA) regulations. The stoves were tested and inspected in order to ensure that they efficiently burn fuel and produce little or no smoke. They emit very low levels of carbon dioxide and their efficiency in combustion allows them to re-burn part-burned combustibles such as soot and ash before they escape down your chimney.

If you live in an area designated as a Smoke-Control Area, it is important that your stove is DEFRA exempt. It should also permit you to use approved fuels. Smoke from your chimney is illegal when you don't use an exempt appliance, or DEFRA registered Stoves fuels that have been approved. Defra exempt stoves are also better for your chimney, as they burn fuel more cleanly and produce less smoke, so your flue and chimney stay cleaner for longer.

We have a range of Defra-exempt stoves that include those from Stovax and Arada. We only sell the best quality products which means you can be certain that your new stove is an excellent addition to your home.

There is a popular misconception that you have to purchase a DEFRA registered stoves - Read the Full Write-up - exempt stove if you reside in a smoke control area, however this is not the case. You can still have a non-DEFRA-compliant fireplace in your home, provided it has a 6" (150mm), flue liner and can be used with authorised briquettes.

If you want to be sure that you are allowed to legally burn wood in your DEFRA exempt stove, then we suggest you select one of our Defra approved models. These stoves were designed to comply with the UK's strict environmental standards. They've been tested and certified to be DEFRA exempt, which means that they only emit minimal amounts of smoke. They also consume less energy than traditional stoves, which means you can heat your property using fewer logs. You can choose from a variety of Defra models that come in a variety of colours and styles.

Clean Burn

Open fires and wood-burning stoves can generate smoke that can be harmful to the health of people in your home as the people who live nearby. Fine particles in the smoke can trigger respiratory issues, including asthma. Luckily, modern DEFRA exempt stoves have been developed to greatly reduce the harmful effects.

These wood burners were thoroughly tested and inspected in order to ensure they are in compliance with Department of Environment regulations. They also have been designed to use fuel more efficiently, so that they emit fewer pollutants. These stoves also emit clear vapour instead of the dark smoke associated with older open fires and log burning stoves.

The reason the smoke particles in these modern DEFRA exempt stoves are much lower is because they have been designed with secondary and tertiary airflow systems. This means that the air within the combustion chamber is continuously being circulated, which makes it more difficult for the particles to escape into the chimney.

This also means that you can only burn fuels that are authorised on your DEFRA exempt wood stove (such as dry seasoned firewood). The airflow system in these modern stoves also helps keep the combustion chamber spotless so that the buildup of soot is reduced, and gas can easily escape from the flue.

In reality, a new DEFRA approved wood stove fitted with an EcoDesign baffle will generate around 450 times less pollution than an open fire or old fashioned log burning stove according to Defra. Installing one of these modern, efficient stoves in a Smoke Control Area is crucial to protect your health as well as the health of your neighbors.

You can also install an DEFRA Approved multi-fuel stove and use a variety of different fuels including peat, briquettes, and other types of manufactured solid fuels that are available for purchase at supermarkets. It is recommended to only burn 'Ready To Burn" seasoned dry wood. Never burn treated or painted wood since they can cause more pollution than untreated timber.

Easy Maintenance

A DEFRA-exempt stove for wood burning is easy to maintain. Regular cleaning and maintenance checks will aid in prolonging the life of the stove. These types of stoves are also extremely efficient, offering cost savings on your heating bill and reduce your fuel consumption by up to 50 percent. They produce less emissions than other stoves, and are an environmentally sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

The wood stoves are easily installed and are suitable for a variety of homes, particularly in urban areas. They have passed Defra tests, which means you are able to legally use them in smoke control zones without breaking the law and risking a hefty fine.

Wood stoves that are Defra-approved can be more affordable to operate than other stove models thanks to their advanced combustion technology that ensures the fire burns efficiently. This results in less particulates and carbon monoxide releasing into the air, which is good news for your health and that of your family members.