The Complete Guide To Defra Approved Woodburner
Choosing a Defra Approved Woodburner
Defra approved stoves are becoming more popular. They will aid you in avoiding a significant fine if you reside in a smoke control area and also provide other benefits as well.
The majority of Defra approved woodburner will have an air control on the top that prevents you from closing it completely down, which will cut off the oxygen supply to the fire. This prevents the fire from smoldering and producing smoke.
What is a DEFRA Approved Stove?
When you are buying a woodburning or multi fuel stove it is important to choose one that has been DEFRA certified, which means it has passed rigorous tests formulated by the Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). These tests are designed to ensure that an appliance is compliant with laws regarding smoke emissions. DEFRA approved stoves have been proven to emit significantly less smoke than other multifuel or woodburning stoves. This is why they can be employed in Smoke Control Areas.
A Defra approved stove is also referred to as a "Smoke Exempt" Stove. In a lot of cases models, these stoves are identified with a 'SE', which signifies Smoke Exempt. This signifies that the stove has passed a test that was developed by the UK government's DEFRA and the test measures emissions levels as well as the amount of smoke produced in normal operation. The stoves that are Defra Exempt can be used within a Smoke Control Area and are often fitted to a 5 inch chimney liner to facilitate the burning of wood (provided that the manufacturer doesn't insist on a bigger diameter) when this is in compliance with Building Regulations.
The choice of the Defra approved stove can be an excellent option even if you do not live in a Smoke Control Area since they tend to be more eco-friendly and neighbour friendly. They produce less emissions that can cause nuisance smoke in the air. Your chimney and flue will also remain cleaner for longer because they only require dry wood that's not been cut or split recently.
Bowland Stoves offers a range of stoves that are Defra-approved and available in a variety of styles. These stoves are ideal for those who want to heat their homes in an environmentally sustainable manner. We also stock models that are dual-fuel which means you can use them to warm your home and generate domestic hot water simultaneously.
If you live in a major city or town that has been designated as a Smoke Control Area then the chances are that you'll have to use a Defra Approved Stove or Smoke Exempt Stove to ensure compliance with the law and avoid paying hefty fines. These stoves have been altered to meet the ultra low emissions standards laid out by the UK government. They will often have a second phase of combustion, which ensures that the waste products in the form of gases are re burned to increase efficiency.
Defra-approved stoves are eco-friendly
By choosing a DEFRA-approved wood burning stove you are choosing an environmentally friendly and efficient source of heat. This is because the second stage of combustion re-burns flue gases leading to a reduction in emissions. DEFRA approved stoves also reduce energy costs because they burn fuel more effectively. They are also available in various styles that can be adapted to any home aesthetic from modern to traditional.
Defra approved stoves are also an excellent choice for those living in Smoke Control Areas of the UK. These are generally large towns and cities where smoke emissions can pose a problem. You can burn wood or other fuels that are not allowed in your home without risking fines if you use a DEFRA-approved stove.
The most stoves that are DEFRA-approved come with a variety of eco-friendly features that reduce their impact on the environment. Many of our stoves, for instance they are SIA Ecodesign-compliant and come with a sophisticated cleanburn system that maximizes combustion efficiency while cutting emissions. The stoves also feature an airwash system that keeps the glass 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 won't ignite, or release excessive smoke. This is essential in Smoke Control Zones since it could lead to fines.

In addition to the fact that you can use a wood-burning stove in Smoke-Control Area approved by DEFRA, DEFRA-approved stoves are also better for the environment and your health. This is because part of the air pollution resulting from solid fuels, such as wood, is ultra-fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can get into the lung. This can cause a number adverse side effects like asthma symptoms or a feeling of discomfort.
Defra Approved Stoves Are neighbour-friendly
If you reside in an area where smoke is controlled, a DEFRA-approved stove is required. It will allow you to burn wood and other fuels that are smokeless. This is because they're able to pass stringent emissions tests which limit the amount of smoke they produce in their normal use. If you use an non-approved stove in a smoke-controlled area you could be in violation of the law.
5kw multi fuel stoves defra approved could also be subject to a heavy fine.
A Defra approved stove is also much more environmentally and neighbour friendly. They don't emit a lot of smoke and if properly maintained, they will run efficiently for a long time, which means your chimney and flue system will be more clean for a longer period of time.
Manufacturers are always improving their clean-burning technology, and new stoves offer a variety of innovative features that make them more environmentally friendly. This includes advanced secondary and secondary combustion systems that work to ensure that all gasses that are combustible are consumed completely. This results in an efficient burn which reduces emissions as well as waste.
In addition to these advancements in technology in technology, an DEFRA approved stove will usually have a high rate of combustion which means that more of the fuel is consumed and less wasted. This makes them more efficient than older model stoves, and results in savings for homeowners.
Defra approved stoves are also more environmentally responsible than traditional open fires or log burners. They release significantly less carbon dioxide emissions than fossil fuels which helps to contribute towards the UK's climate goals. In fact, by burning DEFRA approved stoves homeowners can reduce their CO2 emissions by nearly a fifth.
As well as being more efficient and more efficient, a DEFRA approved stove can often be able to achieve ultra low levels of emissions which are even better than the ones required for Ecodesign. In 2022, all new stoves must comply with Ecodesign regulations that define minimum efficiency standards and introduce ceilings for NOX and OGV (not currently in place) and emissions limits for all wood burning devices. These limits will be more stringent then the DEFRA exemption ceiling currently applied.
Stoves Approved by Defra Are Smoke Exempt
It is essential to check if your new wood stove is Defra exempt if you reside or plan to move to an area designated as a Smoke Controlled Area. This is because the law prohibits the emission of smoke from stoves unless they burn an approved fuel. The use of a fuel that is not approved in a Smoke Controlled area can result in fines of up to PS1000.
A Defra exempt stove is a wood-burning multi-fuel stove that has been tested and cleared the Defra (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) regulations. Defra is the UK government department that oversees all policies and regulations relating to rural issues, the environment and food.
Stove manufacturers make DEFRA approved and non-DEFRA stoves. The DEFRA stoves have been altered so that the air vents are not able to be shut. This stops a stove from'slumbering which is the term used to describe the process of opening up air intakes at night in order to allow the fuel to burn slowly. The re-opening of the air vents causes the combustibles that have been burned to be redirected back into the room in the form of black smoke.
Many people are unsure whether a stove that isn't DEFRA-approved can be used in a Smoke Controlled area. The answer is yes however, you are only able to legally use it to burn the list of Defra approved smokeless fuels, which is available on the official website of the government here. The list doesn't include wood, so if you plan to burn wood with your new stove, you'll require a DEFRA-approved cooking device.
A DEFRA exempted stove is also more efficient than models that are not DEFRA approved. This is because DEFRA approved stoves are built to use a higher proportion of the fuel they are fed. This means that you'll be able to extract more warmth from your logs or other forms of wood, which can reduce the cost of heating.
It is essential to keep in mind that, despite the fact that an DEFRA approved stove is more efficient than non-DEFRA stoves but it still needs to be properly maintained in order to keep it working efficiently. This means regular cleaning of the firebox and flue as well as a regular check to see that the chimney or flue are clear of obstructions.