What is a Defra Approved Wood Burning Stove?

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

They are independently tested to provide the lowest emissions possible. Stoves that are certified as such typically carry the logo 'Defra-approved' in their name or Defra approved stoves on their specifications.

Approved for Smoke Controlled Areas

Many people believe that living in a smoke control area means they can't use a wood burning fireplace. This isn't the case. The majority of towns and cities fall under a smoke control zone but that doesn't mean they can't use a wood burning stove. It's simply that they have to burn approved fuels in their stove (usually Briquettes). The Defra-approved stove is a wood-burning stove that has been rigorously tested to ensure that it meets certain standards in regards to the emissions it emits when burning authorised materials. It is therefore able to be used legally in smoke-control zones.

The DEFRA stoves features logo is widely used in the industry, and a lot of the stoves approved bear SE after their name, meaning they are smoke exempt. To be SE approved, a stove must meet strict emission requirements. This means that you can be confident you're buying the best wood stove available.

If you search for a wood burning stove that is Defra exempt or has SE after its name, you'll often find that the manufacturer has carried out things such as made sure there enough air inlets on the front of the stove to allow for full combustion of the fuel, and that the chimney outlet is large enough to prevent the build-up of soot. This is important because it ensures that smoke from the wood stove is not able to escape through the chimney and into your home.

Another benefit of a Defra approved stove is that it usually allows you to install it with five" chimney liner, which will comply with UK building regulations, whereas non-Defra approved stoves will need to be fitted with a larger 6" liner.

At Stovax we are proud to offer a range of Defra approved stoves and fires, as well as our Ecodesign Ready stoves that have been created with the future of air quality standards in mind. In fact, a lot of our Defra approved stoves are also able to be used with a smoke control kit for properties located in a Smoke Control Area and can therefore be used with a variety of approved 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 area when you plan to use it to burn solid fuel (wood and preferably well-seasoned). They are tested by the government to ensure that they don't create excessive levels of smoke. They can be used with 'authorised fuels (coal only).

The distinction between a stove that is DEFRA approved and Defra approved stoves one that isn't approved is usually very small. Modern stoves can be transformed into DEFRA certified by a kit that is supplied by the manufacturer and installed in just a few minutes. This is because Defra approved appliances must pass extremely rigorous tests and are restricted in the amount of smoke they can produce.

To ensure that the restrictions are maintained the stove has to be able limit its combustion air so that it doesn't rob itself of oxygen, which could cause it smoulder. This is accomplished through a mechanism within the stove that allows an air pocket into the firebox during the process of combustion, which is usually hidden within the stove and underneath the base of the fire box.

Stove World UK offers a vast selection of DEFRA approved stoves from the best DEFRA stoves brands in the country, including Stovax, Arada and Burley. They are available in a wide variety of styles and designs. You can also select from a vast selection of Ecodesign ready stoves that are designed to meet future air quality requirements.

Smoke Control Zones are located predominantly in towns and cities with large populations. You can go to the website of your local authority to find out whether you are in one. It is important to purchase an approved DEFRA stove if you reside in a smoke-controlled zone. 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 other solid fuels and you are fined up to PS300.

Approved for wood

A DEFRA approved stove, also known as a smoke exempt wood stove is an appliance that can be used to burn wood in smoke Control Area. The stove will bear the Defra approved logo or 'SE' after its name which means that it is able to be used in smoke controlled areas that burn approved fuels, in this case wood.

Many older wood stoves emit large amounts of particulate matter into the atmosphere, which can cause or contribute to respiratory problems asthma attacks, heart issues and premature death. It is therefore important to purchase a stove that meets strict emission standards as set by the Environmental Protection Agency. You should look for the "EPA 2020 Certified" label, which signifies that the stove has met the emission limits currently in place.

If you purchase an appliance that isn't EPA certified and you live in a smoke control area 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. Homeowners who sell a home with wood stoves that are not certified may be subject to tax credits or fines relating to the clean air.

With a kit or an adjustment made by the installer, most modern stoves can be Defra approved. The primary difference between DEFRA approved stoves and ones that aren't is the combustion air control system that controls the amount of air that flows through the stove when it's in normal operation. Modifications are typically applied to the base or side of the firebox that is underneath the stove.

Certain manufacturers make two versions of a wood stove. One is Defra-approved and the other not. This is because the process of running a stove through the stringent Defra tests is expensive and to offset some of this expense they will sell the non-approved version at a lower cost. The DEFRA-approved version will have been through the modification to the combustion air in the course of the test procedure.

Approved Gas

Before the Clean Air Acts were brought into effect, residential homes could use any kind of fuel they wanted which led to large amounts of smoke emissions as well as health issues. To prevent this, Defra established Smoke Control Areas. This meant that homes could not emit any smoke in the event that their wood burners or multifuel stoves were approved by Defra for 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 stringent testing to prove that they are able to burn cleanly authorised fuels within a Smoke Control Zone. The latest combustion technology delivers an indefinite amount of secondary air into the firebox. This allows the stove to meet Defra regulations for Smoke Control Areas even when it is using authorised fuels like anthracite as well as manufactured smokeless coals.

If you're looking for a brand new wood-burning stove and live in Smoke Control Area then we suggest that you take a look at the selection of Defra approved stoves which are available at The Stove Yard. We have an extensive selection of contemporary, traditional and inset Defra approved stoves from industry-leading manufacturers like Stovax, Arada, Burley and AGA.

The good news is that there is no distinction in appearance between a stove approved by Defra and a non-approved model. However the models that are Defra-approved come with a few extra features designed to ensure they burn more efficiently. They usually have a slightly different grate and air vents as well as on gas models they might have a slightly different size flue outlet.

A Defra Approved Stove will almost always have five" flue outlet (125mm). This means you can use a smaller stainless steel twin wall flexible liner that is less expensive than a 6" (150mm). This is a great option when you install a Defra-approved wood burning stove in an older or non-standard chimney stack. It can save money on replacing a bigger diameter chimney liner.