What is a Defra Approved Wood Burning Stove?
If you live in a smoke control area it is essential to purchase a DEFRA exempt stove. A DEFRA exempt stove (or SE) permits you to legally burn wood in a smoke controlled area.
The stoves are independently tested to ensure the lowest possible emissions. Stoves that are certified as such typically carry the 'Defra approved' logo in their names or specifications.
Approved for Smoke Controlled Areas
Many people believe that living in a smoke-free zone means that they aren't able to use a wood burning fireplace. This isn't the case. Many towns and cities are within the smoke control zone, however that doesn't mean they aren't able to use a wood burning stove. It's simply that they must burn authorised fuels in their stove (usually Briquettes). The Defra-approved stove is a wood-burning stove that has been thoroughly tested to make sure that it meets certain standards regarding the emissions it produces when burning approved materials. It can therefore be legally used in a smoke control area.
The Defra logo is widely adopted by the industry and a large number of the stoves approved bear SE after their names which means 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 are looking for a stove that burns wood that is Defra exempt or has SE after its name, you'll usually discover that the manufacturer has carried out things like making sure there enough air inlets on the front of the stove to allow full combustion of the fuel and that the chimney outlet size is sufficient to prevent the build-up of soot. This is important as it ensures that the smoke from the stove doesn't escape the chimney and enter your home.
A stove that is Defra-approved allows you to use a 5" liner that is compliant with UK building regulations. Non-Defra-approved stoves require a 6" liner.
At Stovax we are pleased to offer a variety of Defra approved stoves and fires. We also have our Ecodesign Ready stoves that have been developed with future air quality standards in mind. In fact, many of our Defra approved stoves are suitable for use with a smoke control kit for those properties that are in a Smoke Control Area and so can be used with a variety of smokeless fuels that are authorised, such as fire logs.
Approved for Smokeless Fuels
The only stove that can be used within a smoke-control zone is a DEFRA approved wood burner, also known as DEFRA exempt. The stove has to be used with solid fuel, which is wood, and preferably well-seasoned. They are inspected by the government to ensure that they don't generate excessive levels of smoke. They can be used with 'authorised fuels (coal only).
The difference between a DEFRA-approved stove and one that is not approved is usually very small. With a kit from the manufacturer, many contemporary stoves can be easily converted to DEFRA conforming in just a few only a few minutes. This is because the Defra approved stove must undergo rigorous tests and must be restricted on how much smoke it can generate.
To ensure that the restrictions are not violated the stove has to be able to limit the amount of combustion air so that it doesn't starve itself of oxygen, which could cause it smoulder. This is accomplished through an opening mechanism that lets an air pocket in the firebox when it's burning. It is usually hidden inside the stove or underneath the base of its fire box.
Stove World UK has a vast selection of DEFRA approved stoves, from some of the best brands in the country such as Stovax Arada and Burley. They are available in a wide range of styles and finishes. Choose from a wide range of Ecodesign stoves that are designed to meet the future requirements for air quality.
Smoke Control Zones are located mainly in large towns and cities. You can visit the website of your local authority to see if you live in one. It is crucial to buy a DEFRA-approved stove if you reside in a smoke-controlled zone. This will help you avoid being fined by the local authority. This is because if you use 'unauthorised fuel on an unapproved stove, like coal or any other solid fuels, you could be fined up to PS300.
Approved for Wood
A DEFRA approved stove, also referred to as a smoke exempt wood stove is an appliance that can be used to burn wood in the Smoke Control Area. DEFRA stoves comparison will be stamped with the Defra approved logo or an 'SE' in its name which means that it can be used in smoke controlled areas when burning approved fuels only which is in this case wood.
Many older wood stoves emit a lot of particles into the air which can trigger or contribute to respiratory problems, asthma attacks, heart problems and premature death. This is why it is essential to buy an updated wood stove that meets the strict emission standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Look for the "EPA 2020 Certified Label" which indicates that the wood stove meets the emission limits that are currently in place.
If you purchase an appliance that isn't EPA certified and you reside in a smoke control area it is necessary to be able to get it certified before you can use it. This can be expensive and time consuming, but it is legally required. In addition, homeowners who sell a home with an uncertified wood stove could be liable for clean air tax credits as well as fines.
The majority of modern stoves can be upgraded to become Defra approved using a kit or an adjustment that the installer offers. This is due to the primary difference between a DEFRA approved stove and one that aren't is the combustion air management system that regulates the amount of air that passes through the stove in normal operation. The modification will usually be located on the bottom of the firebox or in the base.
Certain manufacturers make two types of wood stove. One is Defra-approved, and the other is not. The reason behind this is that the cost of putting a stove through the rigorous Defra testing is high. To help recoup these costs, they sell the non approved version for a lower price. The DEFRA-approved model will have been through the modification to the combustion air as part of the testing procedure.
Approved Gas
Prior to the Clean Air Acts, residential homes could use any fuel they wanted, resulting in high levels of smoke emissions. This caused health problems. To prevent this Defra established 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 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 testing to demonstrate that they can burn cleanly authorized fuels within a Smoke Control Zone. They accomplish this by using the most advanced combustion technology that continually delivers a minimum amount of secondary air to the combustion chamber, so that even when the stove is used with fuels that are authorised, such as anthracite or manufactured smokeless coals, it will still be able to meet Defra's regulations for Smoke Control Areas.
If you're looking to purchase a brand new wood-burning stove and you live in a Smoke Control Area then we suggest that you take a look at the selection of Defra approved stoves which are available at The Stove Yard. We offer a wide collection of traditional, contemporary and inset Defra approved stoves from the most reputable manufacturers like Stovax, Arada, Burley and AGA.
The good news is that there isn't really a difference in appearance between an Defra approved woodburning stove and one that isn't. However, the Defra approved models do come with several features that are designed to ensure that they burn cleaner. They generally have a diff
