What is a Defra Approved Wood Burning Stove?
If you reside in an area where smoking is controlled, it's essential to purchase a DEFRA exempt stove. A
defra stoves Features exempt (or SE) stove allows you to legally burn wood in a smoke-controlled space.
The stoves are independently tested for the lowest emission possible. Stoves that are certified are often branded with the 'Defra-approved' logo on their name or specification.
Approved for Smoke Controlled Areas
Many people believe that living in a smoke control area means they can't use a fireplace with wood. This isn't the case. The majority of towns and cities are in the smoke control zone, but that doesn't mean you can't use a wooden burning stove. It's just that they need to 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 in regards to the emissions it emits when burning authorised materials. It is therefore able to be used legally in smoke-control zones.
The Defra logo is widely used in the industry and many of the stoves that have been approved bear SE after their names which means they are smoke-free. To be SE approved the stove must meet strict emission standards. This means that you can rest assured that you are buying the best wood stove that is available.
If you are looking for a wood-burning stove which is Defra-exempt or has SE after its title You will notice that the manufacturer may have done things like make sure that there are enough air intakes on the front of the stove to allow full combustion of fuel and that the size of the chimney outlet is adequate to prevent the accumulation of soot. This is important as it ensures that smoke from the wood burning stove does not escape through the chimney into your home.
A stove that is Defra-approved allows you to install a 5" liner that is compliant with UK building regulations. Non-Defra-approved stoves require an 6" liner.
Stovax is proud to offer a variety of Defra-approved fireplaces and stoves as well as our Ecodesign Ready stoves which have been designed with future standards for air quality in mind. Many of our Defra-approved stoves are also able to be used in conjunction 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
The only stove that can be put in within a smoke-control zone is a DEFRA approved wood burner, which is also known by the name DEFRA exempt. This stove should be used with a solid fuel, which is wood, preferably well-seasoned. The government tests these stoves to ensure that they don't emit excessive smoke and can only be used with 'authorized' fuels.
The difference between a DEFRA-approved stove and one that isn't approved is usually minimal. With a kit provided by the manufacturer, many modern stoves can be easily converted to DEFRA certified in a matter of only a few minutes. This is because a Defra approved stove must undergo rigorous testing and has to be limited on how much smoke it can produce.
To ensure that the restrictions are maintained the stove must be able to limit the amount of combustion air to ensure that it doesn't deprive itself of oxygen, which could cause it to smolder. This is achieved by the mechanism that allows the air in the firebox when it's burning. It is typically hidden within the stove or beneath 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 including Stovax Arada and Burley. They are available in a wide variety of styles and designs. Pick from a variety of Ecodesign stoves, which are designed to meet the upcoming requirements for air quality.
Smoke Control Areas are typically situated around large cities and towns and
DEFRA stoves features you can visit your local authority's website to determine if the area you live in is classed as such. It is important to purchase an approved DEFRA-approved stove if reside in a smoke-controlled zone. This will allow you to avoid being fined by the local authority. This is because if you use 'unauthorised fuel on a non-approved stove, for example coal or other solid fuels that could result in fines of 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 symbol or 'SE' front of its name, which means it is only permitted to be used in smoke-controlled areas when you burn approved fuels. In this case wood.
The older wood stoves can release a lot of particles into the air which can trigger or contribute to respiratory problems, asthma attacks, heart issues and premature death. It is therefore important to buy a wood stove that meets strict emission standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency. 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 live in a zone of smoke control you must get it recertified before you can use it. It's costly and time-consuming, but the law requires it. In addition homeowners who sell their home with a wood stove that isn't certified could be subject to clean air tax credits as well as fines.
Modern stoves can be altered to be Defra approved using a kit or an adjustment that the installer provides. This is because the main difference between a DEFRA approved stove and
DEFRA Stoves Features 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.
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 high. To reduce these costs, they sell the non approved version at a cheaper price. The DEFRA-approved version has been through the modification to the combustion air as part of the test process.
Approved for Gas
Before the Clean Air Acts were brought in homes for residential use, homeowners could burn any type of fuel they wanted, which led to large amounts of smoke emissions as well as health issues. To combat this Defra 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 endorsed stoves certified to burn only approved fuels like manufactured smokeless coals and anthracite.
Defra approved SE (Smoke-Exempt) Stoves have been put through rigorous tests to prove that they can burn authorised fuels cleanly in a Smoke Control Zone. They achieve this by utilising the most advanced combustion technology that continuously delivers a minimum amount of secondary air to the firebox, so that even when the stove is being used with approved fuels like anthracite or manufactured smokeless coals it will still be able to meet Defra's regulations for Smoke Control Areas.
If you're in the market for a new wood burning stove and are in Smoke Control Area then we recommend that you look at the selection of Defra approved stoves that can be found here at The Stove Yard. We have a broad selection of Defra-approved stoves, including traditional models, modern and inset from top brands like Stovax. Arada, Burley and AGA.
The good thing is that there is no distinction in appearance between a Defra-approved woodburning stove and a stove that is not approved. However, the Defra-approved models do have a few features designed to ensure they burn cleaner.