What is a Defra Approved Wood Burning Stove?

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

They are independently tested to ensure the lowest possible emissions. Stoves that are certified are often branded with the 'Defra-approved logo on their specifications or name.

Approved for Smoke Controlled Areas

Many people believe that living in a smoke control zone means that they aren't able to use a wood burning fireplace. This is not true. Most cities and large towns fall under a smoke control zone, however, that doesn't mean that they aren't able to use a wood burning stove. It's just that they need to burn authorised fuels in their stove (usually briquettes). The Defra-approved stove is a wood-burning stove that has been thoroughly tested to ensure that it meets certain standards in terms of the emissions it generates when burning authorised fuels. It can therefore be legally used in smoke-control zones.

The Defra logo is widely adopted by the industry and a large number of the stoves that have been approved have SE after their name which means they are smoke exempt. To be SE approved, a stove must meet strict emission standards. This means that you can be sure that you are buying the best wood stove that is available.

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

Another benefit of the DEFRA approved British stoves approved stove is that it typically permits you to use it with five" chimney liner, which is in compliance with the UK building regulations, whilst non-Defra approved stoves will need to be fitted with a bigger 6" liner.

At Stovax we are pleased to offer a selection of Defra approved stoves and fires. We also have our Ecodesign Ready stoves that have been created with future air quality standards in mind. Many of our stoves that are Defra-approved are also able to be used in combination with a smoke control system for properties located in Smoke Control Zones. They can be used to burn a variety in smokeless fuels, including fire logs.

Approved for Smokeless Fuels

The only stove that can be put in within a smoke-control zone is one that is a DEFRA approved wood burner, which is also known as DEFRA exempt. The stove has to be used for solid fuel, which is wood, preferably well-seasoned. The government tests them to ensure they don't release excessive smoke and that they are only suitable for use with fuels that are 'authorized.

The difference between the difference between a DEFRA approved stove and a non-approved one typically is very small. With a kit provided by the manufacturer, many modern stoves can be easily converted to DEFRA certified in a matter of just a few minutes. This is due to the fact that Defra approved appliances must pass extremely stringent tests and have a limit on the amount of smoke they are able to produce.

To ensure that these restrictions remain in place during the testing process, the stove needs to be able to limit the combustion air supply so that it does not starve itself of oxygen, which could cause it to smolder. This is achieved through a mechanism within the stove that allows an air pocket into the firebox during combustion, which is often hidden inside the stove and beneath the base of the firebox.

Stove World UK has a wide range of DEFRA approved stoves, made by some of the best manufacturers in the world such as Stovax Arada and Burley. These are available in an enormous range of styles and finishes. You can also choose from a wide range of Ecodesign ready stoves that have been specifically designed to meet future requirements for air quality.

Smoke Control Areas are typically located in large towns and city centres and you can look up your local authority's website to determine if the area you live in is classified as one. It is essential to buy an approved DEFRA-approved stove if reside in a smoke-controlled zone. This will help you avoid being fined by your local authority. This is because if you use 'unauthorised fuel on an unapproved stove, like coal or any other solid fuels, you could be fined up to PS300.

Approved for wood

A DEFRA approved wood stove, also called a smoke-free stove, is an appliance that can be used in a Smoke Control Area when burning wood. The stove will bear the Defra approved symbol or 'SE' the title that means it can only be used in smoke-controlled areas when you burn approved fuels. In this case wood is the fuel.

A lot of older wood stoves release a lot of particles into the air which can trigger or contribute to respiratory problems asthma attacks, heart problems and premature death. It is therefore important to choose a wood stove that is compliant with the strict emission standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency. Look for the "EPA 2020 Certified Label" which means that the wood stove meets the emission limits that are currently in place.

If you purchase an appliance that isn't EPA certified and you live in a smoke-free zone you must get it recertified before you can use it. This can be expensive and time-consuming, but it is legally required. Homeowners who sell a house with wood stove that is not certified may also be subject to tax credits or fines that relate to pollution-free air.

Most modern stoves can be modified to become Defra approved using an adjustment kit or a kit that the installer offers. The primary difference between DEFRA approved stoves and ones that aren't is the combustion air control system, which controls the amount of air that flows through the stove when it's operating normally. The modifications are usually made on the underside of the firebox, or in the base.

There are some manufacturers who produce two types of wood stove. One is DEFRA List stoves-approved, and the other not. The reason for this is that the cost of putting a stove through the rigorous Defra testing is costly. To offset these costs, they will sell the non-approved version for a lower price. The DEFRA-approved model will have been through the modification to the combustion air as part of the testing process.

Gas Approved

Before the Clean Air Acts were brought into effect, residential homes could use any type of fuel they wanted which resulted in large quantities of smoke emissions and health issues. To prevent this Defra established Smoke Control Areas which meant that residential homes couldn't produce any smoke from their multifuel stoves or wood burners unless the appliance was Defra certified to burn only authorised fuels such as manufactured smokeless coals 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 most modern combustion technology allows an unabated minimum of secondary air into the firebox. This lets the stove comply with Defra regulations 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 that are perfect for those who live in a smoke control zone and require a brand new wood burning fireplace. We have a broad 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's not really a distinction in appearance between a Defra approved woodburning stove and one which isn't, however the Defra approved models have various features that are designed to ensure they burn more efficiently. In general, they have a different grate and air vents and on the gas versions they might also have an alternative size flue outlet.

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