Why should I have a DEFRA approved Stove?

We all want to work to be more eco-conscious. Whether it’s in the clothes that we buy, the food that we eat, or the way that we use energy to power our homes, environmentally friendly choices have never been so high on our priority list. To this aim, the heating of our homes is a particularly important point to consider. Not all stoves are created equal – different makes and models vary hugely in their energy efficiency.

So, if eco-consciousness is a big factor in your search for a new stove, the best way to find a product that ticks all your boxes is searching for a DEFRA approved stove. In this article, we will be explaining what the DEFRA certification means, the work of the SIA, and the benefits of choosing an Ecodesign Ready Stove. By following this guide, it’ll be easier than ever for you to make eco-conscious home heating choices.

What is a DEFRA approval?

A DEFRA approval is granted by the UK Government Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs.This approval is granted after a series of testing, if the stove successfully fulfills all of the criteria that the department has put in place.

These criteria cover key environmental points like the amount of emission levels caused by the stove, and how much smoke it produces. One key point that DEFRA testers will look at is how much the vents can be closed. Stove manufacturers often achieve DEFRA approval by preventing the stove from being closed as much as other stove models, thereby minimising the amount of smoke that is produced as much as possible.

What are the benefits of choosing a DEFRA approved stove?

Although a DEFRA approved stove may not look any different from the outside, there’s a lot of eco-conscious innovation going on inside. The combustion air control mechanism prevents unnecessary smoke from being produced and pumped out into the air. These stoves are a fantastic way to reduce your carbon footprint, improve your home’s energy efficiency rating, and live in a more environmentally friendly way.

Another particularly important benefit of choosing a DEFRA approved stove is that UK Smoke Control Areas (which cover the majority of UK cities and large towns) require homeowners to use a stove that complies with the Clean Air Act. A DEFRA approved wood burner will guarantee that your stove adheres to these legislations.

What are Ecodesign Ready Stoves?

Ecodesign Ready Stoves are stoves that have been recognised by DEFRA as being the safest appliances on the market, with the lowest level of PM emission. In essence, they are the top level of DEFRA approved stoves. In fact, according to Erica Malkin, the secretary general of the Stove Industry Alliance, “An Ecodesign Ready Stove produces 90% less emissions than an open fire and 80% less than a stove manufactured 10 years ago”.

These Ecodesign Ready Stoves are part of new EU regulation, which will be introduced at the start of 2022. It is designed to reduce emissions from homes, by introducing a new label to be used by stove manufactures that adhere to these eco-conscious criteria.

From January 2022, the SIA Ecodesign Ready label will be displayed on products, thereby helping consumers to proactively support Europe’s green initiatives.
The benefits of choosing an Ecodesign Ready Stove include:

• Clean burning
• Limiting emissions
• Choosing a model built by a dependable, verified manufacturer
• Achieving the highest possible environmental standards

 

At Rotherham Fireplace Centre, we offer a wide range of state of the art DEFRA approved wood burning stoves in our range, including Ecodesign Ready Stoves. If you would like to find out more about these products, and the benefits they can bring to your home, speak to a member of our team.