What Are Defra Approved Stoves?
Also referred to as Defra Exempt Stoves and Smoke Control Approved Stoves These stoves are usually designed to burn Defra approved smokeless fuels like Anthracite ovals. They are not suited for use with wood.
To be exempt from Defra, a stove's air controls and flue draught must pass tests in a laboratory. These tests are slightly different from actual conditions.
Clean Burn Technology
A DEFRA-approved stove is a multifuel or wood-burning stove that has been through a rigorous test developed by the UK Government Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. This test ensures the stove can burn approved smokeless fuels, such as logs or briquettes, in smoke Controlled Areas. This type of stove will not only be better for the environment but also for your neighbors since it will reduce nuisance fume.
These DEFRA stoves use specialised combustion technology that enables them to slumber or 'sleep longer than other stoves. This means that they will burn any authorised smokeless fuels in an efficient and clean way while still maintaining the required heating output for your home. This is accomplished by limiting the oxygen supply to the firebox. The fuel will then burn at a lower temperature until it has been completely consumed.
Defra stoves are commonly referred to as smoke exempt or SE stoves. They will come with a label or badge with the DEFRA logo on it. They may be labeled as 'Ecodesign compliant 2022' to indicate they will be compliant with the new Ecodesign emission limits once they are in effect next year.
There are a variety of factors to take into consideration when purchasing a DEFRA. These include the design of stove, the types of fuels you can burn, and the amount of heat it can generate. You may also want to think about other options, for instance a remote control system that is easy to use or an air wash system.
There are a variety of DEFRA woodburning and multi-fuel stoves available. There are 5kw multi fuel stoves defra approved of traditional models to choose from if you want to fit stoves into an existing fireplace or inglenook. There are also modern and contemporary options that look great without a surround or mantle. It is also important to think about the type of fuel you want to use. There are DEFRA approved stoves and wood burners which are exempt from regulations.
Smoke Controlled Areas
The majority of cities and towns in the UK are classified as Smoke Control Areas, so if you live in one then you'll need an DEFRA exempt wood burner or multi-fuel stove. These stoves are made to conform with the Clean Air Act regulations, and have been tested for smokeless combustion.
The key feature of the most important feature of a DEFRA approved stove is that they've been designed with Clean Burn technology, which is the reason they can be smoke-free. This is done by pushing oxygen into the combustion chamber continuously until the fuel has been consumed. This means that the fire cannot be shut off like a conventional stove. It will continue to burn at a low level until all the fuel has been consumed and all exhaust gases have been exhausted.
This allows you to legally use the stove in a Smoke Control Area using 'authorized fuels' which include wood and manufactured smokeless fuels (anthracite, smokeless briquettes and firelogs). This is in contrast to non-Defra models which can only be used within a Smoke control Area when they are equipped with a special smoke control kit.
It is possible to fit the Smoke Control Kit on a wood burning stove that is not exempt from DEFRA however this is not recommended. You could put your family at risk of exposure to toxic gases and toxins which can cause lung damage. Furthermore, the use of an exempt stove that is not DEFRA-compliant in a Smoke Control Area can result in hefty fines.
Stovax offers a broad selection of wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves, fires and fireplaces that are all DEFRA exempt and are suitable for use in smoke controlled areas. Our dealers are more than eager to assist you in finding the ideal DEFRA approved stove for your home, simply enter your postcode below to locate your nearest dealer.
It is crucial to keep in mind that all new stoves should be installed by an HETAS certified installer to ensure they are safe and comply with the requirements of current building regulations. Having a stove that is DEFRA approved and is able to be used in a Smoke Control Area helps to reduce your emissions which has helped in reducing sulphur dioxide levels in the air. From 2022 EU-wide Ecodesign regulation will establish minimum efficiencies, NOX and OGV ceilings and emission limits that appear to be more stringent than those currently required for Defra Exempt stoves.
Smokeless Fuels
When selecting a stove that uses smokeless fuels, there are many things to consider. To begin the stove has to be DEFRA certified to be used in a smoke-free area. This means that the appliance has undergone rigourous tests to ensure that the emissions of particulate matter are reduced. There are stoves that are smokeless that burn cleaner than traditional coal. This makes them better for the environment, as well as your neighbors!
Smokeless fuels are generally anthracite based and come in the form of briquettes. They are greener and last 40% longer than traditional coal. Smokeless fuels also generate more heat and emit less carbon dioxide than traditional coal.
They are more expensive, yet they have many advantages for you and your family. They are lighter to light and do not create more ash or soot. This means that your stove's grates and glass screen won't need cleaning as frequently. They also produce a much more dancing flame and they do not emit as much nuisance smoke.
You should always remember that if your home is located in a zone of smoke control it is only allowed to use wood or authorised fuels to heat your stove. If you choose to burn non-approved fuels, you could be breaking the law and may be liable to a large fine. If you choose to use a wood burner that is not DEFRA approved, you could be creating nuisance smoke that could cause trouble for your neighbors.
It is therefore essential to buy a DEFRA-exempt stove to allow you to burn smokeless substances in your home. All stoves included in this group have been rigorously tested to ensure they're in compliance with DEFRA regulations and do not emit nuisance smoke. This is achieved by ensuring that the stoves have the most recent combustion technology to prevent part-burned combustibles being released into air.
Warranty
DEFRA stoves are wood burning or multi fuel stoves that have been certified to be used in Smoke Control Areas. They have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they provide clean and efficient combustion, with low emissions, and the best performance. They are available in a variety of different styles to complement the style of your home.
Defra Approved Stoves are referred to in the industry as many different names including Defra Exempt Stoves, SE Stoves, Smoke Exempt stoves, Smoke Control Area Approved stoves and Cleanburn Stoves. All of these terms are referring to the same stove that has been tested to meet the strict requirements of UK laws that limit the use of smoke for a set period of time.
A Defra Approved stove can only be used to burn dry wood and approved smokeless fuels like anthracite oval or blue flame anthracite. If you attempt to burn anything other than approved smokeless fuels it will produce nuisance smoke that can cause respiratory problems for those who suffer from asthma. The installer and the customer are responsible for ensuring that the appliance is appropriate for the building using the Defra Calculator, and ensuring that the chimney components are in good working order and adhering to the minimum distances from the combustibles.
Stoves that have been installed incorrectly may cause damage, leakage and invalidate the warranty. Installation should be performed by a HETAS certified engineer to ensure that the stove is safe and correctly installed. The warranty does not cover consumables like glass rope seals for glass windows and doors paint finishes, interior lining plates, firebricks, and baffles. These parts are considered to be replaceable and are available when needed. The warranty does not cover damage caused by high humidity or salt air.
A DEFRA stove will not only bring warmth to your home, but will also give you peace of mind knowing you're helping protect the environment. You can be assured that an approved DEFRA wood-burning or multi-fuel stove will last for many years.