What is a DEFRA Wood Burning Stoves Approved Stove?

If you're looking to buy a wood burning stove and you live in a smoke-free area it is crucial to select a DEFRA exempt or approved stove. This is because stoves that aren't DEFRA exempt can starve the burner of air, which can result in the fuel burning out and generating high emissions.

Clean Burn Technology

When you opt for a DEFRA approved stove you will be doing your bit to reduce air pollution. The wood-burning stoves listed here are designed to meet the strict standards for smoke emissions set by the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Clean burn technology is included in the DEFRA list stoves stoves we sell. This ensures that all wood or solid fuels you use are completely burned before they are able to escape your chimney. This is accomplished through secondary and sometimes even tertiary intakes of air that ensure every particle of smoke is burnt before it leaves the stove. This will keep your chimney clean for longer, and your stove will use less fuel.

DEFRA stoves are available in both contemporary and traditional styles. This is because not everyone needs to have a stove that draws the most attention in their living space. You may prefer something more discrete to blend into your decor. We also have a choice of freestanding and inglenook stoves that are suitable for DEFRA approval, so you can find the perfect stove for your fireplace chamber or inglenook.

You can also pick from a selection of DEFRA multi-fuel stoves that allow you to enjoy the flexibility to burn a range of approved fuels. When you combine this with a range of finishes and colours, you'll be able to find the perfect DEFRA wood burner or multi-fuel stove that will match your home.

We are pleased to offer a variety of DefrA wood burners that have been independently verified by HETAS to meet the strict DEFRA emissions standards and be legally allowed for use in Smoke Control Areas. If you are in a Smoke Control Area then it is important to purchase a DEFRA stove because using an unapproved appliance could result in you being fined. If you want to know if you are in a Smoke Control Area then visit the DEFRA website or contact your local authority.

Smoke Exempt

DEFRA approved wood burning stoves have undergone rigorous tests to make sure they can be used in smoke-controlled areas. You can choose from a broad selection of DEFRA stoves at Bowland Stoves that offer clean combustion, less emissions and the potential for savings on costs. You can also choose from a variety of designs that will complement your home's style.

Smoke Control Areas are set by local authorities and the principal reason for their existence is to stop the accumulation of large amounts of smog from being released into towns and cities across the UK. In the past, people used to burn any kind of fuel they liked in their homes and this led to a heavy smog over many areas which caused health problems for the inhabitants. In the past, there was no law to regulate this, but we have to follow the regulations.

Defra regulations were created to ensure safety for the public. They stipulate the stoves that can be used in specific areas, and the types of fuels we can use. This means that should you reside in a smoke-free area then you should only use the DEFRA stove and only burn authorised fuels like pellets, logs or coal. If you buy a non-DEFRA stove and you burn fuels that are not permitted, you could be fined up to PS1000.

A Defra approved stove will provide the minimum amount of air for combustion which in turn results in minimal smoke emissions. This is the only way to be sure that you can legally burn wood and other approved fuels within a Smoke Control Area.

To be DEFRA approved, wood burners and multi-fuel stoves have to have a moisture content of less than 20% to avoid excessive smoke. To get this to happen, the wood must be well-seasoned and most importantly, sourced from the Forestry Commission's 'Woodsure Ready to Burn' scheme.

If you are buying a stove to use in a Smoke Control Area then make sure it has the Defra logo or a 'SE' following its name, this signifies that it's smoke-free. The Defra Logo is easily recognisable and has been widely accepted in the industry.

In compliance with Building Regulations

If a stove that burns wood is DEFRA certified, this means that it has been rigorously tested and meets building regulations. This means that it is safe to use and the flue system is properly installed. This helps reduce indoor air pollution and prevents fire hazards. This is especially important for those living in areas with smoke control zones in which it is illegal to burn unauthorised fuels.

DEFRA stoves are available in a range of sizes, styles and finishes. This lets you find the perfect stove for your home. We have models that are modern and traditional in freestanding, inglenook, and inset designs to fit any style. You can also choose from a wood burner or multi-fuel version depending on your preferences. All of our DEFRA stoves are equipped with clean-burn technology so that you can be sure that they burn your chosen fuels effectively and efficiently.

DEFRA stoves also comply with strict regulations for smoke emissions in smoke-controlled areas. These regulations are designed to reduce the amount of particulate matter that escapes into the air during combustion.

The most recent DEFRA wood-burning stoves have been designed to serve this purpose and use advanced combustion systems that don't restrict airflow inside the firebox. This allows the wood to be burned more quickly and efficiently and reduces the release of particulate matter to the atmosphere. Additionally, DEFRA stoves are equipped with a secondary burn system that reduces emissions further by re-burning any combustibles that were not burned from the earlier combustion process.

Although it is possible to install a non-DEFRA compliant stove, defra approved clean burning stoves this will often require significant modifications to the chimney and flue system. It will likely require an alteration to the structure that could require planning permission. To avoid this, we suggest using a DEFRA approved stove when buying a new fireplace or wood-burning stove.

A DEFRA approved stove will also usually have a 5" (125mm) flue outlet. This allows you to use a 5" vitreous flue liner and save money on installation. This is a great solution for those on a tight budget or whose chimney stack has some tricky bends.

Reduced Emissions

When searching for a wood-burning stove, you'll come across many terms that may confuse you. One of them is the term DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved stoves which means it is able to be used in smoke-controlled areas in the UK.

The stoves have been through an array of tests to ensure they comply with the UK's laws regarding smoking. They achieve this by incorporating the most recent clean-burn technology that makes use of secondary and tertiary burning to create healthier air for your home. This also reduces your fuel consumption as the fuel is burned more efficiently, which will reduce the carbon footprint.

The modern technology used in DEFRA approved wood burning stoves makes them more eco-friendly than older open fires or stoves. When utilized correctly, a wood stove is carbon neutral since trees absorb carbon dioxide during their growth. This is then returned to the atmosphere after they are burned. They are therefore an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels.

The main issue when using a stove that burns wood is the emissions that are generated. The smoke that is produced by a wood-burning fireplace is a mixture of ultrafine particles known to cause serious health problems. These particulates can cause breathing problems, aggravate asthma symptoms, and cause you to feel sick. They also increase the risk of cancer, heart disease and premature death.

The domestic wood-burning industry is the biggest source of PM2.5 pollution, producing three-times as much pollution than road traffic. This is because conventional wood stoves don't use clean burning technologies. It is essential to purchase an exempt DEFRA stove if your area is smoke-free, or even if it isn't. They are better for your chimney and the environment.

At Bowland Stoves, we stock an extensive range of DEFRA approved stoves from top manufacturers such as Arada, Stovax and Burley. If you're not sure which kind of stove is the best one for your home, we recommend talking to a member of our team. However, if you choose a DEFRA Approved Clean Burning Stoves-approved stove, you can be certain that it has been through extensive testing to ensure that it is safe to use in smoke-free areas.