Choosing a Defra Woodburner
Anyone who lives in a smoke control zone must make use of a DEFRA approved stove to ensure that they are compliant with the law. These are stoves which have been independently tested to make sure that they burn smokeless and wood in compliance with the law.
There is not much difference between a DEFRA-approved stove and one that has not been approved. A lot of modern stoves can be upgraded to become DEFRA approved by an accessory provided by the stove manufacturer.
Clean Burn Technology
A stove that is Defra-approved will employ clean burning technologies to minimise the amount of waste that is produced when burning fuels. This technology allows pre-heated, filtered air to be in the combustion chamber. The air is mixed with the gaseous emissions from the fire and is burned to burn hydrocarbons that are not burned. This reduces the amount of smoke that escapes from a stove, and improves the quality of life for those suffering from asthma and suffer from respiratory problems.
A lot of modern wood stoves and burners utilize this technology, which is a major reason they are more environmentally green than older stoves or fires. If you reside in an area where smoke is controlled, you will have to use a DEFRA exempt appliance that has passed rigorous tests for emission of smoke to be classified as "clean burn" in order to legally burn logs in a fireplace with wood burning.
If you own an DEFRA approved stove, to maximize the benefits of the emissions reduction technology it is best to use low moisture content wood. It is recommended to have the wood dried for at least two years to reduce the moisture content to less than 20 percent. You can test the moisture content of your wood by using an easy moisture meter.
Clean Burn technology in a DEFRA-approved stove can help you save money on your energy bills and keep the environment in good condition. Clean Burn technology reduces the amount of smoke particles released and this has a positive effect on those suffering from respiratory problems. It is important to maintain your flue and stove to ensure that it is operating at its best and to prevent blockages.
If you are an owner of a business and you want to cut down on energy bills, then consider installing a waste oil heater from Clean Burn. There are a variety of boilers and furnaces that can be used to create heat from your own waste oil. Learn Even more Here uses Clean Burn's patent-pending Heat Recovery Technology which will recycle the waste oil and turn it into a valuable renewable energy source. The company has an extensive dealer network that offers excellent customer service prior to and after purchase. They also offer an extensive warranty that covers the combustion chambers and heat exchangers of their equipment for a period of 10 years or 15000 hours.
Smoke Exempt Appliances
In order to be Defra Exempt the stove must pass a rigorous test designed by the UK Government's Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to ensure that it can be used in smoke controlled areas. A Defra Exempt stove will often be referred to as a DEFRA stove or an SE stove. It has been cleared by DEFRA to allow burning of wood and authorised manufactured smokeless fuels in UK Smoke Control Areas.
If you live in a UK city or a large town that is classified as Smoke Control Area it is crucial to have a Defra Exempt Woodburner in order to avoid violating the law and receiving a hefty fine. This is because you are only able to legally burn wood with Smoke Control Approved Appliances and only certain approved fuels (see our Defra List of Authorised Fuels for a full list).
A Defra-exempted stove can also keep your chimney and flue cleaner for longer because it will not emit nuisance levels of smoke. Even if your home doesn't reside in a smoke control area and you are not in a smoke control zone, an Defra approved Stove is still a great choice. It will be much more environmentally friendly and neighbor-friendly because it will emit less nuisance smoke than a non-Defra certified Stove.
The best way to keep your stove running at its best and making the most of its energy efficiency is to perform regular maintenance, such as cleaning the chimney and flue on a routine basis. A stove that is regularly cleaned and maintained will perform better, which will allow you to save money over time.
When it comes to selecting the right stove, there are many aspects to take into consideration from the physical dimensions of the stove to the power output it can provide to your room. It is also important to consider the type of fuel you will be using and if you'll need to operate it in the Smoke Control Area.
Eco-Friendly
The latest Ecodesign wood burners are designed to minimise their impact on the environment. They do this by utilizing secondary and tertiary combustion techniques that reduce harmful particle emissions while saving fuel. They also burn wood at an elevated temperature than other stoves. This results in the logs being burned more completely and releasing less pollutants. These eco-friendly stoves may also be a lot more efficient than older models, saving you money on heating costs.
The Ecodesign logo that you can see on a large number of our woodburners signifies that the stove is compliant with the new EU regulations and UK laws regarding environmental protection. These Ecodesign log burners are engineered to maximise efficiency, and have a performance over the course of the season of more than 70 percent. They also have a second clean burn system that is controlled by a chrome lever on the stove's base. The system opens and closes a vent that pulls air over the fire, re-burning any initial smoke produced by the fire. This results in less emissions being released and helps keep your chimney and flue system in good condition for longer.
We would recommend all of our customers to check for Ecodesign stoves when shopping around for an updated woodburner. They are not only more efficient and clean but also emit less carbon dioxide. They are more cost effective than other models, and come in different styles to suit the aesthetics of your home.
Defra Approved Stoves
In the past, people could choose to cook whatever they wanted on their fires. This led to huge amounts of smoke being blown across the country. This caused a lot of health problems and the government was aware that they had to do something about it. Smoke Control Areas were created, which prohibits all emissions from residential homes except for those who use an approved stove that is authorised to use fuel.
Having a Defra Smoke Exempt Woodburner is the only way to legally burn wood in a smoke control area If you reside in an area similar to this you will need to buy a Defra Smoke Exempt Stove if you wish to have an authentic wood-burning stove. You might be fined if violate the law.
Neighbour Friendly
Wood burning stoves have become more popular in the UK. This is due to the recent increase in demand from urban areas. However, it is crucial to be aware of and adhere to rules concerning log burners to avoid fines or other legal action. This can be achieved by using a DEFRA-approved cooktop that meets strict emissions standards. Fortunately, there are several ways to identify whether a stove is DEFRA approved, such as looking at the label or the specifications on the manufacturer's website.
The DEFRA stamp on a stove indicates that the appliance has been tested thoroughly and has met strict emission standards, which allows it to be used within smoke-control zones. This also signifies that the stove will use less fuel and create fewer harmful pollutants. This is an important aspect to look out for when purchasing an appliance. It will ensure you get the best out of your purchase, and also ensure that you are able to use it legally in smoke-control zones.
To reduce emissions from your stove, it's essential to use kiln dried or seasoned wood. Kiln drying lowers the amount of moisture in the wood which reduces the amount of pollutants released when wood is burned. Wood can dry up to two years naturally. If you're burning wood in an area where smoke is controlled and controlled, you should employ a chimney sweep, or use a log storage to dry your wood. Check for the Woodsure Ready to Burn logo when buying wood since it indicates that the wood is low in moisture content.
Smoke control laws in the UK are designed to reduce harmful particulate matter that is result of coal and wood fires. These tiny particles are highly harmful to health and could cause respiratory issues as well as heart disease, and dementia. Research has shown that wood burning stoves contribute to 23-31 percent of PM2.5 pollutants in London, so it is crucial to adhere to the rules when buying a new stove and be careful when using it in smoke controlled zones.