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) allows you to legally burn wood in a smoke controlled area.
They are independently tested to ensure the lowest possible emissions. Stoves that are certified as such typically have the word 'Defra approved' in their name or on their specifications.
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. It's not the case. The majority of towns and cities are within the smoke control zone, however that doesn't mean they can't use a wood burning stove. It just means they have to burn approved fuels in their stove (usually briquettes). The Defra approved stove is a type of wood-burning stove that has been inspected to ensure it meets certain criteria in relation to the emissions it emits when burning fuels that are approved and consequently, it is able to be legally used in smoke control Area.
The Defra logo is widely adopted in the industry, and a lot of the stoves that are approved bear SE after their name which means they are smoke free. To be able to be SE approved it must meet strict criteria in regards to its emissions and emissions, so you can be certain that if you select an exempt defra stove, you will receive the cleanest and most efficient wood stove available.
If you're looking for a wood-burning stove that is Defra-exempt, or has SE after its title, you will find that the manufacturer may have done things like ensure that there are sufficient air intakes on the front of stove to allow for full combustion of
multi fuel stove defra approved, and that the size of the chimney outlet is sufficient to prevent the accumulation of soot. This is crucial because it ensures that the smoke from the wood stove doesn't escape through the chimney into your home.
Another benefit of a Defra approved stove is that it generally permits you to use it with five" chimney liner, which is in compliance with UK building regulations. However, stoves that are not Defra approved will need to be fitted with a larger 6" liner.
Stovax is proud to offer a selection of fireplaces and stoves that are Defra-approved as well as our Ecodesign Ready stoves which have been designed with future air quality standards at heart. A large portion of our approved stoves are also able to be used in conjunction with a smoke-control system for properties that are located in Smoke Control Areas. They can be utilized to burn a variety of non-smokeless fuels, such as fire logs.
Approved for Smokeless Fuels
The only stove that can be installed in a smoke-control area is a DEFRA approved wood burner, also referred to as DEFRA exempt. This stove must be used for solid fuel, which is wood, which is best seasoned. They are inspected by the government to ensure that they don't generate excessive levels of smoke and are able to be used with 'authorized' fuels (coal only).
The difference between a DEFRA-approved stove and one that is not approved is usually minimal. With a kit from the manufacturer, many modern stoves can be converted to DEFRA certified in a matter of only a few minutes. This is due to the fact that a Defra approved stove has to undergo very rigorous tests and is limited in the amount of smoke it is able to produce.
To ensure that the restrictions are not violated the stove has to be able to limit its combustion air so that it doesn't starve itself of oxygen which can cause it smoulder. This is achieved by an opening mechanism that lets the air in the firebox when it's burning. It is usually concealed within the stove or beneath the base of the fire box.
Stove World UK offers a large selection of DEFRA approved stoves from the country's best manufacturers, including Stovax, Arada and Burley. These are available in a vast variety of styles and designs. Pick from a variety of Ecodesign stoves that are designed to meet the future demands for air quality.
Smoke Control Areas are usually 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 reside in a smoke controlled area it is essential that you purchase an DEFRA approved stove for your home, to avoid being fined by your local authority. This is because if you burn unauthorised' fuel in a non-approved stove, like coal or other solid fuels and you are fined up to PS300.
Approved for wood
A DEFRA approved stove, also referred to as a smoke exempt wood stove, is an appliance that can be used to burn wood in a Smoke Control Area. The stove will be stamped with the Defra approved logo or bear 'SE' after its name which means it can be used in smoke-controlled areas, when burning approved fuels that is, in this instance, wood.
The older wood stoves can release large amounts of particulate matter into the air that can trigger or contribute to respiratory problems, asthma attacks, heart issues and premature death. This is why it is important to purchase new wood stoves that is compliant with the strict emission standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Look for the "EPA 2020 Certified Label" which means that the wood stove meets the emission limits currently in place.
If you buy a stove which is not EPA-certified and you reside in a smoke-free area it is necessary to renew the certification before you can use the stove. It is time-consuming and expensive, but the law requires it. Additionally homeowners who sell a house with an uncertified wood stove may be liable for clean air tax credits and fines.
With a kit or an adjustment made by the installer, the majority of modern stoves can become
Defra stoves Features-approved. The major difference between DEFRA approved stoves and those that aren't combustion air control system that controls the amount of air that passes through the stove when it's operating normally. The modifications are usually located on the bottom of the firebox or within the base.
Some manufacturers will produce two versions of their wood stove, one that is Defra approved and the other not. This is because the process of putting a stove through the strict Defra tests can be very costly, so to help recoup some of the cost, they'll offer the non-approved model at a lower cost. The
affordable DEFRA stoves-approved model will have been through the modification to the combustion air as part of the testing process.
Approved for Gas
Prior to the Clean Air Acts,
DEFRA Stoves Features residential homes were able to burn any fuel they wanted, which resulted in high levels 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 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 SE (Smoke-Exempt) Stoves have been put through rigorous testing in order to prove that they can burn authorised fuels cleanly within a Smoke Control Area. They achieve this by utilising the latest combustion technology which continually delivers a minimum amount of secondary air to the firebox so that even if the stove is operating with approved fuels like anthracite or manufactured smokeless coals it will still be able to comply with the regulations of Defra for Smoke Control Areas.
If you're in the market for a new wood burning stove and you live in a Smoke Control Area then we would recommend that you take a look at the wide selection of Defra approved stoves which can be found at The Stove Yard. We have a wide range of Defra-approved stoves. These include traditional modern, contemporary and inset models, from leading manufacturers like Stovax. Arada, Burley, and AGA.