What is a Defra Approved Wood Burning Stove?

If you live in an area where smoke is controlled, it's important to purchase a DEFRA-exempt stove. A DEFRA stoves benefits exempt stove (or SE) permits you to legally burn wood in a smoke controlled area.

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

Approved for Smoke Controlled Areas

Many people believe that living in a smoke control zone means they cannot use a fireplace with wood. It's not the case. Most cities and large towns are in the smoke control zone, however 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 rigorously tested to ensure that it meets certain standards in terms of the emissions it generates when burning authorised materials. It is therefore able to be legally used in areas of smoke control.

The Defra logo is widely used by the industry and a large number of the stoves approved have SE after their name which means 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 sure that when you purchase a stove that is defra exempt, you will get the most clean and best burning wood stove on the market.

If you search for a wood burning stove that is Defra exempt or is marked with SE after its name, you'll usually discover that the manufacturer has carried out things like making sure there are enough air inlets on the front of the stove to permit full combustion of the fuel, and that the chimney outlet is large enough to prevent the build-up of soot. This is crucial because 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 generally permits you to use it with five" chimney liner, which complies with UK building regulations. However, stoves that aren't Defra-approved will have to be fitted with a bigger 6" liner.

Stovax is proud to offer a variety of Defra-approved fireplaces and stoves and Ecodesign Ready stoves which have been designed keeping future air quality standards at heart. A large portion of our approved stoves are also able to be used in conjunction 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 used in a smoke-control area is one that is a DEFRA approved wood burner, also referred to by the name DEFRA exempt. This stove must be used for solid fuel, which is wood, preferably well-seasoned. The government tests these stoves to ensure that they don't emit excessive smoke and that they can be used only with fuels that are 'authorized.

The distinction between a stove that is DEFRA approved and one that isn't approved is usually very small. Many modern stoves can easily be made DEFRA certified by the kit supplied by the manufacturer and installed within a matter of minutes. This is due to the fact that a Defra approved stove has to undergo very rigorous tests and is limited in the amount of smoke it can generate.

To ensure that the restrictions are not violated the stove has to be able limit its combustion air so that it doesn't deprive itself of oxygen, which could cause it to smolder. This is accomplished by an opening mechanism that lets a small amount air into the firebox when it's burning. It is usually concealed within the stove or beneath the base of its firebox.

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

Smoke Control Zones are mostly in large towns and cities. You can visit the website of your local authority to see whether you are in one of these. If you live in a smoke controlled area it is crucial to purchase an DEFRA approved stove for your home to avoid being fined by the local authority. If you use coal or any other solid fuels using a non approved stove, you may be fined up PS300.

Approved for Wood

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

The older wood stoves can release large amounts of particles into the air that can trigger or contribute to respiratory problems asthma attacks, heart issues and premature death. This is why it's essential to buy a new wood stove that is compliant with the strict emission standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Look for the "EPA 2020 Certified Label" which means that the stove is in compliance with the emission limits currently in place.

If you purchase a stove that is not EPA certified and you live in a smoke-free zone it is necessary to be able to get it certified before you can use it. It's costly and time-consuming, but the law requires it. In addition homeowners who sell a house that has a wood stove that is not certified may be liable for clean air tax credits and fines.

With a kit, or an adjustment provided by the installer, a majority of modern stoves can be made Defra-approved. This is because the main difference between the 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 modifications are usually located on the bottom of the firebox, or in the base.

Certain manufacturers will make two versions of their wood stoves, one that is Defra approved and the other that is not. This is because the process of placing a stove through strict Defra tests can be very costly and to offset some of the costs, they will sell the non-approved model at 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

Before the Clean Air Acts were brought in homes for residential use, homeowners could burn any kind of fuel they wanted, which led to large amounts of smoke emissions as well as health issues. To stop this, DEFRA stoves specifications established Smoke Control Areas. This means that residential homes can not produce any smoke in the event that their wood burners or multifuel stoves were Defra-approved for burning only authorised materials like manufactured smokeless coke and anthracite.

Defra approved stoves, also referred to as SE (Smoke Exempt) Stoves, have been subjected to rigorous tests to prove that they can cleanly burn authorised fuels within a Smoke Control Zone. They accomplish this by using the latest combustion technology which continuously delivers a minimum amount of secondary air to the combustion chamber, to ensure that even if the stove is being used with fuels that are authorised, such as anthracite or manufactured smokeless coals, it will still be able to comply with the regulations of Defra for Smoke Control Areas.

The Stove Yard has a vast selection of stoves that are Defra approved that are perfect for those who reside in a smoke control zone and DEFRA stoves benefits require a brand new wood-burning fireplace. We have a broad selection of stoves that are Defra-approved, including traditional modern, contemporary and inset models that are made by top manufacturers such as Stovax. Arada, Burley and AGA.

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

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