What is a Defra Approved Wood Burning Stove?

If you live in a region where smoke 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 space.

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

Approved for Smoke Controlled Areas

Many people think that living in a Smoke Control Area means you can't use a wood-burning stove but this isn't the case. In reality, most cities and large towns are within a smoke-free zone, however this doesn't mean that you cannot use a stove, it just implies that you have to make use of an exempt appliance and only burn authorised fuels (usually Briquettes) in your stove. The stove that is Defra-approved is a wood-burning stove that has been thoroughly tested to ensure that it meets certain criteria in terms of the emissions it generates when burning authorised fuels. It is therefore able to be legally used in a smoke control area.

The Defra Logo is widely used in the industry, and a lot of stoves are marked with the SE after their names to indicate that they are smoke-free. To be SE approved the stove must satisfy strict emission standards. This means that you can rest assured that you are purchasing the top wood stove on the market.

If you are searching for a wood-burning stove which is Defra-exempt or that has SE after its name, you will find that the manufacturer may have taken measures to make sure that there are enough air intakes on the front of stove to ensure that there is a full combustion of fuel and that the size of the chimney outlet is sufficient to prevent accumulation of soot. This is crucial because it ensures that smoke from the wood burning stove is not able to escape through the chimney into your home.

Another benefit of the Defra approved stove is that it generally allows you to fit it with five" chimney liner, which will comply with UK building regulations. However, non-Defra approved stoves will need to be fitted with a larger 6" liner.

At Stovax we are proud to offer a selection of Defra approved stoves and fires, as well as our Ecodesign Ready stoves that have been developed with the future standards of air quality in mind. Many of our stoves that are Defra-approved can also be used combination with a smoke control system for properties that are located in Smoke Control Zones. They can be used to burn a variety 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 area in the event that you intend to use it for solid fuel (wood and preferably well-seasoned). The government tests them to ensure they don't emit excessive smoke and can be used only with 'authorized' fuels.

The difference between a DEFRA-approved stove and one that isn't approved is usually quite small. A lot of modern stoves can be transformed into DEFRA certified by the kit supplied by the manufacturer and then fitted in a matter of minutes. This is due to the fact that a Defra approved stove must undergo very rigorous tests and must be restricted in the amount of smoke it can generate.

To ensure that the restrictions are kept the Efficient NRG Eco Design Stove - MultiFuel Fireplace for Sale must be able to limit its combustion air so that it doesn't starve itself of oxygen which can cause it to smolder. This is achieved by a mechanism inside the stove that opens the air into the firebox during combustion which is typically hidden within the stove and underneath the base of the firebox.

Stove World UK has a vast selection of DEFRA approved stoves, made by some of the most reputable manufacturers in the country, including Stovax Arada and Burley. These are available in a vast range of styles and finishes. You can also choose from an impressive variety of Ecodesign ready stoves that have been designed to meet the future requirements for air quality.

Smoke Control Zones are predominantly in towns and cities with large populations. You can go to the website of your local authority to see if you live in one of these. If you live in a smoke controlled area it is very important that you purchase an DEFRA approved stove for your home to avoid being fined by your local authority. If you use coal or other solid fuels in a non approved stove, you may be fined 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 have the Defra approved symbol or 'SE' in the front of its name, which means it is only permitted to be used in areas controlled by smoke where you can burn approved fuels. In this instance, wood.

Many older wood stoves emit lots of particulate matter into the air that can trigger or contribute to respiratory issues asthma attacks, heart issues and premature death. It is therefore important to purchase a stove that meets strict emission standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency. You should look for the "EPA 2020 Certified" label, which means that the stove has met the emission limits that are currently in place.

If you purchase a cooktop which is not EPA-certified and you reside in a smoke-free area it is necessary to get it recertified before you can use the stove. It is expensive and time-consuming, however the law requires it. In addition homeowners who sell their home with an uncertified wood stove could be subject to clean air tax credits and fines.

The majority of modern stoves can be upgraded to be Defra approved with an adjustment kit or a kit that the installer offers. The primary difference between DEFRA approved stoves and those that aren't combustion air control system, which regulates the amount of air that passes through the stove operating normally. Modifications are typically done to the base or side of the firebox that is underneath the stove.

Certain manufacturers will make two versions of their wood stoves, one that is Defra approved and the other that is not. The reason for this is that the cost of putting a wood stove through the rigorous Defra testing is high. To offset these costs, they will sell the non approved version for a lower cost. The DEFRA-approved model will have been subjected to the modification of the combustion air as part of the test process.

Gas Approved

Prior to the Clean Air Acts, efficient nrg eco design stove - Multifuel fireplace for sale residential homes could burn any fuel they wanted to, which resulted in high levels of smoke emissions. This caused health problems. To stop this, Defra created 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 fuels that were authorised, such as manufactured smokeless coals and anthracite.

Defra approved stoves, also referred to as SE (Smoke Exempt) Stoves, have gone through stringent testing to prove that they can burn cleanly authorised fuels within a Smoke Control Zone. They achieve this by utilising the latest combustion technology which continuously delivers a minimum amount of secondary air to the firebox, so that even when the stove is operating with authorised fuels such as anthracite or manufactured smokeless coals it can still meet Defra's regulations for Smoke Control Areas.

If you're looking to purchase a new wood burning stove and are in a Smoke Control Area then we would recommend that you look at the wide selection of Defra approved stoves that are available at The Stove Yard. We have a wide range of stoves that are Defra-approved, including traditional modern, contemporary and inset models, from leading manufacturers like Stovax. Arada, Burley, and AGA.

The good news is that there is no distinction in appearance between a stove that is Defra-approved and Efficient NRG Eco Design Stove - MultiFuel Fireplace for Sale a non-approved model. However, the defra exempt stoves-approved models do have a few features that are designed to help them burn cleaner. They usually have an unintentionally different grate as well as air vents, and on gas versions they may have a slightly larger flue outlet.

A Defra Approved Stove will almost always have a 5" flue outlet (125mm). This means that you can use a smaller stainless twin wall flexible liner, which is less expensive than a 6" (150mm). This is a great option when you install wood-burning stoves that are Defra-approved in an older or non-standard chimney stack. It will save you money re-lining a larger diameter chimney liner.