What is a Defra Approved Stove?
A defra approved stove is a wood-burning stove that has been tested and passed by the UK Government's Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. This permits them to use in Smoke Control Areas within the UK.
Defra is an English government department, is responsible for the environment, food production standards, agriculture and a thriving rural economy. Defra has also developed robust protocols to manage notifiable diseases.
Approved by Defra
Defra approved stoves, also referred to as Defra smoke-free stoves, are multi fuel stoves that satisfy the emission standards of the government for use in Smoke Control Areas. These new standards don't prohibit the use of wood stoves in these areas, but they do restrict the amount of smoke they emit when in operation.
At ESSE we are proud to stock a great selection of defra approved stoves from top manufacturers like Arada, Burley, Parkray and Stovax. All of our
Defra approved stoves come with the most recent clean burning technology. They have secondary and tertiary systems that cut down on emissions. This means less smoke coming out of the chimney and also leaves a smaller ecological footprint.
Defra approved disinfectants can be used to disinfect and clean hard surfaces, including buildings, farm equipment, crates and vehicles. The Animal and Plant Health Agency maintains the Defra approved list of disinfectants. They charge a fee for the introduction of new back-to-back approvals of trade names. APHA can also test the efficacy of a product at any point. This is done without the need to submit samples, and the results will be added to the approved list of disinfectants.
Approved for
Defra approved stoves Smoke Control Areas
Smoke Control Areas are found in several areas of the UK. This means that you can only use exempt devices or burn fuels that are approved. This is to help reduce air pollution from burning unauthorised fuels that cause nuisance smoke and ash build up. Most towns and cities are in this category. To avoid breaking the law and receiving the penalty of a fine, you should only make use of the DEFRA approved fireplace, stove or fire to burn wood logs. Stovax offers a variety of wood and multi-fuel stoves, fireplaces and fires that are DEFRA approved for use in Smoke Control Areas.
They have passed strict DEFRA emissions tests and meet the minimum levels of smoke allowed in Smoke Control Areas. They can be used with a variety of fuels like logs, anthracite and
Defra approved stoves semi-anthracite coal brquettes, as well as manufactured smokeless fuels like the heat logs. They can also be used to burn gas, electricity, low volatile steam or a mix of these. You can find an exhaustive list of approved fuels on the DEFRA website.
When you are choosing a stove for your home, look for the DEFRA logo that can be seen on the website of the manufacturer or at their showrooms. If the stove is marked with the DEFRA logo then you are aware that the stove is Defra approved to be used in smoke-free zones and is able to burn wood in these areas. It is still necessary to use a chimney liner that is suitable but the 5kW smaller stoves are generally simpler and less expensive to install than larger models as they can be used with 5" twin wall stainless steel liner instead of the standard 6" liner.
If you don't have a DEFRA approved stove, you may be eligible to obtain a licence from your local authority to burn non-approved fuels in your home. You will need to visit the DEFRA website to see if you can apply for an exemption, and there are rules to be adhered to for example, installing a smoke detector. You will also need to comply with the rules for Smoke Control Areas if you have a garden chiminea or BBQ.
Approved for Smokeless Fuels
To be defra-approved, wood burners need to be able to burn smokeless fuels that are approved by the government, without generating excessive emissions. These fuels are commonly called 'Smokeless Coal or 'Heat Logs which have been subjected to rigorous tests to make sure that they meet the standards set by Defra for Smoke Control Areas. These fuels are an excellent alternative to real logs since they are much cleaner and produce less smoke than traditional logs.
Before the smoke control zones were put in place, residents could burn whatever they wanted. This led to health issues and air pollution for those living in urban areas. Since the rules were put in place, Defra worked to reduce the amount of pollutants that are present in these areas. They achieved this by regulating the kinds of fuels that can be burned in stoves and fireplaces.
If you reside in a smoke-free area, it is essential that your stove is Defra approved to ensure that you don't face hefty fines for breaking the rules. Even if you do not reside in a smoking-controlled area, investing in a defra-exempt stove is a good idea. They are better for your chimney system and the environment.
Defra approves wood-burning stoves and multi fuel stoves that have been tested to ensure compliance with the UK's Smoke Control Areas legislation. When purchasing a new stove, make sure it is equipped with the Defra approval badge to be sure that it is compliant with the necessary legislation.
There are two main ways to become Defra approved. One way is to make your stove and the fuels Defra approved by having them tested, which is very expensive. You can also purchase a stove that is Defra-approved and use only fuels that are approved by Defra. It is more affordable to use an approved stove by Defra but you should still consult your local council first if you aren't sure if you live in a zone of smoke control.
In England, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is responsible for protecting the environment and monitoring for air quality. It also represents the United Kingdom at international negotiations regarding agricultural, environmental and fisheries issues. The department was formed in 2001 by merging the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food as well as the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions and a portion of the Home Office. It is managed by an official in the cabinet who is accountable to the Prime Minister and other members of the cabinet.
Approved for Multi Fuel Stoves
DEFRA approved stoves have been tested for low emissions and high efficiency. They are suitable for areas with no smoke and can be used to burn wood, coal and logs. They are available in different sizes and designs, and can be installed or freestanding. They are the ideal stove for those who wish to reduce their heating costs and reduce their carbon footprint.
The Defra logo is easy to spot and has been widely adopted by the industry. The Defra logo is often found on the specification sheets and title pages of numerous stoves. It indicates that the stove can burn approved fuels in areas that are smoke-free. Some stoves also sport an SE (smoke-exempt) logo which means that they are legal to install in a smoke-controlled space when burning approved fuels.
Defra approved wood burning stoves are typically more efficient than older models and feature the most recent clean combustion technology. Numerous top stove manufacturers such as Arada Burley Parkray Stovax, have developed third-generation and secondary combustion systems to improve the efficiency of their products.
If you live in an area where smoking is controlled and you are not using a DEFRA-approved cooking appliance You could be facing an amount of fine up to PS1000. To avoid this, you should make sure that your stove is DEFRA approved prior to buying it.
A DEFRA approved stove is the best option to warm your home whilst being environmentally friendly. A DEFRA approved wood burning stove can aid in reducing your energy bills, and prevent smoke from bothering neighbours.