What is a Defra Approved Wood Burning Stove?

If you reside in a smoke control area then it is crucial to purchase a DEFRA exempt stove. A DEFRA exempt stove (or SE) permits you to legally burn wood in a smoke-controlled area.

The stoves are independently tested for the lowest emissions possible. Stoves with this status are usually branded with the 'Defra approved logo on their specifications or name.

Approved for Smoke Controlled Areas

Many people think that living in a Smoke Control Area means you can't use a wood-burning stove but this isn't the case. In reality, many cities and towns are within an area that is smoke-free, however this doesn't mean that you can't have stoves, it just implies that you have to use an exempt appliance and only burn fuels that are approved (usually brquettes) in your stove. The Defra-approved stove is a wood-burning stove that has been thoroughly tested to make sure that it is in compliance with certain requirements in regards to the emissions it emits when burning authorised materials. It is therefore able to be legally used in smoke-control zones.

The Defra Logo is widely used in the industry, and a lot of stoves feature the SE after their names to indicate that they are smoke-free. To be SE approved, a stove must meet strict emission requirements. This means you can be confident you're buying the best wood stove available.

If you are looking for a wood-burning stove that is Defra exempt or is marked with SE after its name, you'll often discover that the manufacturer has taken care of things like making sure there are enough air intakes on the front of the stove to permit full combustion of the fuel, and that the chimney outlet is large enough to prevent soot build-up. This is important as it ensures that smoke from the wood burning stove is not able to escape through the chimney and into your home.

A stove that is Defra-approved allows you to use a 5" liner that is in compliance with UK building regulations. Non-Defra-approved stoves require an 6" liner.

Stovax is proud to offer a selection of Defra-approved Fireplaces And Stove and stoves and Ecodesign Ready stoves which have been designed keeping future standards for air quality in mind. A large portion of our approved stoves can also be used conjunction with a smoke control system for properties located in Smoke Control Zones. They can be used to burn a variety of in smokeless fuels, including fire logs.

Approved for Smokeless Fuels

A DEFRA approved wood burning stove, also referred to as a DEFRA exempt stove is the only type of stove you can install in a smoke control zone if you plan to use it to burn solid fuel (wood or wood that is well-seasoned). They are tested by the government to ensure that they don't generate excessive levels of smoke. They can be used with approved' fuels (coal only).

The difference between the differences between a DEFRA approved stove and a non-approved one can be very minimal. With a kit from the manufacturer, a lot of modern stoves can be easily converted to DEFRA conforming in just a few just a few minutes. This is due to the fact that Defra approved appliances must pass very strict tests and are restricted in the amount of smoke they can produce.

To ensure that these limitations remain in place during the testing process, the stove must be capable of limiting the combustion air supply so that it does not deplete itself of oxygen, which may cause it to smoke. This is accomplished through the mechanism that allows an air pocket in the firebox when it's burning. It is typically hidden in the stove or under the base of its firebox.

Stove World UK has a large selection of DEFRA approved stoves from some of the most reputable brands in the country, including Stovax Arada and Burley. These are available in a huge range of styles and finishes. You can also pick from an impressive variety of Ecodesign ready stoves that have been specifically designed to meet future requirements for air quality.

Smoke Control Zones are mostly in large towns and cities. You can visit the website of your local authority to see whether you reside in one. It is important to purchase an approved DEFRA-approved stove if reside in a zone that is smoke-controlled. This will help you avoid being fined by the local authority. This is because if you burn 'unauthorised fuel in an unapproved stove, for example coal or other solid fuels and you are fined up to PS300.

Approved for Wood

A DEFRA approved wood stove also called a smoke exempt stove is an appliance that can be utilized in a Smoke Control Area when burning wood. The stove will have the Defra approved symbol or the word 'SE' in the title that means it is only permitted to be used in areas controlled by smoke where you can burn approved fuels. In this case wood is the fuel.

The older wood stoves produce huge amounts of particulate matter. These can cause or worsen respiratory problems, asthma attacks and heart problems. This is why it's essential to buy an updated wood stove that is compliant with the strict emission standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Look for the "EPA 2020 Certified Label" which means that the wood stove meets the emission limits that are currently in place.

If you purchase a stove that isn't EPA certified and you reside in a smoke-free zone you must be able to get it certified before you can use it. It can be costly and time-consuming, but it is required by law. Additionally homeowners who sell their home that has a wood stove that is not certified may be liable for clean air tax credits as well as fines.

With a kit, or an adjustment made by the installer, the majority of modern stoves can be Defra approved. This is due to the primary difference between a DEFRA approved stove and one which aren't, is the combustion air management system which regulates the amount of air that passes through the stove in normal operation. Modifications are usually made to the base or underside of a stove's firebox.

Some manufacturers will produce two versions of their wood Efficient 5KW Portable Eco Stove MultiFuel Cast Iron, one that is Defra approved and the other that is not. The reason behind this is that the cost of putting a wood stove through the rigorous Defra testing is costly. To offset these costs, they sell the non approved version at a lower cost. The DEFRA approved version will have been able to have the modification to the combustion air performed as part of the testing procedure.

Approved for Gas

Before the Clean Air Acts were brought in residential homes could burn any type of fuel they wanted which led to large quantities of smoke emissions and health problems. To combat this, Defra established Smoke Control Areas. This meant that residential homes could not produce any smoke unless their wood burners and multifuel stoves were Defra-approved to allow burning only approved substances like manufactured smokeless coke and anthracite.

Defra approved stoves, also referred to as SE (Smoke Exempt) Stoves, have been subjected to rigorous testing to demonstrate that they can burn cleanly authorized fuels within a Smoke Control Zone. The latest combustion technology delivers an unabated minimum of secondary air into the firebox. This lets the stove meet Defra regulations for Smoke Control Areas even when it is used with approved fuels like anthracite as well as manufactured smokeless coals.

The Stove Yard has a large selection of Defra-approved stoves which are perfect for those who reside in a smoke control area and need a new wood burning fireplace. We have a broad range of traditional, contemporary and inset Defra approved stoves from industry-leading manufacturers such as Stovax, Fireplaces And Stove Arada, Burley and AGA.

The good part is that there's really a difference in appearance between the appearance of a Defra approved wood-burning stove and one that isn't. However, the Defra approved models have various features that are designed to ensure that they burn more efficiently. Generally they will have a different grate and air vents, and on gas stoves they may also feature an outlet for the flue that is different in size.

Another benefit of the Defra Approved stove is that they'll typically come with five" (125mm) flue outlet which means that you can use a narrower stainless steel twin wall flexible chimney liner which is cheaper than a standard 6" (150mm) liner. This is beneficial when putting a Defra-approved wood burning stove in an older or non-standard chimney stack. It can save money on re-lining a larger diameter chimney liner.