Five Defra Approved Log Burner Projects For Any Budget
Defra Approved Log Burner
The Defra-approved stove is a favorite option for homeowners. This is mainly due the fact that they provide better combustion and greater control over heating costs.
You can also use wood legally in Smoke Control Areas, which is an enormous benefit because it helps you avoid the fines imposed on people who use unapproved stoves. They are available in a variety of different styles to suit every home.
Clean Burn Technology
The clean burn technology found in log burners that are defra-approved works to reduce the amount of smoke and particulate that is released during combustion. It has been proven to significantly reduce health impacts of poor air quality in urban areas, especially when an old-fashioned wood burning stove or fireplace is used. The city of Bergen, for defra Approved british Stoves example realized the importance of taking effective measures to improve their air quality and as a result older stoves that are not cleanburn are now banned in the city. This trade-in scheme was a huge success, and Bergen ranked fifth out of the 320 European cities in terms of air quality in 2021.
To accomplish this, stoves that are Defra-approved are designed to ensure that the flame gets enough oxygen to ignite and burn fuel. This is accomplished by secondary air feed or tertiary intake that allows additional combustion air into the appliance, in addition to primary and/or main air intake. A typical secondary feed is located on the back of the stove underneath or within the fire box of the stove, while a tertiary air intake is situated in the centre.
These modern, Defra exempt stoves have been through rigorous tests to be able to legally burn wood in Smoke Control Areas. This is when the right kind of wood, which is, seasoned and kiln-dried to less than 20% moisture content. It is utilized in conjunction with the Defra approved stove.
A stove that is Defra-approved will also be tested for the ability to emit no more 3g of smoke per hour, which is the legal limit in all UK cities and towns. If a stove emits excess emissions, its owner may be punished to the tune of PS300.
A stove that is approved by Defra will bear the Defra mark on it, as well as an Ecodesign label. This will come into effect in 2022. To be Ecodesign certified, stoves must undergo strict emissions tests and must have a minimum efficiency rating of 72%. A stove that has an efficiency rating of high will lessen the amount of carbon dioxide generated by it, and save you money on your heating bills.
Suitable for Smoke Control Areas
The UK government has set strict emission limits for fireplaces and stoves. The government aims to make the country cleaner and healthier. A lot of cities and large homes are located within Smoke Control Areas, where the production of dark smoke can be a source of irritation for residents. If you reside in a Smoke Control Area and have an older open fire or wood-burning stove, then you must upgrade to a log burner that is Defra-approved.
They are more clean burning and environmentally friendly than the old-fashioned log burners. Leading manufacturers such as Arada, Burley Parkray & Stovax continue to improve their products, and produce models with secondary and tertiary systems that further reduce emissions. These advanced burners are more efficient than the ones they replace and can save you money on your fuel bills in the long run.
DEFRA approved or Defra Exempt are terms used to indicate that the stove has passed a test developed by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs in the UK. This test ensures the stove is safe to be employed in areas with smoke control. Defra Exempt is also a term that can be applied to specific models that have passed the test. These models are suitable to burn approved smokeless fuels that are listed in a list provided by Defra. These fuels don't include wood.
You could be penalized when you use a stove that isn't DEFRA approved high-quality stoves approved in a smoke-controlled area. Visit the official Defra site to determine whether you're located in a smoke-controlled area. In order to avoid a fine, you should only burn dry wood that has been seasoned and Defra approved smokeless fuels not logs or other wet woods.
There are a variety of DEFRA Approved Log Burners on the market. The Dovre product pages show this logo when the model is suitable for Smoke Control Areas. Visit the official Defra website to learn more about defra approved british stoves-approved stoves, fireplaces and fires.
Easy to Clean
Cleansing your log burner is essential to help maintain its performance and reduce the build-up of harmful creosote, which can cause chimney fires. Regular cleaning will ensure that your stove glass remains clear and clean so you can enjoy a beautiful fire view without obstruction.
There are many tools you can use to help with the maintenance of your wood burner such as a cleaning brush, ash vacuum cleaner and stove polish. It is important to perform the cleaning process while your stove is cool, and we suggest wearing gloves that are heat-resistant.
The first step is to sweep away any ash from the bottom of your stove using the grate brush, making sure you reach all nooks and crannies. You can then use your ash vacuum cleaner to clean any ashes that remain from the stove and dispose of them in a metal container. Once your stove has been thoroughly cleaned then you can use a soft, clean cloth to apply a stove cleaner. Be careful not to touch the hot surface.
To ensure that you don't create high levels of particles, it's important to burn only quality, seasoned logs on your defra-approved log burner. When selecting your firewood, look out for the Woodsure Ready to Burn logo or use an instrument to measure the moisture content to ensure that the moisture content is less than 20 percent. You can also make your own seasonings for your logs, but it can take up to 2 years for the moisture content to evaporate.
You should always avoid burning painted, stained or chemically treated wood (this includes pallets, MDF and Medium Density Fibreboard). These types of wood create dangerous chemicals when they are burned and are not suitable to burn in the log burner.
A proper installation of your log burner is crucial to maintaining its efficiency and performance. Make sure it is installed by a certified professional, and that it is located in a well-ventilated location where it won't be subject to drafts. Incorrectly installing a stove can lead to injuries, safety issues and increased expenses.
Energy efficient
Log burners that are Defra-approved are generally more energy efficient than their competitors. The reason for this is that they have passed the tests that ensure that the proper amount of air is supplied to the wood or multiple fuel burning stoves during combustion. This reduces the amount of smoke that is produced and, in turn, reduces emissions and heat losses from the stove.
You can be sure that a defra-exempted wood burner will be safe to use in conjunction with your chimney, because it has a flue diameter of 5" (150mm). Non-Defra approved stoves have a larger chimney outlet, which could cause problems when installing the chimney liner. The Stove Yard offers a range of 5" chimney liners to fit your wood or multi-fuel defra exempted stove.
The majority of the stoves we sell at The Stove Yard are Defra Approved and offer the latest clean burning technology. Many of our models have secondary and tertiary feeds for air to ensure that the fuel is burning. This improves the efficiency of the stove and reduces the amount of smoke produced.
A log burner that is Defra-approved will also allow you to use it legally in a Smoke Control Area. UK cities and large towns are classed as Smoke Control Areas and in order to be in compliance with the law, you must use a DEFRA Approved appliance when burning wood or smokeless coal.
You can also buy a premium DEFRA stoves approved stove that is certified by clearSkies to prove that it meets the latest Ecodesign emissions standards that came into force one year ago. This is the best option when you live in an area with Smoke Control. It can make your stove green and will be in compliance with the law. The ESSE 700 Vista is one example of an ultra stylish and highly effective Defra Approved log burner that comes with the option to be equipped with a smoke control kit when required.