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

If you reside in an area where smoke is controlled, it's important to buy a DEFRA exempt stove. A DEFRA exempt stove (or SE) allows you to legally burn wood in a smoke controlled area.

The stoves are independently tested for the lowest emissions possible. Stoves that are certified as such typically carry the 'Defra approved' logo in their name or on their specifications.

Approved for Smoke Controlled Areas

Many people believe that living in a smoke-free area means they can't use a wood burning fireplace. It's not the case. In reality, a majority of cities and towns are located in a smoke controlled zone but this doesn't mean you cannot have stoves, it just implies that you have to make use of an exempt device and only burn fuels that are approved (usually Briquettes) in your stove. The Defra approved stove is a kind of wood-burning stove that has been tested to ensure that it meets certain standards regarding the emissions it emits when burning authorised fuels, and consequently, it is able to be legally used in smoke control Area.

The Defra Logo is widely used in the industry, and a lot of stoves feature the SE after their names to indicate that they are smoke-free. To be able to be SE approved, it must meet strict criteria in regards to its emissions So you can be sure that when you purchase a stove that is defra exempt, you will receive the cleanest and best burning wood stove on the market.

When you look for a stove that burns wood that is DEFRA compliant stoves list exempt or is marked with SE after its name, you will often find that the manufacturer has done things like making sure there are enough air intakes on the front of the stove to permit full combustion of the fuel, and that the chimney outlet size is sufficient to prevent the build-up of soot. This is important because it ensures that smoke from the wood stove is not able to escape through the chimney and 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 keeping future air quality standards at heart. Many of our Defra-approved stoves can also be used combination with a smoke control system for properties that are located in Smoke Control Areas. They can be used to burn a variety in smokeless fuels, including fire logs.

Approved for Smokeless fuels

A DEFRA approved wood burning stove, also referred to as a DEFRA exempt stove, is the only type of stove you can install in a smoke control zone in the event that you intend to make use of it for solid multi fuel stove defra approved (wood, preferably well seasoned). The government tests them to ensure they don't release excessive smoke and are only suitable for use with approved fuels.

The difference between a DEFRA-approved kitchen and one that isn't approved is usually very small. Many modern stoves can easily be transformed into DEFRA approved high-quality stoves conforming with an approved kit supplied by the manufacturer and fitted in just a few minutes. This is due to the fact that Defra approved appliances must pass extremely rigorous 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 will have to be able to limit its combustion air supply so that it does not exhaust itself of oxygen, which can cause it to smoulder. This is accomplished through the mechanism that allows an air pocket in the firebox when it is burning. It is usually hidden inside the stove or underneath the base of its firebox.

Stove World UK offers a wide range of DEFRA approved stoves from the top 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 Areas are primarily situated around cities and towns with large populations and you can check the official website of your local authority to determine if the area you live in is classified as one. It is crucial to buy an approved DEFRA-approved stove if reside in a zone that is smoke-controlled. This will allow you to avoid a fine from the local authority. This is because if you use 'unauthorised fuel on a non-approved stove, such as coal or any other solid fuels and you are fined up to PS300.

Approved for wood

A DEFRA approved wood stove also called a smoke-free stove, is a device that can be used in a Smoke Control Area when burning wood. The stove will bear the Defra approved logo or have the word "SE" after its name, which means it can be used in smoke-controlled areas, when burning approved fuels only, in this case wood.

The older wood stoves can release a lot of particulate matter into the atmosphere which can trigger or contribute to respiratory issues, asthma attacks, heart issues and premature death. This is why it is important to purchase an updated wood stove that meets the strict emission standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Look for an "EPA 2020 Certified" label, which means that the stove has met the emissions limits that are currently in place.

If you purchase an appliance that isn't EPA certified and you live in a zone of smoke control, you will need to be able to get it certified before you can use it. It can be costly and time-consuming, but it is required by law. Homeowners who sell a home with a wood stove that is not certified could be subject to tax credits or fines that relate to clean air.

Most modern stoves can be modified to become Defra approved using an adjustment kit or kit that the installer offers. The primary difference between DEFRA approved stoves and ones that aren't is the combustion air control system that regulates the amount of air that passes through the stove operating normally. The modification will usually be placed on the underside of the firebox, or in the base.

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

Approved for Gas

Prior to the Clean Air Acts, residential homes could use any fuel they wanted, resulting in large amounts of smoke emissions. This could cause health problems. To combat this DEFRA compliant stoves UK created Smoke Control Areas which meant that residential homes could not emit any smoke from their multifuel stoves or wood burners unless the appliance was Defra approved to burn only approved fuels like manufactured smokeless coals and anthracite.

Defra approved SE (Smoke-Exempt) Stoves have been put through rigorous testing to prove that they can efficiently burn fuels that are approved in a Smoke Control Zone. They do this by using the latest technology for combustion that continuously delivers a minimum amount of secondary air to the firebox, so that even if the stove is operating with fuels that are authorised, such as anthracite or manufactured smokeless coals it will still be able to comply with Defra's rules for Smoke Control Areas.

The Stove Yard has a large selection of Defra-approved stoves which are perfect for those who reside in a smoke-free area and need a new wood-burning fireplace. We have a wide range of Defra-approved stoves. These include traditional modern, contemporary and inset models that are made by top manufacturers such as Stovax. Arada, Burley and AGA.

The good news is that there is no visual difference 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 make them burn cleaner. They will usually have an unintentionally different grate as well as air vents, and on gas versions they may have a slightly larger flue outlet.

Another benefit of the Defra Approved stove is that they will almost always come with five" (125mm) flue outlet which means that you can use a smaller stainless steel twin wall chimney liner that is less expensive than a standard 6" (150mm) liner. This is a great option when you install an approved wood burning stove from DEFRA permitted stoves into an old or non-standard chimney stack. It saves money on replacing a bigger diameter chimney liner.