Why Buy a Defra Wood Burner?
If you reside in a smoke control area, you'll require an approved stove from Defra. They come in a variety of styles that will fit your home.
They have been altered to prevent you from closing the top air vent completely If you do this, it will cause the fire to smoke and produces more smoke.
Smoke Exempt
If you live in a smoke control area you may think about purchasing a Defra approved wood burner. These stoves were designed to allow you to burn kiln dried logs and a list of other authorised fuels without producing large amounts of smoke. The stoves accomplish this by supplying the minimum amount of combustion air to ensure that fires are burning efficiently and avoid unnecessary emissions.
You'll see the Defra logo on a variety of brochures and marketing materials for specific models. It is sometimes written as 'SE', which is a reference to Smoke Exempt Stove and is used to indicate that the appliance can legally be used in a smoking area when using approved fuels.
Defra approved appliances are designed to meet the new Ecodesign emission standards that came into effect in 2021. These standards are higher than old smoke control laws but lower than the standards set by the Clean Air Act 2030.
It is crucial to confirm your chosen stove's specifications before purchasing it. Some stoves will carry the Defra exemption label that is a marketing label and is not a true Defra approval. A recent study by CAL highlighted some serious problems with the new Ecodesign limits including insufficient testing, confusion, and duplicated smoke control regulations, and the inability of manufacturers to effectively communicate this information to consumers.
While you can purchase a non-Defra approved stove in a smoke controlled area It's important to remember that you'll need to buy a special fuel kit to be in compliance with the law. In addition, you'll need adhere to the rules regarding the types of fuel that you can burn.
This is a complex issue that must be addressed to ensure that we have clean air and ensure that the UK's environment is healthy. In the meantime it's a good idea to use kiln dried logs as well as other approved fuels in your defra approved stove, as they're safer than conventional household coal and sulfurized bituminous coal. This should help to keep your Defra stove in compliance with the law while also allowing you to enjoy the benefits of an enviro-friendly, less smoky fire and saving money on your heating expenses.
Clean Combustion
The primary reason to have the DEFRA wood burner is that it allows you to legally burn logs in smoke-free areas without the threat of being fined. These stoves are not just green - they also have clean combustion technology that is better for your health and the environment.
When Defra approved stoves are operated correctly (burning only dry, seasoned and 'Ready to Burn wood) they can reduce pollution by as much as a quarter compared with open fires and older appliances. When combined with regular chimney sweeps, which also ensure that the flue is operating correctly, this can dramatically reduce the amount of harmful particulate matter in your home.
The main pollutant emitted when burning solid fuels like logs is ultra-fine particulate matter which penetrates deep into the lungs and can cause a variety of health issues. This includes asthma-related symptoms and a general feeling of being unwell.
Ecodesign wood burners are the most efficient way to reduce the amount of PM2.5 that gets into your home. They have been independently tested and verified to ensure that they emit less toxic PM2.5 than older stoves or open fires.
In addition, Defra stoves and wood burning stoves which meet the new Ecodesign requirements are designed to allow as much fresh air into the fire as is possible to ensure they don't get smoky or overheat. This reduces the amount of pollutants released and increases the efficiency of heat so that you get more warmth with less energy.
All of the Defra approved wood burners we have on offer have been tested to meet these standards. They can be purchased as stoves that stand alone, or as kits to fit existing fireplaces. This means you can choose the most suitable Defra approved stove for your home and future ensure your purchase should the law change in the future. If you would like to learn more about the Defra approved stoves we stock, please contact our team of experts or visit your local showroom today.
Reduced Emissions
Wood burning stoves offer an eco-friendly, cozy and economical method of heating your home. However, many do not realise that even smokeless stoves produce high levels of harmful pollution. The primary pollutant produced by wood burning stoves is ultra-fine particulate matter (PM2.5) which is easily absorbed by the respiratory system of a person. Short-term exposure of PM2.5 is associated with asthma, lung infections, and cardiovascular issues.
The Defra approved stoves are built to emit a minimum amount of emissions. However the fuel type is likely to have a significant impact on the amount of pollutants created. For this reason, it is important to use dry seasoned, seasoned wood that's been dried for at least two years. Aduro, for example, produces smokeless fuels approved by Defra.
Modern Defra approved stoves will be built to conform to the new Ecodesign regulations, which set more stringent manufacturing standards than they did before. In accordance with the new regulations the stoves that are installed in a Smoke Control Area is required to emit less than 5g particles per hour. This is considerably less than the 7.5g/hour limit that was in place for older stoves.
Despite these improvements, domestic wood and coal burning still accounts for around 17% of UK fine particle pollution, according to the Government. The latest figures, however, show that wood and coal burning is less than one-quarter of the total impact of all sources of particle pollutants. This includes roads and industrial processes.
It is vital to remember that Defra approved stoves will continue to be an important source of fine particle pollution in the UK. Reduce the amount of wood that you burn, and only use fuels with a moisture content under 20%. Burning wood that is wet causes the fire to burn at a lower temperature, producing more pollutants. It also causes the glass of the stove to become black faster, which causes a faster accumulation of soot in the chimney.
Eco-Friendly
Defra wood burning stoves offer numerous environmental benefits, including efficient and clean combustion as well as reduced emissions. They also offer potential cost savings. They are also available in various styles to meet the needs of any home, and have the added benefit that they are a sustainable method of heating, as opposed to fossil fuels like oil or gas.
The term "Defra Approved Stoves' refers to the fact that they are in compliance with the laws of the government regarding their use in Smoke Control Areas. The stoves come with an air control that has been modified on the top that prevents users from closing the top all the way to reduce air supply and preventing proper combustion. This can cause the stoves to smoke and produce more smoke.
Stove manufacturers are increasing their use of technology in their products that will improve the environmental credentials of their stoves and help to comply with the new laws. They utilize secondary and tertiary systems to reduce the amount of part-burned combustibles that are emitted through your chimney as black smoke. This reduces your emissions and carbon footprint.
If you live in a smoke-controlled zone, a stove that is Defra-approved is required in order to continue burning wood and approved fuels, and not in violation of the law. These stoves have been tested by an independent third party and complied with the legislation and will continue to do so until future legislation comes in place.
fireplacesandstove Approved stove can be equipped with a 5" liner for burning approved fuels and will work best with wood that has a moisture content of less than 20%. This will ensure that the burn is clean, which results in lower emissions and a longer time span for your flue as well as chimney system.
If you don't live in a smoke control area then there's no need to buy a Defra stove, however there are many reasons why you should consider one even if you do not reside in a smoke-free area. They are beautiful, provide an excellent source of heat, and can reduce your environmental impact.