What is a Defra Approved Wood Burning Stove?
If you live in a zone of smoke control then you must buy a DEFRA exempt stove. A DEFRA exempt (or SE) stove allows you to burn wood legally in a smoke-controlled zone.
The stoves are independently tested to ensure the lowest emissions possible. Stoves that are certified as such often feature the logo ‘Defra-approved’ in their name or specification.
Approved for Smoke Controlled Areas
Many people believe that living in a Smoke Control Area means you can’t have a wood burning stove and this is not true. In reality, a majority of cities and large towns are in a smoke controlled zone however this doesn’t mean that you cannot use an oven, it simply means you need to use an exempt appliance and only burn fuels that are approved (usually Briquettes) in your stove. The Defra-approved stove is a wood-burning stove that has been thoroughly tested to ensure that it meets certain criteria in regards to the emissions it emits when burning approved materials. This means it can be used legally in smoke-control zones.
The Defra logo is widely used in the industry, and a lot of the stoves that are approved bear SE after their names, meaning they are smoke exempt. To be SE approved the stove must meet strict emission standards. This means that you can rest assured that you’re buying the best wood stove that is available.
When you look for a stove that burns wood that is Defra exempt or is marked with SE after its name, you’ll usually find that the manufacturer has taken care of things such as made sure there are enough air intakes on the front of the stove to allow for full combustion of the fuel and that the chimney outlet is large enough to prevent the build-up of soot. This is important 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 typically allows you to install it with five” chimney liner, which will comply with UK building regulations. However, stoves that aren’t DEFRA compliant stoves UK-approved will have to be fitted with a larger 6″ liner.
Stovax is proud to offer a range of Defra-approved stoves and fireplaces and Ecodesign Ready stoves which have been designed with future air quality standards at heart. A large portion of our approved stoves can also be used combination with a smoke control system for properties 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 kind of stove that you can put in a smoke control zone when you plan to use it for solid fuel (wood, preferably well seasoned). The government tests these stoves to ensure that they don’t produce excessive smoke and that they can be used only with approved fuels.
The distinction between a stove that is DEFRA approved and one that is not approved is usually quite small. With a kit from the manufacturer, a lot of modern stoves can be transformed into luxury DEFRA stoves compliant in just a few minutes. This is because the DEFRA stoves benefits approved stove must undergo very rigorous tests and has to be limited on how much smoke it is able to produce.
To ensure that the restrictions are maintained the stove must be able limit its combustion air so that it doesn’t rob itself of oxygen, which could cause it smoulder. This is accomplished by the mechanism that allows an air pocket in the firebox while it is burning. It is usually hidden within the stove or beneath the base of the firebox.
Stove World UK has a large selection of DEFRA approved stoves from some of the most reputable manufacturers in the country, including Stovax Arada and Burley. They are available in a vast variety of styles and finishes. Pick from a variety of Ecodesign stoves, which are designed to meet future needs for air quality.
Smoke Control Zones are mainly in large towns and cities. You can visit the website of your local authority to determine whether you reside in one of these. If you live in a zone that is smoke-free, it is essential that you buy a DEFRA approved stove for your home, to avoid being fined by your local authority. This is because if you burn ‘unauthorised’ fuel in a non-approved stove, like coal or other solid fuels, you could be fined up to PS300.
Approved for wood
A DEFRA approved stove, also known as a smoke exempt wood stove is an appliance which can be used to burn wood in smoke Control Area. The stove will bear the Defra approved logo or bear an ‘SE’ in its name meaning it is able to be used in smoke controlled areas when burning approved fuels which is in this case wood.
The older wood stoves produce large quantities of particulate matter. This can trigger or exacerbate asthma attacks, respiratory issues and heart issues. It is therefore essential to choose a wood stove that is compliant with the strict emission standards set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency. Look for an “EPA 2020 Certified” label, which means that the stove has met the emission limits that are now in place.
If you buy a stove that isn’t EPA-certified and you live in a smoking area you’ll have to recertify it before you can use the stove. It can be time-consuming and expensive, but the law requires it. Homeowners who sell a home with wood stove that is not certified may also be subject to tax credits or fines that relate to the clean air.
Most modern stoves can be modified to be Defra approved using an adjustment kit or kit that the installer offers. This is due to the primary difference between the DEFRA approved stove and those which aren’t, is the combustion air management system which regulates the amount of air that passes through the stove in normal operation. Modifications are typically done to the base or underside of the firebox.
Some manufacturers will produce two versions of their wood stoves one that is Defra approved and the other not. The reason is that the cost of putting a wood stove through the rigorous Defra testing is expensive. To help recoup the costs, they sell the non approved version for a lower cost. The DEFRA-approved version has been subjected to the modification of the combustion air as part of the testing procedure.
Approved Gas
Before the Clean Air Acts were brought in residential homes could burn any kind of fuel they wanted, which led to large amounts of smoke emissions as well as health problems. To prevent 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 approved clean Burning stoves approved for burning only fuels that were authorised, such as manufactured smokeless coals and anthracite.
Defra approved stoves, also referred to as SE (Smoke Exempt) Stoves, have been subjected to rigorous tests to prove that they can burn cleanly authorised fuels within a Smoke Control Zone. The latest combustion technology delivers an indefinite amount 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 as well as manufactured smokeless coals.
The Stove Yard has a wide range of Defra-approved stoves that are perfect for those who reside in a smoke control area and require a new wood burning fireplace. We offer a variety of DEFRA stoves cost-approved stoves. These include traditional modern, contemporary and inset models from top brands like Stovax. Arada, Burley and AGA.
The good news is there is no distinction in appearance between a stove approved by Defra and one that isn’t. However the stoves that are approved by premium DEFRA stoves have a few features that are designed to ensure they burn more efficiently. Generally they will have a different grate design as well as air vents. On the gas versions they may also feature a different sized flue outlet.
Another benefit of an Defra Approved stove is that they’ll typically have five” (125mm) flue outlet. This means that you can choose a narrower stainless steel twin wall flexible chimney liner, which is less expensive than the standard 6″ (150mm) liner. We’ve found this useful when a customer has an older or non-standard chimney that we are installing a Defra approved wood burning stove into and it saves the cost of re-lining the chimney stack with a wider diameter liner.