What is a Defra Approved Wood Burning Stove?
If you reside in a zone of smoke control then it is crucial to purchase a DEFRA exempt stove. A DEFRA exempt stove (or SE) permits you to legally burn wood in a smoke-controlled area.
They are independently tested to provide the lowest emissions. Stoves that have this status are usually branded with the 'Defra approved logo on their name or the specifications.
Approved for Smoke Controlled Areas
Many people believe that living in a smoke-free zone means they cannot use a fireplace with wood. It's not the case. The majority of towns and cities fall under a smoke control zone however that doesn't mean they aren't able to use a wood burning stove. Fireplaces And Stove means they must burn authorised fuels in their stove (usually Briquettes). The Defra approved stove is a kind of wood-burning stove that has been inspected to ensure it meets certain requirements regarding the emissions it emits when burning authorised fuels, and therefore it can be legally used in the Smoke Control Area.
The Defra logo is widely used in the industry and many of the stoves that have been approved bear SE after their name which means they are smoke-free. To be SE approved the stove must satisfy strict emission requirements. This means that you can be sure that you're buying the best wood stove available.
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 done things such as made 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 stop the build-up of soot. This is important because it ensures that smoke from the wood burning stove doesn't escape through the chimney and into your home.
Another benefit of a Defra approved stove is that it usually permits you to use it with 5" chimney liner, which will comply with UK building regulations, whilst non-Defra approved stoves will need to be fitted with a larger 6" liner.
At Stovax we are pleased to offer a range of Defra approved stoves and fires, alongside our Ecodesign Ready stoves that have been created with future air quality standards in mind. A large portion of our approved stoves can also be used conjunction with a smoke-control system for properties located in Smoke Control Areas. They can be used to burn a variety smokeless fuels, including fire logs.
Approved for Smokeless Fuels
A DEFRA approved wood burning stove, also known as a DEFRA exempt stove is the only type of stove that you can put in a smoke-control area when you plan to use it to burn solid fuel (wood and preferably well-seasoned). The government tests these stoves to ensure that they don't release excessive smoke and can only be used with fuels that are 'authorized.
The difference between the difference between a DEFRA approved stove and one that is not typically is very small. With a kit from the manufacturer, many modern stoves can be transformed into DEFRA compliant in just a few minutes. This is because the Defra approved stove has to undergo rigorous testing and has to be limited on how much smoke it can produce.
To ensure that these limitations remain in place during the testing process, the stove must be capable of limiting the combustion air supply to ensure that it doesn't starve itself of oxygen, which could cause it to smoke. This is accomplished through a mechanism that opens an air pocket in the firebox when it is burning. It is typically hidden inside the stove or underneath the base of its fire box.
Stove World UK has a large selection of DEFRA approved stoves from some of the top manufacturers in the world including Stovax Arada and Burley. They are available in a huge variety of styles and finishes. Select from a broad selection of Ecodesign stoves that are designed to meet future needs for air quality.
Smoke Control Zones are mainly in large towns and cities. You can go to the website of your local authority to find out if you live in one of these. It is crucial to buy an approved DEFRA stove if you reside in a zone that is smoke-controlled. This will allow you to avoid being fined by your local authority. If you burn coal or other solid fuels in a non approved stove, you may be fined up 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 be marked with the Defra approved symbol or 'SE' front of its name, which means it is only permitted to be used in areas controlled by smoke if you burn approved fuels. In this case, wood.
A lot of older wood stoves emit large amounts of particulate matter, which can lead to or worsen respiratory problems, asthma attacks and heart problems. Therefore, it is essential to purchase a stove that meets strict emission standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency. Look for the "EPA 2020 Certified Label" which means that the stove is in compliance with the emission limits that are currently in place.
If you purchase a stove that isn't EPA certified and you reside in a zone of smoke control you must get it recertified before you can use it. It is costly and time-consuming, but the law requires it. In addition homeowners who sell a home with a wood stove that isn't certified may be liable for clean air tax credits as well as fines.
Most modern stoves can be modified to be Defra approved using a kit or an adjustment that the installer offers. This is due to the primary difference between the DEFRA approved stove and those that aren't is the combustion air management system that controls how much air passes through the stove in normal operation. Modifications are usually made to the base or side of the firebox that is underneath the stove.
Some manufacturers produce two types of wood stove. One is Defra-approved, and the other is not. The reason is that the cost of putting a stove through the rigorous Defra testing is costly. To offset the costs, they sell the non approved version for a lower cost. The DEFRA-approved version will have been subjected to the modification of the combustion air as part of the test procedure.
Gas Approved
Prior to the Clean Air Acts, residential homes could burn any fuel they wanted to, resulting in large amounts of smoke emissions. This led to health issues. To stop this, Defra established Smoke Control Areas. This means that residential homes can not emit 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 undergone rigorous tests to prove that they are able to burn cleanly approved fuels in a Smoke Control Area. The latest technology for combustion delivers an unabated minimum of secondary air into the firebox. This allows the stove to meet Defra standards 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 large selection of Defra-approved stoves that are ideal for those who reside in a smoke-free area and need a new wood burning fireplace. We have an extensive selection of contemporary, traditional and inset Defra approved stoves from industry-leading manufacturers such as Stovax, Arada, Burley and AGA.
The good news is there is no difference in appearance between a stove that is Defra-approved and one that isn't. However the models that are Defra-approved have a few features designed to ensure they burn cleaner. Generally they will have a different design of grate and air vents and on gas stoves, they may also have an outlet for the flue that is different in size.
A Defra Approved Stove will almost always have a 5" flue outlet (125mm). This means you can choose a smaller stainless steel twin wall flexible liner, which is less expensive than a 6" (150mm). This is useful when installing a Defra-approved wood burning stove into an old or non-standard chimney stack. It can save money on replacing a bigger diameter chimney liner.