What is a Defra Approved Wood Burning Stove?

If you live in an area where smoking is controlled, it's important to purchase a DEFRA-exempt stove. A DEFRA exempt (or defra burning mdf SE) stove permits you to burn wood legally in a smoke-controlled space.

They are independently tested to ensure the lowest emissions possible. Stoves that have this status are usually branded with the 'Defra approved logo on their specifications or name.

Approved for Smoke Controlled Areas

Many people believe that living in a smoke controlled area means they can't use a wood burning fireplace. It's not the case. In reality, most cities and large towns are located in an area that is smoke-free, but this doesn't mean you cannot use an oven, it simply implies that you have to use an exempt appliance and only use authorised fuels (usually Briquettes) in your stove. The stove that is Defra-approved 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. This means it can be used legally in smoke-control zones.

The Defra logo is widely adopted in the industry, and a lot of the stoves approved bear SE after their name which means they are smoke-free. To be SE approved, a stove must meet strict emission criteria. This means you can be sure that you are purchasing the top wood stove available.

If you're looking for a stove that burns wood that is Defra-exempt or that has SE after its title You will see that the manufacturer might have done things like ensure that there are enough air intakes in the front of 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 helps to ensure that the smoke from the stove doesn't escape through the chimney and enter your home.

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

At Stovax we are proud to offer a variety of Defra Burning Mdf approved stoves and fires, as well as our Ecodesign Ready stoves that have been developed with the future of air quality standards in mind. Many of our Defra-approved stoves are also able to be used in conjunction with a smoke control system for homes located in Smoke Control Areas. 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 known as a DEFRA exempt stove is the only type of stove you can install 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 that they are only suitable for use with approved fuels.

The difference between the difference between a DEFRA approved stove and a non-approved one is usually very little. Many modern stoves can easily be converted to DEFRA compliant with an approved kit supplied by the manufacturer and then fitted within a matter of minutes. This is due to the fact that Defra approved appliances must pass very strict tests and are limited in the amount of smoke they are able to produce.

To ensure that the restrictions are maintained the stove must be able limit its combustion air to ensure that it doesn't starve itself of oxygen which can cause it smoulder. This is accomplished through a mechanism that opens an air pocket in the firebox when it is burning. It is usually hidden inside the stove or underneath the base of its fire box.

Stove World UK offers a large selection of DEFRA approved stoves from the country's best manufacturers including Stovax, Arada and Burley. They are available in a vast range of styles and finishes. You can also pick from an impressive range of Ecodesign ready stoves that are designed to meet the future air quality requirements.

Smoke Control Areas are typically situated around cities and towns with large populations and you can check 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 very important that you purchase a DEFRA approved stove for your home, to avoid being fined by your local authority. If you use coal or any other solid fuels using a non approved stove, you could be fined PS300.

Approved for wood

A DEFRA approved wood stove, defra Burning mdf also called a smoke exempt stove, is an appliance that can be used in a Smoke Control Area when burning wood. The stove will be marked with the Defra approved symbol or the word 'SE' in the front of its name meaning it can only be used in smoke-controlled areas if you burn approved fuels. In this instance wood.

A lot of older wood stoves emit huge amounts of particulate matter. These can trigger or exacerbate respiratory problems, asthma attacks and heart issues. This is why it's important to purchase new wood stoves that is compliant with the strict emission standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Look for the "EPA 2020 Certified Label" which indicates that the stove is in compliance with the emission limits currently in place.

If you purchase a cooktop which is not EPA-certified and you reside in a smoking zone you'll have to recertify it before you can use the stove. This can be expensive and time-consuming, however it is required by law. Homeowners who sell a home with wood stove that is not certified may also be liable for tax credits or fines related to clean air.

Most modern stoves can be modified to become Defra approved using a kit or an adjustment provided by the installer. This is due to the primary difference between a DEFRA approved stove and one which aren't, is the combustion air management system that controls how much air passes through the stove during normal operation. The modifications are usually made on the underside of the firebox or within the base.

Certain manufacturers make two types of wood stove: one that is Defra-approved while the other that isn't. This is because the process of running a stove through the stringent Defra tests is expensive in order to recover some of this expense they'll sell the non-approved version at a lower price. The DEFRA stoves installation approved version will have been able to have the modification to the combustion air performed as part of the testing procedure.

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 resulted in large quantities of smoke emissions and health problems. To stop this, Defra established Smoke Control Areas. This meant that homes could not produce any smoke except if their wood burners and multifuel stoves were approved by Defra for burning only authorised materials such as manufactured smokeless coke and anthracite.

Defra approved stoves, also known as SE (Smoke Exempt) Stoves, have been subjected to rigorous tests to prove that they can cleanly burn authorised fuels within a Smoke Control Area. They accomplish this by using the latest technology for combustion that continuously delivers a minimum amount of secondary air to the firebox to ensure that even if the stove is being used with fuels that are authorised, such as anthracite or manufactured smokeless coals it can still meet Defra's regulations for Smoke Control Areas.

The Stove Yard has a vast selection of stoves that are Defra approved that are perfect for those who reside in a smoke-free area and require a new wood burning fireplace. We have a broad collection of traditional, contemporary and inset Defra approved stoves from industry-leading manufacturers such as Stovax, Arada, Burley and AGA.

The good part is that there's much of a distinction in appearance between a Defra approved woodburning stove and one that isn't. However, the Defra approved models do come with a number of features which are designed to ensure they burn more efficiently. Generally they will have a different grate design and air vents and on gas stoves they might also have a different sized flue outlet.

Another benefit of a Defra Approved stove is that they'll typically have five" (125mm) flue outlet which means that you can use a smaller stainless steel twin wall chimney liner that is cheaper than a standard 6" (150mm) liner. This is beneficial when putting a Defra-approved wood burning stove into an old or nonstandard chimney stack. It will save you money the cost of relining a chimney with a larger diameter liner.