The 10 Worst Defra Approved Woodburner Failures Of All Time Could Have Been Prevented Choosing a Defra Approved Woodburner

Defra-approved cooktops are becoming increasingly popular. They will aid you in avoiding a significant fine if you reside in a smoke-free zone and provide additional benefits.

Most Defra-approved woodburners have an altered top-air control, which prevents you from closing it completely and thereby cutting off oxygen flow to the flame. This prevents the fuel from burning and producing smoke.

What is an DEFRA approved stove?

It is important that you choose a stove which has been approved by DEFRA when purchasing a multifuel or woodburning stove. This means that the stove has passed rigorous tests formulated by DEFRA. These tests are developed in order to ensure that the appliance complies with laws regarding smoke emissions. DEFRA approved stoves emit less smoke than woodburning stoves and multifuel stoves, which is the reason they are permitted to be used in Smoke Control Areas.

A Defra approved stove is also referred to as a Smoke Exempt Stove. In many instances, these models are marked with 'SE' which stands for Smoke Exempt. This means that the stove has passed an examination conducted by DEFRA, the UK government. The test is designed to measure emissions levels and the amount of smoke generated during normal operation. Defra Exempt stoves are able to be used within a Smoke Control Area and can be fitted with a 5" chimney liner to allow the burning of wood (provided that the manufacturer does not insist on a bigger diameter) when this is in line with Building Regulations.

Even if you do not live in a Smoke-Control Area selecting a Defra-approved stove is a great option. They are more eco friendly and friendly to neighbors. They have been shown to emit less carbon dioxide which can lead to nuisance smoke in the atmosphere and your chimney and flue system will be more clean as they are only compatible with dry seasoned firewood that has not been cut or split in recent times.

At Bowland Stoves we offer a variety of Defra approved stoves in a variety styles and these are ideal for those who want to heat their homes in a sustainable manner. We also carry a variety of stoves that have dual fuel so you can use them to heat your home as well as producing domestic hot water at the same time.


If you reside in a large city or town that has been classified as a Smoke Control Area then that you'll have to use a Defra-approved Stove or Smoke Exempt Stove in order to comply with the law and avoid hefty fines. The stoves are modified to meet the ultra-low emission standards that are set by the UK government. They typically have a secondary phase of combustion that ensures waste products in the forms of gas are re-burned for even greater efficiency.

Stoves Approved by Defra Are Eco-friendly

When you choose a DEFRA approved wood-burning stove, you are selecting a source of heat that is not just environmentally responsible but also extremely efficient. This is because of the second phase of combustion, which re-burns flue gases, resulting in minimal emissions. DEFRA approved stoves are also cost efficient because they burn fuel more efficiently, which reduces the cost of energy in the long run. They are also available in various styles to fit any style of home from modern to traditional.

Defra approved stoves are also an excellent choice for those living in Smoke Control Areas of the UK. These are typically large cities and towns where smoke emissions are a problem. You can burn wood and other fuels not allowed in your home and not risk fines if you have an approved DEFRA stove.

The best DEFRA approved stoves also come with an array of eco-friendly features to further reduce their environmental impact. For example, many of our stoves are SIA Ecodesign compliant, and come with a state-of-the-art cleanburn technology that increases combustion efficiency and reduces emissions. The stoves also feature an airwash system that ensures the glass is clean so you can enjoy your fire. They can be multi-fuel, which means you can choose from a variety of fuels.

A DEFRA approved stove also provides the necessary amount of oxygen for the wood to burn. This ensures that the wood doesn't ignite, or release excessive smoke. This is important in Smoke Control Zones since it could cause fines.

Apart from the advantages of using a wood-burning stove in a Smoke Control Area, DEFRA approved stoves are more sustainable for the environment and more importantly for your health. This is because part of the pollution from solid fuels, like wood is ultra-fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that can get into the lung. This can cause a number negative side effects, such as asthma symptoms or a feeling of unwellness.

Stoves Approved by Defra Are Neighbour Friendly

If you live in an area where smoke is controlled an approved DEFRA stove is essential. It will allow you to burn wood and other fuels that do not emit smoke. They are able pass strict emissions tests that restrict the amount of smoke they emit when they are in normal operation. If you do not use a DEFRA approved stove in a smoke controlled zone, you could be breaking the law and being hit with a hefty fine.

A Defra approved stove is also considerably more environmentally and neighbor friendly. They don't produce any noxious smoke, and when properly maintained, they will last for a prolonged time. This will keep your chimney and flue hygienic for a longer time.

Stove manufacturers are constantly improving their clean burning technology and new stoves are now equipped with an array of ingenuous features that help them be more green. They include advanced secondary and third-generation combustion systems, which help to ensure all combustible gasses are used up. This results in a more effective burn, which reduces emissions and waste.

A DEFRA-approved stove will also have a high burning rate which means less fuel is wasted and more energy is utilized. This makes them more efficient than previous models and can result in savings for homeowners.

Defra approved stoves are more eco-friendly than traditional open fires or log burners. They release significantly less carbon dioxide emissions than fossil fuels, which aids in achieving the UK's climate change goals. In fact burning DEFRA approved stoves, homeowners can reduce their CO2 emissions by as much as one fifth.

As well as being more efficient as well as more efficient, as well as more efficient, a DEFRA approved stove will often be able to reach extremely low levels of emissions which are far superior to the ones required for Ecodesign. In 2022, new stoves will have to comply with the Ecodesign regulations that set minimum efficiency levels, and introduce NOX and OGV ceilings (not currently in place) and emission limitations for all woodburning appliances which will be much more stringent than the DEFRA Exempt ceiling that currently applies.

Defra Approved Stoves Are Smoke Exempt

If you reside in a Smoke Controlled area or plan to move into one, it is important to ensure that your new wood burner is Defra exempt. The law prohibits the release of smoke from a wood stove unless it is burning a certified fuel. If you burn an unapproved fuel in a Smoke Controlled Zone that is a Smoke Controlled Area, you could be punished up to PS1000.

A Defra exempt stove is a wood-burning multi-fuel stove that has been tested and approved by the Defra (Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) regulations. Defra is the UK government department that handles all policies and regulations relating to rural issues, the environment and food.

Stove manufacturers produce both DEFRA approved and non-DEFRA stoves. The DEFRA stoves have been altered to ensure that the vents are not able to be closed. This prevents the stove from sleeping, which is where the stove opens its air vents at night, allowing the fuel to to burn slowly. This reopening of the air vents causes part-burned combustibles to be sent back out into the room in the form black smoke.

Many people are confused as to whether a stove that is not DEFRA approved can be used in a Smoke Controlled area. Yes, but you are only able to legally use it to burn a list of Defra approved smokeless fuels which is highlighted on the government's website here. The list doesn't contain wood and, therefore, if you intend to burn wood with your new stove, you will require a DEFRA-approved cooking device.

The other advantage of a DEFRA exempt stove is that it is more efficient than non-Defra approved models. affordable DEFRA stoves approved stoves are designed to use more fuel. This means that you will be able to extract more heat from your logs, or other kinds of wood, which in turn will lower your heating expenses.

Although a stove that is DEFRA-approved is superior to non-DEFRA models in terms of efficiency, it still requires proper maintenance to ensure it continues to function efficiently. This includes cleaning the flue, cleaning the firebox and checking that the chimney is free of obstructions.