What is a DEFRA Wood Burning Stoves Approved Stove?

If you're looking to buy a wood burning stove and live in a smoke control zone it is crucial that you select a DEFRA exempt or approved stove. Stoves that are not DEFRA exempt may starve the stove and cause excessive emissions and smouldering fuel.

Clean Burn Technology

If you choose a DEFRA approved stove, you will be contributing to reduce air pollution. The wood-burning stoves are specifically designed to meet the strict smoke emission standards set by the UK Department of Environment, DEFRA Approved Wood Burning Stoves Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Clean burn technology is available in the DEFRA stoves we sell. This assures that all wood or solid fuels that you use are burned completely before they are able to escape your chimney. This is accomplished through secondary and sometimes tertiary intakes into air that ensure every particle of smoke is burned before it exits the stove. This means that your chimney will stay clean for longer, and you'll have a more efficient stove that consumes less fuel to heat your home.

Our range of DEFRA stoves comes with a broad selection of both modern and traditional styles. It's because not everyone would like a stove that is the center of attention in their living space. You might want something more discreet to blend into your decor. There is also a selection of freestanding and inglenook stoves that are suited for DEFRA approval, so you can choose the right stove for your fireplace chamber or inglenook.

You can also pick from a range of DEFRA multi-fuel stoves, which allow you to choose to burn a variety of authorised fuels. You can find the perfect DEFRA multi-fuel or wood burner for your home when you combine these features with a variety of finishes and colours.

We are proud to offer a wide selection of DefrA wood burners that have been independently checked by HETAS to meet the strict DEFRA emissions standards and legally permitted to be used in Smoke Control Areas. If you live in a Smoke Control Area then it is essential to buy a DEFRA stove because using an unapproved appliance could result in you being getting fined. You can find out whether you are in a Smoke Control Area by visiting the DEFRA website or talking to your local authority.

Smoke Exempt

DEFRA approved wood burning stoves have undergone rigorous testing to ensure that they are able to be used in smoke-controlled zones. You can find a wide variety of DEFRA stoves at Bowland Stoves that offer clean combustion, reduced emissions and the potential for cost savings. You can even choose from a range of styles that complement your home's design.

Local authorities designate Smoke Control Areas to lower smog levels in UK towns and cities. In the past, people would use any kind of fuel they wanted in their homes. This resulted in heavy smog in various areas that caused health problems for the residents. In the past there was no law that governed this, but we have to follow the rules.

Defra regulations were created to ensure public safety. They define the stoves that can be used in specific areas, and what fuels we can use. If you live in an area that is smoke-free, you can only use an DEFRA approved stove and only burn authorised fuels such as coal, logs or pellets. If you purchase a non-defra burning mdf stove and use fuels that aren't permitted, you could be punished up to PS1000.

A Defra approved stove will provide the minimum amount of air to burn, which in turn produces low smoke emissions. This is the only way to ensure that you are able to legally burn wood and other approved fuels within a Smoke Control Area.

To be DEFRA-approved, wood burners and stoves that use multiple fuels must have a minimum moisture content of 20% to avoid the formation of excessive smoke. To achieve this the wood has to be well-seasoned and most importantly, sourced from the Forestry Commission's "Woodsure Ready to Burn' scheme.

When buying a stove to use in a Smoke Control Area then make sure it has the Defra logo or a 'SE' following its name, which indicates that it is smoke exempt. The Defra Logo is easily recognisable and is widely accepted in the industry.

In compliance with Building Regulations

If a wood-burning stove is DEFRA certified, this means that it has been thoroughly tested and has met the requirements of building construction. This ensures that it is safe to use and that the flue system is properly installed. This reduces indoor air pollution and reduces fire hazards. This is particularly important for those who live in smoke control zones where it is unlawful to use unauthorised fuels.

DEFRA stoves are available in a variety of styles, sizes and finishes. This lets you find the perfect stove for your home. We offer freestanding models, inglenook and inset in both traditional and modern styles that can be adapted to any style. Depending on your requirements you can pick one with a wood burner, or a multi-fuel version. All of our DEFRA stoves come with clean-burn technology so that you can be sure that they burn your chosen fuels efficiently and effectively.

DEFRA stoves are also designed to abide with strict regulations concerning emission of smoke in smoke-controlled areas. These rules are designed to reduce the amount of particulate matter that is released into atmosphere during combustion.

The most modern DEFRA wood-burning stoves have been designed to serve this purpose and use advanced combustion systems that don't restrict airflow in the firebox. This allows the wood to be burned more quickly and efficiently, which reduces the release of particulate matter to the atmosphere. Additionally, DEFRA stoves are equipped with a secondary combustion system that reduces emissions further by re-burning combustibles not yet burned from the previous combustion process.

It is possible to install an appliance that doesn't conform to DEFRA regulations, however this will require major changes to your chimney and flue. This will likely involve changes to the structure, which could require planning permission. In order to avoid this, we recommend always selecting a DEFRA approved stove when buying a new fireplace or wood-burning stove.

A defra burning mdf approved stove will also usually come with a 5" (125mm) flue outlet. This permits the use of a 5" vitreous flue liner and save money on installation. This is a great option for those who are on a tight budget or who have chimneys with several difficult bends.

Reduced Emissions

There are many terms when you search for wood-burning stoves. The term DEFRA approved or DEFRA exempt stoves mean that it is able to be used in smoke-free areas in the UK.

These stoves have been inspected to ensure that they are in compliance with UK smoking laws. They achieve this by incorporating the newest clean-burn technology that makes use of secondary and tertiary combustion to produce cleaner air for your home. This can also help reduce your consumption of fuel as the fuel is burned more efficiently, which in turn lowers the carbon footprint.

The modern technology used in DEFRA approved wood burning stoves (love it) makes them more eco-friendly in comparison to traditional open fires or stoves. If used properly, a wood burning stove is carbon neutral. This is due to the fact that trees absorb carbon dioxide when they grow, and release it back into the atmosphere when they are burned. They are therefore an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels.

The most significant issue when using an electric fireplace with wood burning is the emission. The smoke that is produced from a wood-burning stove is a mixture of ultra-fine particles that can cause health issues. These particulates can cause breathing problems, worsen asthma symptoms, and cause you to feel sick. They also increase the risk of developing heart disease and cancer.

Domestic wood burning is currently the largest source of PM2.5 in the UK and is responsible for three times the amount of pollution than road traffic. This is due to the fact that traditional wood stoves have outdated technologies that don't utilize the latest clean burning technology to help with the production of PM2.5. This is why it's essential to buy a DEFRA exempt stove if you live in a zone that is smoke-free, or even if you do not, as they are safer for the environment and your chimney.

Bowland Stoves stocks a large choice of DEFRA-approved kitchen stoves from the top manufacturers like Arada, Stovax, and Burley. We recommend you speak to a member of our team if you are unsure what type of stove would be appropriate for your home however, if you do decide on one of our DEFRA approved stove, then you can rest assured it has been through extensive testing and inspection to be certain it is suitable to be used in Smoke Controlled Areas.