What is a Defra Approved Wood Burning Stove?

If you reside in a zone of smoke control then you must purchase a DEFRA approved eco design stoves exempt stove. A DEFRA exempt stove (or SE) allows you to legally burn wood in a smoke-controlled area.

They are independently tested to ensure the lowest emissions possible. Stoves with this certification typically carry the word 'Defra approved' in their name or specification.

Approved for Smoke Controlled Areas

Many people believe that living in a smoke-free area means they can't make use of a fireplace that burns wood. This is not true. Many towns and cities are in the smoke control zone, however that doesn't mean you can't use a wooden burning stove. It just means they must burn authorised fuels in their stove (usually briquettes). The Defra approved stove is a specific type of wood burning stove that has been tested to ensure it meets certain standards in regards to the emissions it releases when burning authorised fuels and consequently, it is able to be used legally in a Smoke Control Area.

The Defra Logo is widely used in the industry, and a lot of stoves are marked with the SE after their names to signify that they are smoke-free. To be SE approved the stove must satisfy strict emission requirements. This means you can be confident you are purchasing the top wood stove on the market.

If you search 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 carried out things such as made sure there are enough air intakes on the front of the stove to allow full combustion of the fuel, and that the chimney outlet is large enough to prevent soot build-up. This is important because it ensures that the smoke from the wood stove doesn't escape through the chimney and into your home.

A Defra-approved stove allows you to use a 5" liner which is compliant with UK building regulations. Non-Defra-approved stoves require an 6" liner.

Stovax is proud to offer a range of Defra-approved stoves and DEFRA approved efficient stoves fireplaces as well as our Ecodesign Ready stoves which have been designed keeping future standards for air quality in mind. In fact, many of our Defra approved stoves are also capable of being used with smoke control kits for properties in a Smoke Control Area and so can be used with a range of smokeless fuels that are authorised, such as fire logs.

Approved for Smokeless Fuels

The only stove that can be installed within a smoke-control zone is one that is a DEFRA approved wood burner, also known by the designation DEFRA exempt. This stove should be used with solid fuel, which means wood, and preferably well-seasoned. They are inspected by the government to ensure that they don't generate excessive levels of smoke and can be used with 'authorised' fuels (coal only).

The distinction between a stove that is DEFRA approved and one that is not approved is usually minimal. With a kit provided by the manufacturer, a lot of modern stoves can be easily transformed into DEFRA conforming in just a few just a few minutes. This is because the Defra approved stove must undergo very rigorous tests and must be restricted in the amount of smoke it is able to produce.

To ensure that these limitations remain in place during the testing process, the stove needs to be able to limit the combustion air supply so that it does not deplete itself of oxygen, which can cause it to smolder. This is achieved through a mechanism within the stove that allows an air pocket into the firebox during combustion which is typically hidden within the stove and beneath the base of the fire box.

Stove World UK offers a vast selection of DEFRA approved stoves from some of the top manufacturers in the country including Stovax, Arada and Burley. These are available in a huge range of styles and finishes. You can also choose from an impressive range of Ecodesign ready stoves that are specifically designed to meet future air quality requirements.

Smoke Control Areas are usually situated around large cities and towns and you can visit the website of your local authority to see if your area is classed as such. If you live in a smoke-free zone, it is crucial to purchase a DEFRA approved stove for your home to avoid being fined by your local authority. If you use coal or other solid fuels using a non approved stove, you may be fined up PS300.

Approved for Wood

A DEFRA approved stove, also referred to as a smoke-free wood stove is an appliance that can be used to burn wood in smoke Control Area. The stove will have the Defra approved symbol or 'SE' the title meaning it is only permitted to be used in smoke-controlled areas if you burn approved fuels. In this instance wood is the fuel.

Many older wood stoves emit large amounts of particulate matter into the air which can trigger or contribute to respiratory problems asthma attacks, heart problems and premature death. Therefore, it is essential to choose a wood stove that is compliant with the strict emission standards as set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Look for an "EPA 2020 Certified" label, which signifies 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 live in a smoking area, you'll need to renew the certification before you can use the stove. This can be expensive and time-consuming, but it is required by law. Homeowners who sell a home with a wood stove that is not certified may be liable for tax credits or fines relating to pollution-free air.

With a kit, or an adjustment made by the installer, the majority of modern stoves can become Defra-approved. This is because the main difference between a DEFRA approved stove and one that are not, is the combustion air management system which controls how much air passes through the stove during normal operation. The modification will usually be made on the underside of the firebox, or in the base.

Certain manufacturers will make two versions of their wood stove, one that is Defra approved and the other not. This is due to the process of putting a stove through the rigorous Defra tests can be very costly, so to help recoup some of the costs, they'll offer the non-approved version at a lower price. The DEFRA-approved version will have been subjected to the modification of the combustion air as part of the testing process.

Approved for Gas

Before the Clean Air Acts were brought in residential homes could burn any type of fuel they wanted, which led to large amounts of smoke emissions and health issues. To stop this, Defra established 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 Approved Efficient Stoves approved to burn only authorised fuels such as manufactured smokeless coals and anthracite.

Defra approved SE (Smoke-Exempt) Stoves have been subjected to rigorous tests to prove they can safely burn approved fuels in a Smoke Control Zone. The latest combustion technology delivers an indefinite amount of secondary air into the firebox. This lets the stove meet Defra regulations for Smoke Control Areas even when it is using authorised fuels like anthracite as well as manufactured smokeless coals.

The Stove Yard has a large selection of Defra-approved stoves that are ideal for those who reside in a smoke control zone and require a brand new fireplace that burns wood. We have a broad range of traditional, contemporary and inset Defra approved stoves from the most reputable manufacturers like Stovax, Arada, Burley and AGA.

The good news is there is no distinction in appearance between a stove that is Defra-approved and a non-approved model. However, the Defra-approved models do have a few features that are designed to ensure they burn more efficiently. They usually have an unintentionally different grate as well as air vents as well as on gas models they may have a slightly different size flue outlet.

Another benefit of an Defra Approved stove is that they'll almost always come with a 5" (125mm) flue outlet. This means that you can use a narrower stainless steel twin wall flexible chimney liner which is cheaper than a standard 6" (150mm) liner. We've found this useful when the customer has an old or non-standard chimney stack which we are installing a Defra approved wood burning stove in to and it reduces the cost of re-lining the chimney stack with a bigger diameter liner.