Where Can You Get The Most Effective Defra Exempt Wood Burner Information?
Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner
The majority of UK cities and towns are classified as Smoke Control Areas so if you live in one and want to install a wood burner then you'll need a Defra exempt stove. You can recognize them by their Defra-approved logo.
Exempt stoves from Defra are constructed to stop the flame from burning and reduce the amount of smoke that is produced. They also burn fuel better.
What is what is a Defra Exempt Stove?
A Defra Exempt Stove is a domestic heating appliance that burns wood and has passed the tests set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Defra Exempt Label is only applied to stoves which have been tested independently, and meet strict criteria regarding emissions. The stoves that are Defra Exempt are safe for use in Smoke Control Areas.
You cannot burn wood without a DEFRA approved stove when you live in a place where smoke is controlled. If you install a non-DEFRA approved stove in a smoke-control area, you will be in breach of the Clean Air Act and could be prosecuted.
From the outside there is no difference between an Defra approved stove and one that has not been given this status. There are however a few things that stove manufacturers do in order to make their appliances DEFRA Exempt. The DEFRA approved stoves have burners that are not designed to deprive fires of oxygen. This can cause them to smolder or emit excessive amounts of smoke.
To prevent this, stove manufacturers typically adjust the air vent at the top of a Defra approved stove. This will stop you from closing the vent all the way down, as this could cut off the flow of air to the fire. The adjustment is usually an incredibly small screw that is located on the front of the stove, underneath the stove's base, or on the rear of the oven.
Stoves that are Defra Exempt can be multifuel stoves and may therefore be used to burn other kinds of fuels in addition to wood. This is a great option if you reside in an area that is designated as a Smoke Control Area but you don't want to be bound by the restrictions of only using approved fuels. Certain stoves that are Defra Exempt can also be fitted with a 5" chimney liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer doesn't insist on the use of a larger size). This is a great benefit for those looking to install wood-burning stoves but are worried about local smoke regulations.
What are the benefits of a Defra approved stove?
Defra-approved stoves have many advantages they can provide, such as the ability to meet local regulations and provide a warm and cozy fire. For instance, they tend to be more efficient in energy use than non-Defra approved stoves and consequently reduce the amount of carbon produced when they are used. This can lead to significant savings on heating costs. Additionally, Defra approved stoves are often easier to use than non-approved stoves and may be fitted with simple controls.
When you are looking to purchase a multi-fuel or wood-burning stove, there are a variety of various factors to take into account, such as your requirements for heating, aesthetic preferences, and long-term goals. When choosing a stove it is important to consider these aspects. A stove that is defra-exempt is ideal for those who live in areas that are smoke-free. These stoves have been rigorously tested and adhere to strict environmental guidelines, and can help to minimise the impact that your stove has on the environment.
Defra-approved stoves not only meet environmental standards but also offer superior combustion and a wider spread of flame. This ensures that the fuel is burned evenly and produces a pleasant, consistent flame. Additionally they are more durable than non-Defra-approved stoves, meaning that they will last longer and are able to stand up to higher temperatures.
The majority of Defra-approved stoves allow to use a 5 " liner for chimneys. This is ideal for homes in areas with smoke control. However, it is important to be aware that if you intend to use your stove with damp wood or any other wet fuel, this will still create smoke that is not pleasant and could be a cause for prosecution by the local authority.
To achieve Defra approval, stove makers have to modify their appliances to restrict the amount of air that can be removed during the combustion process. The air control on the top is usually altered to stop the complete closure. Shutting off the air supply to a stove in excess could cause it to smolder instead of properly burning and result in nuisance smoke.
What is the Difference Between an approved Defra Stove and a Non-Defra Approved Stove?
The most obvious difference is that a defra approved stove will allow you to legally burn wood in a Smoke Control Area, whereas a non-defra exempt stove would not. This is because stoves that have been Defra approved have passed tests to prove they can safely and effectively burn wood in smoke-controlled areas without releasing excessive levels of smoke. This means that even if you reside in a zone that is smoke-free, you will be able to use your new stove with no possibility of costly fines.
A stove that is approved by Defra is more efficient in energy use than other stoves that produce more heat and emitting less harmful emissions in the air. This makes them an excellent option for homeowners looking to save money and care about the environment.

Stoves that are approved by Defra will be marketed with the Defra Approved Logo which is used by stove manufacturers. You can also check whether the stove is Defra exempt by looking at the specifications or visiting the manufacturer's website for information about it.
When selecting a Defra approved stove, it is essential to think about the style that you require because there are a variety of options available. Some of these are more traditional and will look beautiful when placed in an old fireplace, or inglenook. Others are more modern and will look great in a contemporary living space.
Verify that the stove is Defra exempt. It should be listed on the DEFRA list of approved appliances, or bear the DEFRA logo. Many manufacturers will claim that their stoves are Defra-exempt but they haven't been tested. It is easier to sell a Clean Burn stove than to test it and incur the cost of becoming Defra exempt.
The stove will be exempt from Defra regulations, ensuring that the wood that is used to fuel it is sustainable and properly dried before burning. This means it is less likely to generate large quantities of smoke, which is good for the environment and also helps keep chimneys and flue systems cleaner for longer.
What is the difference between an Exempt Stove that is Defra-compliant and the Non-Defra Exempt Stove?
When you are deciding on the ideal stove for your home, there's a lot of information that you will need to take into consideration, including design, heat output and the type of fuel. You might have noticed that many of the wood-burning and multi fuel stoves available on our site are described as DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. This is jargon that to the average homeowner, may seem to be nothing more than a marketing term, however, it has significant implications for those who live in smoke controlled areas.
To comply with the laws that prohibit the sale of logs in Smoke Control Areas, Defra exempt wood burners are designed with an internal mechanism that stops you from closing the air supply valve all the way. If you decrease the flow of air to the fire too much it can cause the wood to smoke and create smoke. This will be against the law. To prevent this from happening you must ensure that the wood you use in your stove is dried to a certain degree before using it on the stove.
You can also make use of an exempt DEFRA wood burner in a Smoke Control Area, if you only use the approved fuels that are listed on the DEFRA website. This includes anthracites, semi-anthracites gas and low volatile steam coal. If recommended DEFRA stoves install a stove that is not DEFRA-compliant in your home and you burn wet wood or other fuels that aren't on the DEFRA's list, you could face penalties of up to PS1000.
Even if you don't live in the Smoke Control Area a DEFRA exempted wood stove is still an excellent choice. They are more environmentally friendly and friendly to neighbors since they can operate without producing polluting smoke. They also tend to be more efficient and will keep your chimney and flue system cleaner for longer. However, it is to be noted that by 2022, all new stoves have to meet the more stringent Ecodesign regulations which set minimum efficiencies, OGV and NOX ceilings as well as emission limits that are much higher than the limits currently in place for DEFRA exempt appliances.