What is a Defra Approved Wood Burning Stove?
If you reside in a smoke-free zone then it is crucial to purchase a DEFRA exempt stove. A DEFRA exempt (or SE) stove permits you to legally burn wood in a smoke-controlled zone.
The stoves are tested independently to ensure the lowest possible emissions. Stoves that are certified will often display 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 have a stove that burns wood 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 have an oven, it simply means that you must make use of an exempt device and only burn fuels that are approved (usually briquettes) in your stove. The Defra approved stove is a type of wood-burning stove that has been tested to ensure it meets certain standards in relation to the emissions it releases when burning fuels that are approved and consequently, it is able to be used legally in smoke control Area.
The Defra logo is widely adopted in the industry and many of the stoves that are approved have SE after their names, meaning they are smoke-free. To be able to be SE approved, it must satisfy strict criteria in regards to its emissions So you can be assured that when you purchase an exempt defra stove, you will receive the cleanest and best burning wood stove on the market.
If you're looking for a wood-burning stove which is Defra-exempt, or has SE after its name You will see that the manufacturer has done things like ensure that there are enough air intakes on the front of stove to allow for full combustion of fuel, and that the size of the chimney outlet is adequate to prevent accumulation of soot. This is important because it ensures that smoke from the wood stove is not able to escape through the chimney into your home.
Another benefit of an Defra approved stove is that it typically allows you to install it with 5" chimney liner, which is in compliance with UK building regulations, whilst stoves that are not Defra approved will need to be fitted with a larger 6" liner.
Stovax is proud to offer a selection of
DEFRA endorsed stoves-approved fireplaces and stoves, as well as our Ecodesign Ready stoves which have been designed keeping future air quality standards at heart. Many of our stoves that are Defra-approved are also able to be used in conjunction with a smoke-control system for homes 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 that you can put in a smoke-control area in the event that you intend to use it for solid fuel (wood or wood that is well-seasoned). They are tested by the government to ensure that they don't produce excessive levels of smoke and can be used with 'authorised fuels (coal only).
The difference between a DEFRA-approved stove and one that is not approved is usually quite small. With a kit provided by the manufacturer, many modern stoves can be easily made DEFRA certified in a matter of minutes. This is due to the fact that Defra approved appliances must pass extremely stringent tests and are restricted in the amount of smoke they can produce.
To ensure that these restrictions remain in place during the testing process, the stove will have to be able to limit the combustion air supply so that it does not exhaust itself of oxygen, which may cause it to smoulder. This is achieved by a mechanism in the stove that opens the air into the firebox during combustion which is usually hidden within the stove, and under the base of the fire box.
Stove World UK has a large selection of DEFRA approved stoves,
defra stoves reviews from some of the most reputable manufacturers in the world, including Stovax Arada and Burley. They 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 future air quality requirements.
Smoke Control Areas are usually located in cities and towns with large populations and you can check the official website of your local authority to determine if the area you live in is classified as one. If you reside in a smoke controlled area it is essential to purchase a DEFRA approved stove for your home to avoid being fined by your local authority. This is because if you burn unauthorised' fuel in an unapproved stove, for example coal or any other solid fuels, you could be fined up to PS300.
Approved for Wood
A DEFRA approved wood stove, also called a smoke exempt stove, is a device that can be used in a Smoke Control Area when burning wood. The stove will bear the Defra approved logo or have 'SE' after its name which means that it can be used in smoke controlled areas that burn approved fuels which is in this case wood.
Many older wood stoves emit large amounts of particulate matter. These can lead to or worsen asthma attacks, respiratory problems and heart issues. It is therefore essential to purchase a stove that meets strict emission standards set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency. Look for a "EPA 2020 Certified" label, which means that the stove is in compliance with the emission limits that are currently in place.
If you buy a stove that is not EPA-certified, and you reside in a smoking zone it is necessary to get it recertified before you can use the stove. This can be expensive and time-consuming, but it is legally required. Homeowners who sell a house with wood stoves that are not certified may be liable for tax credits or fines that relate to clean air.
Modern stoves can be altered to be Defra approved with a kit or an adjustment provided by the installer. The main difference between DEFRA approved stoves and those that aren't combustion air control system that controls the quantity of air that goes through the stove in normal operation. Modifications are usually made to the base or underside of a stove's firebox.
Some manufacturers produce two different versions of a wood stove. One is Defra-approved and the other is not. This is due to the process of putting a stove through the stringent Defra tests is expensive, so to help recoup some of the cost, they'll offer the non-approved version at a lower cost. The DEFRA-approved version will have been subjected to the modification of the combustion air as part of the testing process.
Approved Gas
Before the Clean Air Acts were brought in residential homes could burn any kind of fuel they liked which resulted in large amounts of smoke emissions as well as health issues. To stop this, Defra established Smoke Control Areas. This meant that residential homes could not produce any smoke unless their wood burners and multifuel stoves were Defra-approved to allow burning only approved materials like manufactured smokeless coke and anthracite.
Defra approved stoves, also known as SE (Smoke Exempt) Stoves, have gone through rigorous testing to demonstrate that they are able to burn cleanly authorised fuels within a Smoke Control Zone. They achieve this by utilising the latest technology for combustion that continually delivers a minimum amount of secondary air to the combustion chamber, so that even if the stove is used with approved fuels like anthracite or manufactured smokeless coals it can still comply with Defra's rules for Smoke Control Areas.
The Stove Yard has a vast selection of stoves that are
Defra Stoves Reviews approved that are perfect for those who reside in a smoke-free area and require a new wood burning fireplace. We offer a variety of stoves that are Defra-approved, including traditional models, modern and inset from top brands like Stovax.
