Choosing a DEFRA Approved Wood Burner Many people who are looking for an upgrade to their stove are thinking about a DEFRA approved wood burner They can be put in within smoke-control zones, so long as only Defra-approved fuels are burned They are also usually modified by the manufacturer to limit how much they can be starved of air, which could cause smoky combustion Clean Burn Technology There are a variety of different terms that are thrown around when it comes to wood burning and multi fuel stoves The most important ones are DEFRA exemption, Ecodesign and clean burn To the average person these may seem like marketing buzzwords aren't something to be concerned about, but they are worth considering when choosing a new stove A Defra-approved stove is one that can be used to reduce smoke in areas if the appliance uses specific fuels These include briquettes, logs, and low volatile steam coal Modern stove manufacturers use special combustion systems with secondary and tertiary airflows in order to reduce their stove's emissions They produce less smoke than older open fires or other stoves that are not Defra-approved This is part of the government's effort to ensure clean air in urban areas, and it's working very well A stove that is Defra-approved will make use of the least amount of fuel, resulting in minimal smoke You'll still be able to get plenty of heat and flames though Most manufacturers will sell the Defra approved version of their stoves, and you can easily recognize these by looking for Defra exempt terminology or the Defra badge on the product listing If you aren't sure, you can always contact the manufacturer directly or go to an expert local retailer who can assist you with this Stove defra-exempt stoves can be significantly more expensive than regular models, however it's important to remember they have been through extensive testing to ensure they meet strict emission standards You'll save money in the long run since your stove that is Defra certified will require fewer logs to generate the same amount of heat Ecodesign regulations came into effect in the year 2000 and all stoves made following that date must be fully compliant If you reside in a Smoke Control Area you will need a stove that is Ecodesign conforming and Defra exempt or at the very least a Defra approved model that has passed the rigorous Defra emissions tests Charnwood offers a range Defra-exempt stoves that are also marked clearSkies Level 3 which means they've reached a certain standard of pure burning Low Emissions Stove manufacturers like Arada amp; Stovax continue to improve their stoves by incorporating secondary and tertiary burning systems that reduce the amount of particulates that are released The result is a stove that not just looks stunning, but also emits extremely low emissions, meaning you can use it in smoke controlled areas without fearing a huge fine A DEFRA approved stove, also known as Defra Smoke Exempt Appliance as they are often referred to as, is a wood burning or multi fuel stove that has passed the rigorous tests conducted by the UK Government's Department for Environment Food amp; Rural Affairs These tests determine the highest amounts of emissions the stove can generate and also limit the amount of smoke it can create during normal operation These tests also examine how a stove deals with burning fires that are smouldering, this is when the combustible material inside the log burner continues to burn even after the flames have cooled These fires can release lots of smoke when they are not fully extinguished DEFRA approved stoves utilize secondary combustion systems to burn the particulates that are produced during the course of a fire Many people live in smoke-control zones in which it is illegal to use non-Defra certified log burners and stoves You must install a DEFRA-approved stove to avoid a heavy fine There are different kinds of Defra approved stoves that you can buy There is a wood burner that is Defra-approved for use in an inglenook fireplace, or a larger stove that can fit in any room There are a variety of Defra approved stoves that feature modern and contemporary designs that can be used in smoke controlled zones They usually feature large glass doors so you can enjoy the heat and fire from the lounge in the comfort of your home Some Defra approved stoves can be modified with an accessory supplied by the manufacturer to make them more DEFRA compatible This kit alters the air vents on the top of the stove to ensure that they are not closed all the way down and is referred to as 'slumbering' and can cause the stove to let out combustible substances that are not burned into the air Energy Efficiency A Defra exempt stove is made to give you a great quantity of heat, while generating very little smoke They are therefore perfect for smoke-controlled areas and can be used with wood or smokeless materials They also have high levels of efficiency and can burn logs more efficiently than stoves that are not exempt from Defra They also have an airwash system which keeps the glass window clear, making them a fashionable and efficient choice for your home Many wood-burning stove shops offer stoves that are Defra-approved These stoves will be identified by the acronym 'SE' or smoke-free stoves They are able to be used in smoke control zones because they feature advanced combustion systems that utilize secondary and tertiary combustion systems to reduce harmful emissions They can also be equipped with a 5-inch flue liner, as opposed to the standard 6 inch required by building regulations Another great feature of the DEFRA exempt stove is that they have an adjustment on the top air vent, which prevents it from being closed all the way This is a common error that people make and can cut off the oxygen supply to the fire, causing it to smolder and generate lots of smoke These stoves are equipped with a built in limit that ensures that a minimum amount of air is delivered to the fuel so that it doesn't starve and produce excessive smoke Stove manufacturers have taken this idea one step further by introducing what is called Defra plus stoves These models have been updated to not only meet, but even exceed the standards required The best example of this is the Charnwood ST2 which not only is compliant with Defra standards, but also has been awarded an A+ energy rating and is clearSkies level 5 compliant This is a remarkable achievement that shows that an DEFRA exempt stove can be very efficient and environmentally green https//wwwfireplacesandstovecom/categories/defra-stoves looks bright for eco-friendly appliances Perfect for Smoke Control Areas In the UK there are some towns and cities are classified as smoke control areas If you live in one of these areas you'll be permitted to install a stove only if it has been approved by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs DEFRA The stove can be used to burn wood or other fuels that have been approved without generating excessive smoke A stove that is Defra-exempt has an air vent that can't be closed completely and allows the stove to maintain an oxygen supply constant This lets the firewood burn more efficiently, and reduce emissions and soot Look for stoves that are DEFRA-certified ready to burn a variety of manufactured smokeless fuels such as anthracite and lignite Granules These fuels have been specially formulated to help the stove burn cleanly, and they should be marked with the 'Ready to Burn' logo which confirms that the fuel is within the required limit of sulphur and smoke emissions If you choose to buy a DEFRA approved stove and fireplace, you'll be able to enjoy many years of low-cost heat while helping to safeguard the local environment You can also keep your neighbors content by not causing disturbances by causing a nuisance smoke You'll still have to maintain your fireplace in order by cleaning the chimney, having it checked by an engineer on a regular basis, and following the manufacturer’s instructions Stoves can be the focal point of any home, and they can add value and comfort With so many designs, materials, and heat outputs to think about, it's important to select the best stove for your home You must choose a DEFRA-approved stove if you reside in an area where smoking is restricted Otherwise, you could be fined or violate the law Fortunately, we have a fantastic range of high-quality and affordable DEFRA exempt stoves to browse