What is a Defra Approved Wood Burning Stove?

If you reside in a zone of smoke control then you must purchase a DEFRA exempt stove. A DEFRA exempt (or SE) stove allows you to burn wood legally in a smoke-controlled area.

They are independently tested to provide the lowest emissions possible. Stoves with this certification typically have the logo 'Defra-approved' in their names or specifications.

Approved for Smoke Controlled Areas

Many people think that living in a Smoke Control Area means you can't have a stove that burns wood and this is not true. Many towns and cities fall under a smoke control zone however 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 brquettes). The Defra approved stove is a specific type of wood burning stove that has been tested to ensure it meets certain requirements regarding the emissions that it produces when burning fuels that are approved and therefore, it can be legally used in a Smoke Control Area.

The Defra logo is widely used in the industry and many of the stoves approved bear SE after their name, meaning they are smoke-free. To be able to be SE approved, it must meet strict criteria with regards to its emissions So you can be assured that if you choose a stove that is defra exempt, you are getting the cleanest and best burning wood stove on the market.

If you are looking for a wood burning stove that is Defra exempt or is marked with SE after its name, you'll often find that the manufacturer has carried out things like making sure there are enough air inlets on the front of the stove to allow for full combustion of the fuel and that the chimney outlet size is sufficient to prevent the build-up of soot. This is important as it ensures that smoke from the wood stove doesn't escape through the chimney and into your home.

Another benefit of the Defra approved stove is that it typically allows you to fit it with 5" chimney liner, which is in compliance with UK building regulations. However, 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 stoves and fireplaces, as well as our Ecodesign Ready stoves which have been designed with future air quality standards at heart. Many of our Defra-approved stoves can also be used conjunction with a smoke control system for properties located in Smoke Control Zones. They can be utilized to burn a variety of non-smokeless fuels, such as fire logs.

Approved for Smokeless fuels

A DEFRA approved wood burning stove, also known as a DEFRA exempt stove is the only type of stove you can install in a smoke control area if you plan to make use of it for solid fuel (wood, preferably well seasoned). The government tests these stoves to ensure that they don't produce excessive smoke and are only suitable for use with 'authorized' fuels.

The difference between a DEFRA-approved stove and one that isn't approved is usually minimal. With a kit supplied by the manufacturer, many modern stoves can be easily transformed into DEFRA certified in a matter of minutes. This is due to the fact that Defra approved appliances must pass extremely rigorous tests and have a limit on the amount of smoke they can produce.

To ensure that the restrictions are not violated the stove has to be able to limit the amount of combustion air so that it doesn't deprive itself of oxygen and cause it to smolder. This is accomplished through a mechanism within the stove that opens the air into the firebox during the process of combustion, which is usually hidden within the stove and beneath the base of the fire box.

Stove World UK has a vast selection of DEFRA approved stoves, from some of the most reputable brands in the country including Stovax Arada and Burley. They are available in a huge range of styles and finishes. You can also select from a wide range of Ecodesign ready stoves that are designed to meet future requirements for air quality.

Smoke Control Zones are predominantly in large towns and cities. You can visit the website of your local authority to determine whether you are in one. If you reside in a smoke-free zone, it is very important that you buy an DEFRA approved stove for your home, to avoid being fined by your local authority. This is because if you use 'unauthorised' fuel in an unapproved stove, for example coal or other solid fuels that could result in fines of up to PS300.

Approved for wood

A DEFRA approved stove, also called a smoke exempt wood stove is an appliance that can be used to burn wood in a Smoke Control Area. The stove will be stamped with the Defra approved logo or have the word "SE" after its name, which means it is able to be used in smoke controlled areas that burn approved fuels only that is, in this instance, wood.

Many older wood stoves emit large amounts of particles into the air which can trigger or fireplacesandstove contribute to respiratory problems asthma attacks, heart issues and premature death. Therefore, it is essential to purchase a stove that is compliant with the strict emission standards set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency. Look for the "EPA 2020 Certified Label" which indicates 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 control area, you will need to be able to get it certified before you can use it. It can be costly and time-consuming, however it is legally required. In addition homeowners who sell their home with an uncertified wood stove could be subject to clean air tax credits and fines.

With a kit or an adjustment provided by the installer, the majority of modern stoves can become DEFRA Stoves price range-approved. This is due to the primary difference between the DEFRA approved stove and those which aren't, is the combustion air management system that regulates how much air flows through the stove during normal operation. The modification will usually be made on the underside of the firebox or in the base.

Some manufacturers produce two versions of their wood stove one that is Defra approved and the other that is not. This is because the process of running a stove through the strict Defra tests is very expensive, so to help recoup some of the costs, they'll offer the non-approved version at a lower cost. The DEFRA approved version will have been subjected to the modification of combustion air performed as part of the testing procedure.

Approved for Gas

Prior to the Clean Air Acts, residential homes were able to burn any fuel they wanted, leading to excessive smoke emissions. This led to health issues. To combat this, Defra established Smoke Control Areas. This meant that homes could not emit any smoke except if their wood burners and Efficient NRG 5KW MultiFuel Cast Iron Stove stoves were approved by Defra for burning only approved materials such as manufactured smokeless coke and anthracite.

Defra approved SE (Smoke-Exempt) Stoves have been subjected to rigorous testing to demonstrate that they can burn authorised fuels cleanly within a Smoke Control Zone. The latest combustion technology delivers an unabated minimum of secondary air into the firebox. This lets the stove comply with Defra standards for Smoke Control Areas even when it is using authorised fuels like anthracite and manufactured smokeless coals.

The Stove Yard has a wide range 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 an extensive selection of contemporary, traditional and inset defra stoves approved stoves from industry-leading manufacturers such as Stovax, Arada, Burley and AGA.

The good thing is that there's not any noticeable distinction in appearance between an Defra approved wood-burning stove and one that isn't, however the Defra approved models do have a number of features which are designed to ensure that they burn more efficiently. In general, they have a different grate as well as air vents. On the gas models, they may also have a different sized flue outlet.

A Defra Approved Stove will almost always have 5" flue outlet (125mm). This means you can use a smaller stainless twin wall flexible liner that is less expensive than a 6" (150mm). We've used this when a customer has an older or non-standard chimney that we are installing the Defra approved wood burning stove in to and it saves the cost of re-lining the chimney stack with a bigger diameter liner.