What is a Defra Approved Stove?

A defra-approved stove is wood-burning stove that has been approved by the UK Government Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. This allows them to use in Smoke Control Areas within the UK.

Defra is an English government department responsible for protecting the environment and food production, as well as standards, agriculture, and an thriving economy of the countryside. Defra also establishes strong protocols to control notifiable diseases.

Approved by DEFRA approved high-quality stoves

Defra approved stoves, also referred to as Defra smoke exempt stoves are wood burning and multi fuel stoves that meet the requirements of the government's emission standards for use in Smoke Control Areas. These new standards do not restrict the use of wood stoves in these areas, but only limit the amount of smoke they produce when in operation.

At ESSE we are proud to carry a large selection of defra approved stoves from the top manufacturers, including Arada, Burley, Parkray and Stovax. All of our Defra approved stoves feature the most recent clean burning technology. They come with secondary and tertiary systems to reduce emissions. This means less smoke coming from the chimney and leaves a more eco-friendly footprint.

Defra approved products are suitable to clean and disinfect hard surfaces such as farms, buildings and vehicles. The Animal and Plant Health Agency maintains the Defra approved list of disinfectants. They charge a fee to obtain new back-to-back approval of trade names. APHA can also test the efficacy of a product at any point. This can be done without submitting samples, and the results will be added to the approved disinfectants list.

Approved for Smoke Control Areas

Many areas of the UK are classified as Smoke Control Areas, meaning you are only allowed to burn fuels that are approved or appliances that are exempt from being used. This is in order to reduce the amount of air pollution created by burning unauthorised fuels, which can cause nuisance smoke and ash build up. Many cities and towns fall in this category. To avoid breaking the law and receiving an infringement charge, you must use a DEFRA approved fireplace, stove or fire to burn wood logs. Stovax offer a variety of wood and multi fuel fireplaces, stoves, and fires that are DEFRA approved for use in Smoke Control Areas.

These stoves have passed strict DEFRA emissions tests and meet the low smoke levels permitted in Smoke Control Areas. They can be used to burn a variety of fuels including logs, semi-anthracite or anthracite, briquettes or manufactured smokeless fuels such as heat logs. They can also be used to burn gas, electricity and steam coal that is low volatile or a combination of these. You can find an exhaustive list of approved fuels on the DEFRA website.

When you are choosing a stove for your home, look for the DEFRA stoves specifications logo which is found on the website of the manufacturer or in their showrooms. If the stove is marked with the DEFRA logo then you are aware that the stove is Defra approved for use in smoke-controlled areas and can be used to use wood to cook in these areas. It is still necessary to have an appropriate chimney liner, however, the smaller 5kW stoves are able to be fitted with a 5" twin-wall stainless steel liner instead of the standard 6" liner.

If you do not have an DEFRA approved stove, you might be able to obtain an authorization from your local authority to burn non-approved fuels in your home. You'll have to check the DEFRA website to determine whether an exemption is available. There are a few guidelines to follow like installing an alarm for smoke. You must also follow the rules for Smoke Control Areas if you have a garden chiminea or BBQ.

Approved for Smokeless Fuels

To be defra-approved wood burners must be able to burn smokeless fuels authorized by the government, without generating excessive emissions. These fuels are often called 'Smokeless Coal or 'Heat Logs which have been subjected to rigorous tests to ensure they meet the standards set by DEFRA permitted stoves for Smoke Control Areas. These fuels are a great alternative to logs made from real wood because they are cleaner and produce less smoke than seasoned logs.

Before the smoke control zones were established residents were allowed to burn whatever they wanted. This resulted in pollution of the air and health issues for those living in urban areas. Since the rules came into place, Defra has worked to reduce the amount of pollution in these areas by regulating what is allowed to be burned in stoves and fireplaces.

If you live in a smoking area, it is important that your stove is DEFRA stoves comparison approved to avoid hefty fines. However, even if you don't live in a smoke controlled area it's still worth investing in an exempt defra stove since they are safer for the environment and the chimney system too.

Defra has approved wood-burning stoves as well as multi-fuel stoves that have passed the UK Smoke Control Areas legislation. When purchasing a new stove, be sure it is equipped with the Defra approval badge so that you can be certain that it complies with the requirements of the law.

There are two primary ways to become Defra approved. The first way to become Defra-approved is by having your stove and fuels tested. This is an extremely expensive procedure. The other way is to buy an Defra approved stove and use Defra approved fuels. This is less expensive, but it is still recommended to consult your local council if are unsure if you reside in an area that is a Smoke Control Area.

In England in England, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is responsible for protecting the environment and control for air quality, among other things. It also represents the United Kingdom at international negotiations on 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 low emissions and efficiency. They are suitable for smoke-free areas and can burn wood, coal and logs. They are available in a range of sizes and styles. They can be either freestanding or inset. They are the ideal stove for those who wish to reduce their heating costs and reduce their carbon footprint.

The Defra logo is easy to spot and is widely used by the industry. It is commonly seen on the title and specification sheets of a variety of stoves and indicates that the stove can be used to burn authorised fuels in smoke-controlled areas. In some instances, the stove may also bear an SE (smoke exempt) logo that signifies that the stove can be legally installed in a smoke control area when burning authorised fuels.

Wood burning stoves that are Defra-approved feature the latest technologies for clean combustion and are typically more efficient. A number of top stove makers 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 controlled and you are not using a DEFRA-approved cooking appliance, you could face an amount of fine up to PS1000. To avoid this, you should ensure that your stove is DEFRA approved prior to purchasing it.

A DEFRA approved stove is the most efficient way to heat your home while being environmentally friendly. If you live in a smoke control area or not but an DEFRA Endorsed Stoves approved stove will save you money on your energy bills and will prevent nuisance smoke from causing disturbance to neighbors. You're sure find the perfect DEFRA-approved wood burning or multifuel stove for your home. There are a few models that are DEFRA approved and Eco Design 2022 compliant to provide you with the best of both worlds! Explore the selection to find what's available.