What is a DEFRA compliant stoves UK Approved Wood Burning Stove?

If you reside in an area where smoking is controlled, it's essential to purchase a DEFRA exempt stove. A DEFRA exempt (or SE) stove permits you to burn wood legally in a smoke-controlled zone.

The stoves are tested independently to ensure the lowest emission possible. Stoves that are certified as such typically carry the word 'Defra approved' in their name or specification.

Approved for Smoke Controlled Areas

Many people believe that living in a smoke control zone means they cannot use a wood burning fireplace. This is not true. Most cities and large towns fall under a smoke control zone, but that doesn't mean they aren't able to use a wood burning stove. It just means they have to burn approved fuels in their stove (usually briquettes). The Defra-approved stove is a wood-burning stove that has been thoroughly tested to make sure that it is in compliance with certain requirements in terms of the emissions it generates when burning authorised fuels. It is therefore able to be used legally in areas of smoke control.

The Defra logo is widely used in the industry, and a lot of the stoves that are approved have SE after their name, meaning they are smoke free. To be able to be SE approved, it must satisfy strict requirements in relation to emissions So you can be sure that if you choose a stove that is defra exempt, you will get the most clean and most efficient wood stove available.

When you look for a stove that burns wood that is DEFRA approved low emission stoves exempt or is marked with SE after its name, you will often find that the manufacturer has done things such as made sure there are enough air intakes on the front of the stove to allow for full combustion of the fuel and that the chimney outlet size is adequate to stop the build-up of soot. This is important as it will ensure that the smoke from the stove does not escape through the chimney into your home.

A Defra-approved stove allows you to install a 5" liner that is in compliance with UK building regulations. Non-Defra-approved stoves require an 6" liner.

Stovax is proud to offer a selection of Defra-approved fireplaces and stoves as well as our Ecodesign Ready stoves which have been designed with future standards for air quality in mind. Many of our Defra-approved stoves can also be used in combination with a smoke control system for homes located in Smoke Control Areas. They can be used to burn a variety smokeless fuels, including fire logs.

Approved for Smokeless Fuels

A Best DEFRA Stoves approved wood burning stove, also referred to as a DEFRA lawful stoves exempt stove, is the only type of stove you can install in a smoke control area in the event that you intend to use it to burn solid fuel (wood or wood that is well-seasoned). The government tests them to ensure they don't emit excessive smoke and are only suitable for use with 'authorized' fuels.

The difference between a DEFRA-approved stove and one that is not approved is usually minimal. Modern stoves can be transformed into DEFRA certified by an approved kit supplied by the manufacturer and installed in just a few minutes. This is due to the fact that 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 kept the stove must be able limit its combustion air so that it doesn't rob itself of oxygen, which could cause it smoulder. This is achieved through a mechanism within the stove which opens the air into the firebox during the process of combustion, which is often hidden inside the stove and beneath the base of the firebox.

Stove World UK offers a large selection of DEFRA approved stoves from the top manufacturers in the country, including Stovax, Arada and Burley. These are available in an enormous variety of styles and finishes. Choose from a wide range of Ecodesign stoves, which are designed to meet future needs for air quality.

Smoke Control Areas are usually situated around cities and towns with large populations and you can visit the website of your local authority to determine if the area you live in is classified as one. It is important to purchase a DEFRA-approved stove if you reside in a smoke-controlled zone. This will help you avoid a fine from the local authority. If you use coal or other solid fuels in a non approved stove, you may be fined up PS300.

Approved for Wood

A DEFRA approved stove, also known as a smoke-free wood stove is a device that can be used to burn wood in the Smoke Control Area. The stove will be stamped with the Defra approved logo or have an 'SE' in its name meaning it can be used in smoke controlled areas, when burning approved fuels which is in this case wood.

The older wood stoves can release large amounts of particulate matter into the atmosphere that can trigger or contribute to respiratory problems, asthma attacks, heart problems 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 an "EPA 2020 Certified" label, which indicates that the stove meets the emissions limits that are now in place.

If you purchase an appliance that isn't EPA certified and you reside in a zone of smoke control you must 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 that has a wood stove that is not certified could be liable for clean air tax credits as well as fines.

Modern stoves can be modified to be Defra approved by an adjustment kit or kit that the installer offers. This is because the primary difference between a DEFRA approved stove and those that aren't is the combustion air management system that regulates how much air flows through the stove in normal operation. The change is usually made on the underside of the firebox, or in the base.

Some manufacturers produce two versions of their wood stoves, one that is DEFRA recommended stoves approved and the other that is not. The reason is that the cost of putting a wood stove through the rigorous Defra testing is expensive. To offset the costs, they sell the non-approved version for a lower price. The DEFRA approved version will have been subjected to the modification of combustion air performed as part of the testing process.

Gas Approved

Prior to the Clean Air Acts, residential homes could burn any fuel they wanted to, resulting in large amounts of smoke emissions. This could cause health problems. To combat this, Defra established Smoke Control Areas. This meant that homes could not produce any smoke except if their wood burners and multifuel stoves were Defra-approved to allow burning only authorised materials such as manufactured smokeless coke and anthracite.

Defra approved SE (Smoke-Exempt) Stoves have been put through rigorous tests to prove they can safely burn approved fuels within a Smoke Control Zone. The latest technology for combustion 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 as well as manufactured smokeless coals.

The Stove Yard has a vast selection of stoves that are Defra approved that are perfect for those who reside in a smoke-free area and need a new fireplace that burns wood. We have an extensive collection of traditional, contemporary and inset Defra approved stoves from industry-leading manufacturers like Stovax, Arada, Burley and AGA.

The good thing is that there is no difference in appearance between a stove that is Defra-approved and a stove that is not approved. However the models that are Defra-approved come with a few extra features designed to ensure they burn cleaner. In general, they have a different design of grate and air vents, and on the gas models they might also have a different sized flue outlet.

Another benefit of an Defra Approved stove is that they'll typically come with five" (125mm) flue outlet, which means you can choose a narrower stainless steel twin wall chimney liner that is cheaper than the standard 6" (150mm) liner. 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 re-lining a larger diameter chimney liner.