The Ultimate Cheat Sheet For Defra Approved Wood Stoves Defra Approved Wood Stoves

If you reside in a region where smoke is restricted (most UK cities and large towns) You will have to use a DEFRA approved stove to avoid breaking UK laws. These Defra Smoke Exempt Appliances are designed to ensure that the wood or multi-fuel is burnt without releasing unnecessary amounts of smoke.

Cleaner Burning

Wood stoves exempt from Defra regulations or "clean burning" wood burners as they are often known, use the most modern combustion technology to reduce smoke and emissions. They achieve this by using pre-heated tertiary air to help burn the fuel more efficiently and reduce harmful particulates released into the atmosphere. The result is a cleaner, more efficient fire which produces less smoke and a more efficient heating system.

Alongside enhancing the efficiency of the stove, modern wood stoves have been designed to be more gentle to your flue and chimney. Modern wood stoves produce less creosote than older counterparts. This lets you keep your chimney system and flue cleaner for longer.


If you are in the Smoke Control Area (most major towns and cities) then you must use a Defra Approved Stove or Wood Burner to avoid breaking the law and incurring a large fine. Even if you do not live in a Smoke Control Area it is still advisable to buy a Defra Approved stove as they will not only create less noxious smoke, but will help reduce your heating costs and carbon footprint too.

Many manufacturers used to produce wood stoves that had poor performance and high emissions. This was due to the fact that they were not EPA (U.S Environmental Protection Agency) or assessed. This was due to a number of factors, like the selection and size of the fireplace and stove, how wood was stored, managed and burnt, and the operation of the stove.

Today, all wood stoves must comply with an even higher standard of EPA emissions than their predecessors that were not certified. The latest wood stoves come with an EPA rating of less than 1 grams of smoke per hour.

There is plenty of potential for further improvement in the manufacture of wood stoves. The Norwegian research institute SINTEF estimates, that if all the older stoves are replaced with modern ones that are in line with Defra standards, then a few billion tonnes of climate-changing carbon dioxide could be sucked out each year.

Reduced Emissions

Stove Supermarket offers the latest DEFRA-approved wood burning stoves which use the latest clean burn technologies to ensure they can burn solid fuel and smokeless coal at a lower combustion temperatures. They produce less harmful emissions, and so you can use them in areas with smoke control.

Fine particulate matter is the most significant pollutant released by combustion of solid fuels. These tiny particles can enter the respiratory system of humans and trigger stroke and heart disease. Researchers from the University of Sheffield published a study that revealed that wood-burning stoves can release high levels of particle size PM2.5 into the home. The level of these harmful particles soared every time the stove's door was opened to refill the fire.

DEFRA approved wood-burning stoves feature an air-wash system that keeps the glass free of soot and ash. This ensures that your stove looks like new for a longer period of time, and reduces maintenance costs and time spent cleaning the stove.

While the benefits of a wood burner are a fact, the decision to purchase a stove that allows you to legally burn wood in a Smoke Control Area is a significant one. In the past, when people could simply open their fireplaces and let their wood burn however they wanted cities and towns were plagued by unhealthy levels of smog that caused breathing problems for many residents.

A Defra Approved Stove is the only legal option in Smoke Control areas for homeowners who want to legally use their fireplace. If you are thinking about purchasing a new wood burning stove or replacing your old open fire stove, it is recommended that you purchase a Defra Approved Stove from a reputable manufacturer is the best solution for compliance with the smoke control regulations.

Stove Supermarket offers a wide selection of Defra-approved Wood Burning Stoves made by top brands like Arada, Burley, and Parkray. You can select the model that is suitable for you. Our Defra Approved Stoves are all Ecodesign Compliant and come with a a Defra Certificate Of Conformity. You can be confident that you new woodburning fireplace will comply with the latest guidelines for use in a smoke-control area.

High Efficiency

A high-efficiency wood-burning stove requires less fuel to produce the same amount of heat, which will not only reduce your carbon footprint, but will also substantially cut down on your energy costs. This is particularly important since the price of electricity and gas continues to rise. By switching to a defra-approved wood stove, you will be able to reduce your household expenses and save money in the long run.

A Defra approved wood stove is compliant with the regulations of the Government concerning smoke-free zones, so you can use it in smoke exempt zones. If you see a stove that has Defra Approved or 'SE' in its name it means that it meets the strict standards set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

These stoves are able to produce lower levels of particulate emission than earlier versions of open fires. The latest stoves made by top manufacturers such as Arada, Burley Parkray, and Stovax come with secondary and tertiary burning systems which reduce the emissions of the stove. Many of these stoves that burn wood are also SIA EcoDesign Ready, meaning they are more eco-friendly than DEFRA Approved and will be capable of meeting future emission targets.

As well as being more environmentally responsible, a Defra approved stove will burn your wood much more efficiently than older stoves or open fires. This will result in lower levels of particulate emissions which is a good thing for those living in smoke-free zones. A DEFRA-approved stove can also help keep your fuel expenses low. If you choose a stove which can burn more wood per hour than an open flame, you can save money since you don't have to feed it as frequently.

A Defra Approved stove will be an ideal choice for anyone who wishes to remain eco-friendly and cut energy bills while at the same time. These stoves aren't just efficient and clean, but they also come in a variety of styles to fit your personal preferences.

EPA Certification

If you reside in an area where smoke is not controlled, you will need to use an approved DEFRA stove for burning wood at home. Defra is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which is responsible for regulations pertaining to environmental and rural issues. Its Smoke Control Area regulations prohibit the emission of dark smoke from chimneys, unless using an exempt device or authorised fuels such as smokeless coal. Only approved stoves from Defra are legal to use in these areas, without violating the law or being subject to fines up to PS1,000.

The best way to be sure you purchase a smoke controlled stove is to look for the EPA 2020 certification label. This certification means that the stove passed rigorous tests to be able claim it can be used in a smoke-control area. The stove will also be rated an efficient burner, making sure that it can provide maximum heating with less fuel. This efficiency means that homeowners will save money on their heating costs and will see an increase in the amount of wood needed to keep their homes warm.

click for more to consider is whether it is a Defra approved wood burning stove is designed with environmentally conscious features. The Country 4 BLU is a perfect example of an Defra approved stove that combines many eco-friendly features. It is designed to meet or exceed 2022 Ecodesign standards, which means that it produces extremely low emissions that minimize its environmental impact. This means cleaner, more eco-friendly operation for everyone. It also makes your chimney and flue systems more secure.

A wood burning stove that is endorsed by Defra will provide you with many advantages, apart from meeting UK smoke control standards of the government. They reduce pollution through adhering to strict emission standards. This is helpful for people who have sensitive lungs. They also have long burn times which can translate into significant savings on fuel and wood consumption. They can also be combined with heating systems that are energy efficient, resulting in a green and responsible option for homes.