What is a Defra Approved Wood Burning Stove?

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

The stoves are tested independently to ensure the lowest emission possible. Stoves with this certification typically carry the logo 'Defra-approved' in their names or specifications.

Approved for Smoke Controlled Areas

Many people believe that living in a smoke controlled zone means they cannot use a fireplace with wood. This isn't the case. Most cities and large towns are in the smoke control zone, but that doesn't mean they can't 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 wood-burning stove that has been rigorously tested to ensure that it is in compliance with certain requirements in terms of the emissions it generates when burning authorised materials. It can therefore be legally used in a smoke control area.

The Defra logo is widely adopted in the industry, and a lot of the stoves approved have SE after their names which means they are smoke-free. In order for a stove to be SE approved, it must satisfy strict requirements in relation to its emissions, so you can be certain 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 searching for a wood-burning stove which is Defra-exempt, or has SE after its name You will notice that the manufacturer might have done things like ensure that there are sufficient air intakes in the front of stove to allow for full combustion of the fuel, and that the size of the chimney outlet is sufficient to prevent the accumulation of soot. This is crucial because it ensures that smoke from the wood burning stove does not escape through the chimney and into your home.

Another benefit of the Defra approved stove is that it generally allows you to fit it with five" chimney liner, which is in compliance with UK building regulations, whereas stoves that aren't Defra-approved will have to be fitted with a bigger 6" liner.

At Stovax we are proud to offer a selection of Defra approved stoves and fires. We also have our Ecodesign Ready stoves that have been developed with the future of air quality standards in mind. A large portion of our approved stoves can also be used in conjunction with a smoke-control system for properties that are 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

The only stove that can be installed inside a smoke-control zone is a DEFRA approved wood burner, also known as DEFRA exempt. This stove must be used with a solid fuel, that is wood, preferably well-seasoned. The government tests them to ensure they don't produce excessive smoke and are only suitable for use with approved fuels.

The difference between the differences between a DEFRA approved stove and one that is not can be very minimal. With a kit from the manufacturer, a lot of modern stoves can be easily made DEFRA certified stoves 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 have a limit on the amount of smoke they can produce.

To ensure that the restrictions are maintained, the stove must be able limit its combustion air to ensure that it doesn't rob itself of oxygen and cause it to smolder. This is accomplished by a mechanism inside the stove that opens the air into the firebox during combustion, which is often hidden inside the stove and beneath the base of the fire box.

Stove World UK offers a vast selection of DEFRA stoves for sale approved stoves from some of the best brands in the country such as Stovax, Arada and Burley. They are available in a vast variety of styles and finishes. You can also pick from an impressive variety of Ecodesign ready stoves that are specifically designed to meet future standards for air quality.

Smoke Control Areas are usually located in large cities and towns and you can look up your local authority's website to determine if the area you live in is classed as such. It is important to purchase an approved DEFRA stove if you reside in a smoke-controlled zone. This will help you avoid a fine from the local authority. This is because if you use 'unauthorised fuel in a non-approved stove, for example coal or any other solid fuels that could result in fines of 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 a Smoke Control Area. The stove will have the luxury DEFRA stoves approved symbol or 'SE' the title that means it is only permitted to be used in smoke-controlled areas where you can burn approved fuels. In this case wood is the fuel.

A lot of older wood stoves release lots of particulate matter into the air that can trigger or contribute to respiratory issues asthma attacks, heart problems and premature death. It is therefore important to choose a wood stove that meets strict emission standards as set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Look for the "EPA 2020 Certified Label" which indicates that the stove has met the emission limits that are currently in place.

If you purchase a stove that is not EPA certified and you live in a smoke control area, you will need to have it recertified before you can use it. It is time-consuming and expensive, but the law requires it. In addition, homeowners who sell a house with an uncertified wood stove could be liable for clean air tax credits as well as fines.

Most modern stoves can be altered to become DEFRA approved clean burning stoves approved with an adjustment kit or a kit that the installer offers. The major difference between DEFRA approved stoves and those that aren't combustion air control system that regulates the amount of air that passes through the stove when it's operating normally. The change is usually made on the underside of the firebox, or in the base.

Certain manufacturers make two types of wood stove: one that is Defra-approved, and the other not. The reason behind this is that the cost of putting a wood stove through the rigorous Defra testing is expensive. To reduce these costs, they sell the non approved version at a lower price. The DEFRA-approved model will have undergone the combustion air modification as part of the testing procedure.

Approved Gas

Before the Clean Air Acts were brought in residential homes could burn any kind of fuel they wanted which resulted in large quantities of smoke emissions and health issues. To stop this, Defra established Smoke Control Areas. This meant that homes could not emit smoke except if their wood burners and multifuel stoves were Defra-approved for burning only approved materials such as manufactured smokeless coke and anthracite.

DEFRA approved contemporary stoves approved SE (Smoke-Exempt) Stoves have been subjected to rigorous testing in order to prove that they can burn authorised fuels cleanly in a Smoke Control Zone. The latest technology for combustion delivers an indefinite amount of secondary air into the firebox. This lets the stove 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 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 wide range of stoves that are Defra-approved, including traditional models, modern and inset, from leading manufacturers like Stovax. Arada, Burley and AGA.

The good news is there is no distinction in appearance between a stove that is Defra-approved and one that isn't. However the stoves that are approved by Defra come with a few extra features that are designed to help them burn more efficiently. Generally they will have a different grate design and air vents and on the gas models they may also feature an outlet for the flue that is different in size.

A Defra Approved Stove will almost always have a 5" flue outlet (125mm). This means that you can use a smaller stainless steel twin wall flexible liner that is cheaper than a 6" (150mm). This is useful when installing wood-burning stoves that are Defra-approved into an old or non-standard chimney stack. It will save you money replacing a bigger diameter chimney liner.