Why Buying a DEFRA Stove is Important If You Live in a Smoke Control Area

The purchase of a wood-burning stove is a personal decision and there are many aspects to consider. However, if you live in an area designated as a Smoke Control Area then it is essential to have a DEFRA approved stove.

DEFRA approved stoves or smoke exempt stoves are multi fuel wood-burning appliances that have been independently tested and proven to produce ultra-low levels of emissions. This allows them to be employed in Smoke Control Areas when burning approved fuels like lekto night briquettes or heating logs.

Cleaner Burning

The use of wood stoves to heat homes is now more popular than ever, as people realise that it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also reduce electricity costs. This is great news for the environment, however it is essential to only use dry, clean logs in your stove to ensure that emissions are at a minimum. If you choose to purchase a DEFRA stove and you are in a position to enjoy your fire without worrying about the impact that it has on the earth and you can be secure knowing that you're doing your part for the planet!

A Defra approved appliance (also called a DEFRA Smoke Exempt Appliance) has been tested to ensure that it complies with the strict government requirements for the amount of smoke produced. These stoves are suitable for smoke-controlled areas where the burning of non-approved fuels is forbidden. They are also able to work with a larger range of fuels than other stoves that aren't Defra approved.

You can recognise a DEFRA stove by the Defra logo that is frequently visible on the product's pages. The UK government department DEFRA (Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs), has very strict guidelines regarding the types of fuels that can be burned in smoke control areas. Using an unapproved stove could result in a fine. You can be assured that your stove is safe to use in smoke control areas that have fuels that are approved and thanks to the Defra approval. It is a good idea to determine if your home is in a Smoke Control Area before buying the new stove.

One of the most remarkable things about the DEFRA woodburner is that it reduces particle emissions when compared to older stoves. As a result of the cleaner combustion technology that is integrated into these stoves they have been shown to reduce emissions of particulate matter by as much as 80%. This improves the quality of indoor air and reduces risk to health associated with air pollution from contaminated aer.

Better Heat Output

DEFRA approved efficient stoves stoves have gone through rigorous testing to ensure they are in compliance with the UK government's strict regulations. They are emission-free and a high combustion efficiency which helps cut the waste. As well as being environmentally friendly, it means you'll get a better heating output from your stove, meaning you'll require less wood to keep your home warm.

Defra approved stoves are also suitable for use in smoke control areas and are able to be used with authorized fuels like wood and peat. They have been tested independently and it has been proved that they burn wood so efficiently that there is no smoke. They also have an air wash system that helps to clean the glass and get rid of any deposits of tar that accumulate.

In fact, they are so effective in reducing smoke that the UK government has enacted legislation to prevent people from burning unauthorised fuel in their homes. It is unlawful to emit black smoke from any chimney, unless it is exempted or burning a regulated fuel such as wood. If you live in an area that has smoke controls you'll need a DEFRA-approved stove or Ecodesign-ready wood burner.

Some of our top-selling DEFRA approved stoves include the Stovax Edge. This stunning multi-fuel stove has five kW of heat output. It is designed to be energy-efficient and has been awarded with the highest environmental standard, ClearSkies 5.

It's important to know that DEFRA approval does not mean that your stove is efficient. However it is important to look for Defra Approved stoves models with an efficient rating. The higher the efficiency the greater the amount of fuel will be transformed into heat and the lower your heating bill.

If you're looking for a wood burning stove that is Defra approved design, check out for models that have a 5" flue outlet, as they'll be able to be used with a 5" liner. This is a great choice when you're installing a stove in an existing chimney stack that cannot accommodate an 6" liner. It could also help to save money on the expense of installing. The Stove Yard has installed a number of Defra approved wood stoves with 5" outlets to accommodate this and discovered that customers are happy because they don't have to pay the extra expense of upgrading to a bigger chimney liner.

Reduced Emissions

If you live in a smoke-free zone, it is important to make use of a DEFRA approved stove. They can burn wood, coal, and certain types smokeless fuels, without releasing any smoke. This is due to the fact that they have been tested to ensure they comply with the strict guidelines put in place by the government. DEFRA multifuel stoves are extremely popular. You can find these stoves in a wide range of online retailers and in stores throughout the UK.

The term DEFRA-approved stove is often confused with the more formal term of a DEFRA exempt stove. However, these are two separate things. The term"DEFRA-exempt" means that the stove is pre-approved by DEFRA so that you are allowed to use certain fuels legally within your home. If you live in an area that is smoke-controlled and you don't have a DEFRA-exempt stove, you will be fined PS1000.

Stoves that have been approved by DEFRA have met the strict specifications of the Ecodesign Directive. This directive places the limit of 40 micrograms for each cubic metre the amount of airborne particulates that can be released by the flue gases of a stove during normal operation. As a result, modern stoves that burn clean such as those made by Arada produce considerably lower levels of particulates. By replacing an old stove with a newer model, you can cut down the amount of particulate emissions by up to 90%.

A stove that is approved by Defra can burn a variety fuels that include smokeless coal, briquettes and logs. It will provide a generous amount of heat, flames and light from any fuel you decide to use in it. It also offers an extremely high level of combustion, so you will be able to get the most heat from your fuel as you can.

The primary pollutant produced by solid fuels such as wood is ultra-fine particulate matter, more commonly known as PM2.5. It can enter the human respiratory system and trigger a range of symptoms, from irritated eyes to worsening asthma symptoms. Swapping an older stove for a DEFRA approved stove can reduce particulate emissions by 80%, while replacing an open flame could reduce them by up to 90%!

Easy Maintenance

When selecting a stove for the home, there are many aspects to take into consideration. You must consider the design, materials as well as the heat output. If you reside in a region that is the Smoke Control Area (SCA), it is crucial to choose an approved DEFRA-approved stove.

Defra approved stoves can burn various fuels, including smokeless and wood, without generating nuisance smoke. They have been thoroughly examined to ensure they meet the government's strict standards for emissions and smoke levels.

A Defra approved stove is also much greener than the older generations of stoves. The newer models have been constructed with clean-burning technology, making them less harmful emissions. Additionally numerous stove makers like Arada, Stovax and Hi-Flame have been developing secondary and tertiary combustion systems to further reduce the emissions of their stoves which has helped reduce the amount of smoke they emit.

A Defra stove will also be easier to maintain. You won't have to clean your stove or flue frequently since they burn cleaner. This can help prolong the lifespan of your stove and ensure it runs efficiently for a longer amount of time.

You might have heard of a DEFRA wood stove, but you aren't certain what it is. A Defra Stove is a wood stove that has been deemed suitable to be used in Smoke Control Areas by the UK Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs. If you have a wood-burning stove installed in your home however, it's not Defra-approved and you're breaking law by using it.

Defra stoves aren't just an excellent way to avoid breaking the law but also to save fuel and make your neighbors happy. There are numerous reasons to consider why a Defra stove is the ideal choice for your home and don't hesitate to contact us at Choice Stoves if you have any concerns.