What is a Defra Approved Wood Burning Stove?

If you live in a region where smoke is controlled, it's important to purchase a DEFRA-exempt stove. A DEFRA exempt stove (or SE) allows you to legally burn wood in a smoke-controlled area.

The stoves are tested independently to ensure the lowest emission possible. Stoves with this status often feature the logo 'Defra-approved' in their name or specification.

Approved for Smoke Controlled Areas

Many people believe that living in a smoke control zone means that they aren't able to make use of a fireplace that burns wood. It's not the case. The majority of towns and cities are within a smoke control zone but that doesn't mean they aren't able to use a wood burning stove. It's just that they have to burn approved fuels in their stove (usually Briquettes). The stove that is Defra-approved is a Efficient 8KW Black Cast Iron Eco Wood Stove-burning stove that has been thoroughly tested to ensure that it meets certain criteria in terms of the emissions it generates when burning authorised materials. This means it can be legally used in areas of smoke control.

The Defra Logo is widely used in the industry, and many stoves feature the SE after their names to indicate they are smoke-free. To be able to be SE approved, it must satisfy strict criteria with regards to its emissions So you can be certain that if you choose a defra exempt stove you will receive the cleanest and best burning wood stove available.

If you are searching for a wood-burning stove that is Defra-exempt or that has SE after its title You will notice that the manufacturer may have taken measures to make sure that there are enough air intakes on the front of the stove to ensure that there is a full combustion of the fuel, and that the size of the chimney outlet is sufficient to prevent accumulation of soot. This is crucial because it ensures that the smoke from the wood burning stove does not escape through the chimney into your home.

Another benefit of the Defra approved stove is that it usually allows you to fit it with a 5" chimney liner, which is in compliance with the UK building regulations, whereas stoves that are not Defra approved will need to be fitted with a larger 6" liner.

Stovax is proud to offer a selection of Defra-approved Fireplaces And Stove and stoves as well as our Ecodesign Ready stoves which have been designed with future standards for air quality in mind. Many of our Defra-approved stoves are also able to be used in conjunction with a smoke control system for homes located in Smoke Control Zones. They can be used to burn a variety 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 that you can put in a smoke control zone in the event that you intend to use it to burn solid fuel (wood, preferably well seasoned). The government tests these stoves to ensure that they don't release excessive smoke and that they are only suitable for use with fuels that are 'authorized.

The difference between the differences between a DEFRA approved stove and one that is not is usually very little. With a kit from the manufacturer, many modern stoves can be easily transformed into DEFRA compliant in just a few minutes. This is because the Defra approved stove must undergo rigorous tests and is limited on how much smoke it can produce.

To ensure that the restrictions are kept, the stove must be able limit its combustion air to ensure that it doesn't rob itself of oxygen and cause it smoulder. This is done through a mechanism within the stove which opens a small amount of air into the firebox during the process of combustion, which is often hidden inside the stove and underneath the base of the firebox.

Stove World UK has a wide range of DEFRA approved stoves, from some of the best brands in the country such as Stovax Arada and Burley. They are available in a vast range of styles and finishes. Pick from a variety of Ecodesign stoves, which are designed to meet the upcoming requirements for air quality.

Smoke Control Areas are usually located in large cities and towns and you can check the website of your local authority to determine if your area is classified as one. It is essential to buy an approved DEFRA-approved stove if reside in a zone that is smoke-controlled. This will allow you to avoid being fined by the local authority. This is because if you burn 'unauthorised' fuel in a non-approved stove, like coal or any other solid fuels that could result in fines of up to PS300.

Approved for wood

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

The older wood stoves can release lots of particulate matter into the air, which can cause or contribute to respiratory problems, asthma attacks, heart issues and premature death. This is why it's crucial to purchase a new wood stove that meets the strict emission standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Look for an "EPA 2020 Certified" label, which signifies that the stove is in compliance with the emission limits currently in place.

If you purchase a stove that is not EPA certified and you live in a smoke-free zone it is necessary to get it recertified before you can use it. It can be costly and time-consuming, but it is required by law. In addition homeowners who sell a home that has a wood stove that is not certified may be liable for clean air tax credits and fines.

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

Certain manufacturers make two versions of a wood stove, one that is Defra-approved and the other that isn't. This is due to the process of putting a stove through the rigorous Defra tests can be very costly in order to recover some of the cost, they will sell the non-approved model at a lower price. The DEFRA approved version will have had the combustion air modification performed as part of the testing process.

Approved Gas

Before the Clean Air Acts were brought in homes for residential use, homeowners could burn any type of fuel they wanted, which resulted in large amounts of smoke emissions and health issues. To prevent this Defra created Smoke Control Areas which meant that residential homes could not emit any smoke from their wood burners or multifuel stoves unless the appliance was Defra approved to burn only fuels that were authorised, such as manufactured smokeless coals and anthracite.

Defra approved stoves, also known as SE (Smoke Exempt) Stoves, have undergone rigorous tests to prove that they are able to burn cleanly authorized fuels within a Smoke Control Zone. The latest technology for combustion delivers an indefinite amount of secondary air into the firebox. This allows the stove to meet Defra standards for Smoke Control Areas even when it is used with approved fuels like anthracite and manufactured smokeless coals.

The Stove Yard has a vast selection of stoves that are Defra approved that are ideal for those who live in a smoke control area and need a new wood-burning fireplace. We have a broad selection of stoves that are Defra-approved, Fireplaces And Stove including traditional modern, contemporary and inset models from top brands like Stovax. Arada, Burley, and AGA.

The good news is there is no visual difference between a Defra-approved woodburning stove and a stove that is not approved. However, the Defra-approved models do have a few features designed to ensure they burn cleaner. They usually have an aesthetically different grate and air vents and on gas models, they might have a slightly larger flue outlet.

Another benefit of the Defra Approved stove is that they will almost always come with five" (125mm) flue outlet. This means that you can choose a narrower stainless steel twin wall flexible chimney liner which is cheaper than the standard 6" (150mm) liner. This is a great option when you install wood-burning stoves that are Defra-approved in an older or non-standard chimney stack. It can save money on the cost of relining a chimney with a larger diameter liner.