What is a Defra Approved Wood Burning Stove?

If you live in a region where smoke is controlled, it's crucial to purchase a DEFRA-exempt stove. A 5Kw Defra Multifuel Stove exempt (or SE) stove permits you to burn wood legally in a smoke-controlled space.

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

Approved for Smoke Controlled Areas

Many people think that living in a Smoke Control Area means you can't have a stove that burns wood and this is not true. 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 means you need to make use of an exempt appliance 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 it meets certain criteria in relation to the emissions that it produces when burning authorised fuels, and consequently, it is able to be legally used in the Smoke Control Area.

The Defra Logo is widely used in the industry, and a lot of stoves feature the SE after their names to signify that they are smoke-free. To be SE approved, a stove must meet strict emission standards. This means that you can be confident you're buying the best wood stove that is available.

If you're looking for a stove that burns wood that is Defra-exempt or has SE after its name, you will find that the manufacturer may have taken measures to ensure that there are enough air intakes in the front of stove to allow for full combustion of fuel and that the size of the chimney outlet is sufficient to prevent the accumulation of soot. This is crucial as it ensures that the smoke from the stove doesn't escape the chimney into your home.

Another benefit of an Defra approved stove is that it typically permits you to use it with a 5" chimney liner, which will comply with the UK building regulations, whilst non-Defra approved stoves will need to be fitted with a larger 6" liner.

Stovax is proud to offer a variety of DEFRA certified stoves-approved stoves and fireplaces and Ecodesign Ready stoves which have been designed keeping future air quality standards at heart. Many of our stoves that are Defra-approved can also be used in combination with a smoke control system for properties located in Smoke Control Zones. They can be used to burn a variety of 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 when you plan to make use of it for solid fuel (wood and preferably well-seasoned). They are tested by the government to ensure that they don't create excessive amounts of smoke and can be used with 'authorised' fuels (coal only).

The difference between a DEFRA approved stove and a non-approved one is usually very little. Modern stoves can be made DEFRA certified by an approved kit supplied by the manufacturer and fitted within a matter of minutes. This is because a Defra approved stove has to undergo rigorous testing and has to be limited on how much smoke it can generate.

To ensure that the restrictions are kept the stove has to be able limit its combustion air so that it doesn't starve itself of oxygen which can cause it to smolder. This is accomplished by the mechanism that allows a small amount air into the firebox while it is burning. It is typically hidden within the stove or beneath the base of its fire box.

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

Smoke Control Areas are usually situated around large cities and towns and you can check the official website of your local authority to determine if the area you live in is classed as such. It is important to purchase a DEFRA approved high-quality stoves-approved stove if you reside in a smoke-controlled zone. This will allow you to avoid being fined by your local authority. This is because if you burn unauthorised fuel in a non-approved stove, like coal or any other solid fuels that could result in fines of up to PS300.

Approved for wood

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

Many older wood stoves emit lots of particulate matter into the air that can trigger or contribute to respiratory issues, asthma attacks, heart problems and premature death. It is therefore important to choose a wood stove that is in compliance with strict emission standards as set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Look for an "EPA 2020 Certified" label, which signifies that the stove meets the emissions limits currently in place.

If you purchase a stove 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, but it is required by law. In addition, homeowners who sell a house that has a wood stove that is not certified could be liable for clean air tax credits and fines.

Modern stoves can be altered to be Defra approved by an adjustment kit or kit provided by the installer. This is due to the primary difference between a DEFRA approved stove and one that are not, is the combustion air management system that regulates how much air flows through the stove during normal operation. Modifications are usually applied to the base or side of the firebox that is underneath the stove.

There are some manufacturers who produce two different versions of a wood stove. One is Defra-approved and the other is not. The reason is that the cost of putting a wood stove through the rigorous Defra testing is expensive. To reduce these costs, they sell the non approved version at a lower cost. The DEFRA approved version will have had the combustion air modification performed as part of the testing procedure.

Approved for Gas

Prior to the Clean Air Acts, residential homes were able to burn any fuel they wanted to, which resulted in excessive smoke emissions. This caused health problems. To combat this Defra created Smoke Control Areas which meant that residential homes couldn't produce any smoke from their wood burners or multifuel stoves 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 demonstrate that they can efficiently burn fuels that are approved within a Smoke Control Area. The latest combustion technology delivers an indefinite amount of secondary air into the firebox. This allows the stove to meet Defra standards for Smoke Control Areas even when it is used with approved fuels such as anthracite or manufactured smokeless coals.

The Stove Yard has a vast selection of stoves that are Defra approved that are ideal for those who live in a smoke control zone and 5kw defra multifuel stove require a brand new wood-burning fireplace. We have an extensive collection of traditional, contemporary and inset Defra approved stoves from industry-leading manufacturers such as Stovax, Arada, Burley and AGA.

The good thing is that there is no difference in appearance between a stove that is Defra-approved and one that isn't. However the stoves that are approved by Defra come with a few extra features that are designed to help them burn more efficiently. They will usually have a slightly different grate and air vents, and on gas versions they might have a slightly smaller flue outlet.

Another benefit of an Defra Approved stove is that they will almost always come with five" (125mm) flue outlet. This means that you can use a narrower stainless steel twin wall flexible chimney liner which is less expensive than the standard 6" (150mm) liner. This is beneficial when putting a Defra-approved wood burning stove into an old or nonstandard chimney stack. It can save money on the cost of relining a chimney with a larger diameter liner.