Choosing a Defra Approved Or Smoke Exempt Stove

If you live in an area that is a Smoke Controlled area, then choosing a DEFRA Approved or Smoke Exempt stove is vital. They not only comply with building regulations, they also guarantee that you can legally burn wood and multi fuels in your home.

Stove manufacturers are continuously making improvements to their products using secondary and tertiary combustion systems to reduce emissions and the user's carbon footprint.

Defra Approved

If you reside in an area that is smoke controlled you'll need an approved stove from the defra. This is because the UK government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has laws in place that prohibit the release of dark smoke from chimneys in smoke-controlled areas (most large towns and cities). Defra Approved stoves have gone through rigorous tests and inspections to ensure that they conform to this law. They are specifically designed to burn fuel more efficiently and produce a lot less pollutants. They are a better option for your family and friends as the smoke levels are kept to an acceptable level. Stoves that have been DEFRA legislation stoves approved will also display the logo along with the words SE (smoke-exempt) and defra exemption on their title and specifications.

The majority of wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves that we sell are Defra-approved. We are always looking to source the highest quality products and we want to make sure our customers get the best from their stove. Defra-approved stoves burn more efficiently than non-approved models. This means that they will create considerably less particulate matter. This is in turn, reducing the amount of dark smoke that is produced. The stoves that are Defra-approved tend to have a larger firebox, which can also help reduce smoke emissions.

DEFRA Approved British stoves approved appliances will not only reduce the amount of smoke produced and also ensure that the combustion air remains constant throughout the entire burning process. This will stop the stove from becoming starved of air which causes it to smolder or release dark smoke. As they gain popularity the majority of stove manufacturers are now building Defra Approved Models into their range of products.

Defra approved stoves aren't only a good alternative for those living in areas that have smoke control, but they are an excellent choice for anyone who wants to improve the efficiency and safety of their fireplace and reduce the amount of harmful substances released into the atmosphere. They are also ideal for those who want to line their chimney with a flexible stainless steel twin wall liner. Since the majority of Defra approved models come with a 5" outlet, this will allow them to be used with a liner of 125mm, rather than the standard 6" outlet, which could save money on the cost of the liner and installation.

Some homeowners may decide to sleep on their stove for the night and shut the top vent down and burning it slowly, this can cause the build-up of soot and tar that can block their chimney. A Defra approved stove won't allow you to shut the top vent down completely, since this could cause the fire to go out. It's also more likely to send any unburned combustibles into the air, which is healthier for the environment and will be significantly less likely to block your chimney.

Exempt from Defra

You will often see the terms DEFRA permitted stoves Approved or Defra Exempt when you are looking for a stove that burns wood. It is typically a wood-burning or multi-fuel stove that has been approved to be utilized in a smoke-controlled area.

This is accomplished by these appliances undergoing rigorous tests and inspections to ensure they are operating at the lowest levels of emissions. This is achieved through a secondary combustion, whereby the waste products of the burning process are burned again to limit the amount of pollutants released into the air. DEFRA Approved Stoves are the ideal choice for those who live in areas with smoke restrictions and want to know that their stove is legal.

Typically a Defra Exempt stove is identified with an SE logo or labeled as a DEFRA Stove. This means that the stove has passed a test conducted by the UK Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs to show that it emits little smoke when used properly. This is why Defra wood burning stoves are the only stoves that are legal to install in Smoke Controlled Zones.

A Defra approved wood burning stove will also aid in keeping your flue and chimney cleaner since they are engineered to burn wood more cleanly than other types of stoves. This is because of an advanced combustion system that doesn't hinder airflow into the firebox, and allows for what's called slumbering. which prevents combustibles that have been partially burned from escaping your chimney.

As well as this, Defra approved wood burning stoves are typically built to be energy efficient. This is achieved by using the most recent technologies to ensure that the greatest amount of heat is extracted from the fuel, and then transferred to your living space. You will also benefit from lower heating costs and a safer, cleaner and more environmentally friendly home.

When you choose a Defra Approved stove, there are many options to choose from in terms of design size, size and fuel type. Some stoves are only Defra approved for burning wood, while some are also Defra-approved to use authorised smoking coal. There are affordable DEFRA stoves-approved stoves in both traditional and modern styles, so you're certain to find one that matches your decor.

We've put together a complete guide on how to buy an approved DEFRA stove. It covers everything you need to know about this type appliance including how to get the most value for your money when purchasing one, what to watch out for when shopping for stoves, and more. The guide is available in full here. In addition we have a fantastic range of Defra Approved stoves from some of the top manufacturers in the UK. Brands like Stovax and Burley are also included. If you're in search of a wood burning or multi fuel stove that is both Defra Approved as well as CE certified then be sure to take a look at our range.