What is a Defra Approved Stove?

A defra approved stove is a wood burning stove that has been tested and passed by the UK Government's Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. This permits them to be used in Smoke Control Areas within the UK.

Defra the English government department, is responsible for the environment, food production standards agriculture, and a thriving rural economy. Defra also establishes solid protocols to deal with the spread of notifiable diseases.

Approved by Defra

Defra approved stoves, also referred as Defra smoke-free stoves, are multi fuel stoves that meet the emission standards of the government for use in Smoke Control Areas. These new standards do not prohibit the use of wood stoves in these areas, but only restrict the amount of smoke they can produce while in operation.

At ESSE we are proud to stock a great range of defra-approved stoves from top manufacturers like Arada, Burley, Parkray and Stovax. All of our Defra-approved stoves come with the most modern clean burning technology. This means that they are equipped with secondary and third-party combustion systems that aid to reduce emissions, which results in less noxious smoke coming from the chimney and leaving a greener footprint.

DEFRA stoves Specifications approved products can be used to clean and disinfect hard surfaces such as farms, buildings and vehicles. The Animal and Plant Health Agency maintains the DEFRA approved efficient stoves approved list of disinfectants. They charge a fee for the introduction of new back-to-back approvals of trade names. APHA can also retest a disinfectant's efficacy at anytime. This is performed without submitting samples, and the results will be added to the approved list of disinfectants.

Approved for Smoke Control Areas

A lot of areas in the UK are classed as Smoke Control Areas, meaning you can only use fuels that are authorised or exempt appliances. This is done to reduce air pollution that can be caused by burning fuels that are not authorised that produce ash and smoke that is nuisance. To avoid breaking the law or getting fined, you must only burn wood logs using a DEFRA-approved stove, fire or fireplace. Stovax has a range of multi-fuel stoves and wood stoves as well as fireplaces and fires that are luxury DEFRA stoves approved for use in Smoke Control Areas.

The stoves have passed the strict DEFRA emissions tests and are able to meet the low smoke levels permitted in Smoke Control Areas. They can be used to burn various fuels, including logs, semi-anthracite or anthracite Briquettes, or manufactured smokeless fuels like heat logs. You can also use them to burn gas, electricity low volatile steam or a combination of these. You can find a list of all the approved fuels on the DEFRA website.

Look for the DEFRA Logo on the website of the manufacturer or in their showrooms when choosing a stove. If they have the logo then you know that the stove is Defra approved for use in smoke-controlled areas and can be used to burn wood in these zones. You'll still need to install a suitable chimney liner, however the narrower 5kW stoves are usually more affordable and easier to install than larger models since they can be used with 5" twin wall stainless steel liner instead of the standard 6" liner.

If you do not have an DEFRA approved stove, you might be eligible to obtain an approval from your local authority to burn unapproved fuels in your home. You'll need to go to the DEFRA website to find out if you can apply for an exemption, and there are rules to be adhered to such as installing a smoke detector. It is also important to note that if you own an open fire, barbecue or garden chiminea, DEFRA stoves Specifications you'll have to adhere to the same rules as Smoke Control Areas.

Approved for Smokeless fuels

In order to be defra approved, wood burners must be able to burn approved smokeless fuels without causing excessive emissions. These fuels, Defra Stoves Specifications referred to as 'Smokeless Coal or Heat Logs', have been subjected to rigorous tests to ensure they meet the specifications of the Defra's Smoke Control Areas. These fuels are a great alternative to real logs, as they are cleaner and produce less fumes than traditional logs.

Before the regulations for smoke control areas were put in place, residents could use any kind of fuel they wanted to and this led to an abundance of air pollution, which caused health problems for those living in areas with built-up structures. Since the rules came into place, Defra has worked to reduce the amount of pollutants in these areas by regulating what is allowed to be used in stoves and fireplaces.

If you reside in a smoke-free area, then it is vital that your stove is Defra approved to ensure that you don't face hefty fines for breaking the rules. Even if you don't live in a smoke controlled area it's worthwhile to consider an exempt stove from defra as they are better for the environment and your chimney system too.

Defra has endorsed wood-burning stoves as well multi-fuel stoves that have passed the UK Smoke Control Areas legislation. When you purchase a new stove, be sure that it's got the Defra approval badge to be certain that it complies with the regulations required.

There are two main methods to get Defra approved. One method is to make your stove and fuels Defra approved by having them tested, which is very expensive. You can also buy a Defra-approved stove and use only fuels that are approved by Defra. This can be cheaper, but it is still recommended to inquire with your local council if are not sure if you are in the Smoke Control Area.

In England, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is responsible for protecting the environment and control including air quality. It also represents the United Kingdom at international negotiations regarding agricultural, environmental and fisheries issues. The department was established in 2001 following the merger of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF), the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) and is a part of the Home Office. The department is managed by a cabinet minister, who reports directly to the Prime Minister.

Approved for Multi Fuel Stoves

DEFRA approved stoves are tested for efficiency and low emissions. They are suitable for smoke-free environments and can burn logs, coal or wood. These stoves come in various sizes and designs, and can be installed or freestanding. The stoves are ideal for those who wish to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on heating costs.

The Defra Logo is easily recognizable and widely used in the industry. The Defra logo can be seen on the title and specification sheets of many stoves. It signifies that the appliance can burn authorised fuels within smoke controlled areas. In some cases the stove will also have an SE (smoke exempt) logo that signifies that the stove is able to be legally installed in a smoke-control area in the event of burning fuels approved by the government.

Wood burning stoves that are Defra-approved provide the most recent technologies for clean combustion and are generally more efficient. Numerous top stove manufacturers like Arada, Burley, Parkray and Stovax have developed secondary and tertiary combustible systems to enhance the efficiency of their stoves.

If you reside in an area where smoke is regulated and you're not using a DEFRA-approved cooking appliance you could be subject to penalties of up to PS1000. You can avoid this by ensuring that the stove you purchase is DEFRA approved prior to buying it.

A DEFRA approved stove is the most efficient way to warm your home whilst being environmentally friendly. A DEFRA approved wood burning stove can aid in reducing your energy bills, and will also stop smoke from causing trouble to neighbours. You're sure find the perfect DEFRA-approved multifuel or wood burning stove for your home. There are even models that are both DEFRA approved and Eco Design-2022 compliant so you can have the best of both! Browse the range to discover what's on offer.