A Look Into The Secrets Of Defra Exempt Wood Burner The Benefits of DEFRA Exempt Wood Burners

DEFRA approved wood burning stoves are an excellent option for homeowners who live within smoke control zones. These particular log burners have been through rigorous testing and are able to operate within strict regulations.

Stoves that have been approved will be marked with the letter 'SE', which means Smoke Exempt. They are only permitted to be used in smoke-controlled areas in the event of burning approved fuels from Defra that include wood or smokeless fuels.

Smoke Exempt

DEFRA exempt stoves for wood burning or Defra approved stoves are made to conform to the Department of Environment's (DEFRA) regulations. These stoves have been tested and inspected to ensure that they use fuel more efficiently and generate very little or no smoke. They emit very little carbon dioxide, and their combustion efficiency is so high that partially burned combustibles like ash and soot are reburned before they can escape up your chimney and into the air.

If you live in an area designated as Smoke-Control Area It is essential that your stove is DEFRA exempt. It should also permit you to use fuels that are authorised. Smoke from your chimney is a crime when you don't use an exempt appliance, or fuels that are approved. Exempt Defra stoves are better for your chimney as they burn fuel more efficiently and produce less smoke. Your flue and chimney will last longer and remain cleaner.

We have a range of stoves exempt from Defra that include the ones from Stovax and Arada. We only offer the highest quality products, so you can be confident that your new stove will be a safe and efficient addition to your home.

It is a common myth that you must buy an exempt stove from Defra even if your house is located in a smoke-control area. It's not the case. You can still fit an un-DEFRA stove in your home provided it has an 6" (150mm) flue liner, and that you only use it with approved briquettes or other smokeless fuels.

We recommend that you choose an Defra approved model if you want to be sure that you can burn wood legally in a DEFRA-exempt stove. These stoves have been developed to comply with the UK's strict environmental standards. They've been tested and certified to be DEFRA exempt which means they only emit minimal amounts of smoke. These stoves are also more efficient than older-style models, meaning you can heat your home with fewer wood logs. You can pick from a selection of Defra models in a wide variety of colours and styles.

Clean Burn

Open fires and wood-burning stoves generate smoke that can cause harm to the health of people in your home and those living close by. The fine particulates found in the smoke can cause respiratory issues, including asthma. Fortunately modern DEFRA exempt stoves have been designed to greatly reduce the harmful effects.


These wood burners were thoroughly tested and scrutinized in order to ensure they comply with the Department of Environment regulations. These stoves are designed to burn fuel more efficiently and produce less pollution. These stoves also show the clear smoke that is released from the chimney, instead of the dark smoke that is common with older log burning stoves and open fires.

Modern DEFRA-exempt stoves feature secondary and tertiary systems that are responsible for the smaller smoke particles. This means that the air within the combustion chamber is continuously being circulated, making it much more difficult for these particles to escape into the chimney.

This also means that you can only use fuels that are approved for burning on your DEFRA exempt wood stove (such as dry seasoned firewood). Modern stoves feature an airflow system that keeps the combustion chamber clean, reducing soot and allowing gas to flow easily out of the flue.

In actual fact, a brand new DEFRA approved wood stove fitted with an EcoDesign baffle will produce around 450 times less pollution than an open fire or a traditional log burning stove according to Defra. If you live in an area that has a Smoke Control Area, then installing one of these efficient and modern stoves is crucial to safeguard your health as well as the health of your neighbors.

You can also install a DEFRA Approved Multi-Fuel Stove and make use of a variety of fuels like peat, briquettes and other manufactured solid fuels that are available in supermarkets. It is recommended that you only burn 'Ready to Burn" dry wood that is seasoned. Never burn treated or painted wood since they can cause more pollution than timber that is untreated.

Easy Maintenance

A DEFRA exempt wood-burning stove is simple to maintain, with regular cleaning and maintenance check making sure it lasts longer. They are extremely efficient and can cut down on the consumption of fuel by as much as 50%. These stoves produce far fewer emissions than other types, and are an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels.

These wood stoves can be easily installed and are suitable for many homes, particularly in urban areas. They have passed the Defra tests which means that you can legally use them in smoke control areas without violating the law or risking the hefty penalty.

Defra approved wood stoves are often cheaper to run than other models of stoves because they feature advanced combustion technology which ensures the fire burns efficiently. This means that less carbon monoxide and other particulates are released into the air. This is beneficial to the health of your family and for your own.

In addition, the DEFRA exempt stoves have been inspected by a variety of initiatives like the Clearskies scheme and Ecodesign, meaning that they meet stringent emission and efficiency standards. These certifications are visible on the stoves we sell, and give you peace of mind knowing you're buying a model that is safe and environmentally sustainable.

There is a wide range of Defra exempt stoves on Stoves Direct, including many classic styles that are ideal for an inglenook fireplace or fireplace chamber. We also have contemporary stylish options that look great with a simple fireplace surround or mantle. If DEFRA approved contemporary stoves considering buying one of our Defra exempt wood burning stoves, it's crucial to consider the style you would like to see in your home and how it will fit with the decor.

A Defra exempt stove is the only kind of log burner you can legally burn in a Smoke Control Area, and it will save you from paying a fine in the event that you are caught with a rogue wood-burning fire. The stove is also a good choice for those who want to lower their carbon footprint. The wood of the tree absorbs CO2 as it grows and releases it back into the atmosphere when it is burned.

Smoke Control Areas Suitable

Many UK cities and towns are classified as Smoke Control Areas, so a wood burning stove that has been DEFRA approved is essential. This means that the stove has passed rigorous tests and is able to be legally used in these areas. These tests ensure the air is not contaminated by the combustion particles produced by the stove. These toxins can lead to the dark smoke seen from chimneys in smoke zones of control. They are harmful to health and cause annoyance to neighbors.

Local councils have therefore enacted laws to address the issue by prohibiting the use open fireplaces as well as non-DEFRA-exempt appliances. The good news is you can still install your stove in your home so long as it's DEFRA-exempt and you use only approved fuel.

Stoves that have been approved for use in a Smoke Control Area will be marked as such and have been tested to ensure that they are in compliance with strict emissions and efficiency standards. The stoves that are exempt from Defra tend to be more eco-friendly than other types of wood burners since they are equipped with advanced secondary and tertiary combustion methods which help reduce their carbon footprint.

The easiest way to find out whether you live in a smoke-free zone is to contact your local council and ask for more details. You can also determine the address of your property's postcode online, however it is best to visit the official website of your local council for more specific information as every district of the UK may be different.

Even if you don't live in the Smoke Control Area a Defra-exempt wood burning stove will still be an excellent investment. It is more environmentally friendly and neighbor-friendly. A stove that is Defra-approved will also produce less smoke, which keeps your chimney and flue clear for a longer time. Many of the leading stove makers like Arada Burley Parkray Stovax, have a variety of smokeless models that are DEFRA exempt.