What is a DEFRA Wood Burning Stoves Approved Stove?

If you reside in an area where smoke is controlled and you are considering buying a wood-burning stove, it's important that you choose the DEFRA approved or exempt stove. Stoves that are not DEFRA exempt can cause starvation to the burner, resulting in excess emissions and smouldering fuel.

Clean Burn Technology

By choosing a 5kw defra multifuel stove-approved stove, you can help reduce the amount of air pollution. These wood burning stoves are made to meet the strict smoke emission standards laid out by the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Clean burn technology is available in the DEFRA stoves we sell. This ensures that all wood or solid fuels that you use are completely burned before they can escape up your chimney. The way in which they achieve this is through secondary and sometimes tertiary air intakes that ensure that every last particle of smoke is burned before it can leave the stove. This keeps your chimney clean for longer, and your stove will consume less fuel.

Our range of DEFRA stoves offers a wide selection of both traditional and modern styles. This is because not everyone needs to have a stove that is the center of the attention of their room. You might want something that is more discrete and blends into your decor. We have a selection of inglenook and freestanding stoves that are compliant with DEFRA approval standards, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your fireplace chamber.

You will also be able to choose from a range of DEFRA stoves that can be multi-fuel so you can enjoy the versatility of being able to burn a variety of authorised fuels. When you combine this with a variety of finishes and colors, you will surely find the ideal DEFRA wood burner or multi-fuel stove to match your home.

We are pleased to offer an extensive selection of DefrA Wood Burners that have been tested independently by HETAS and meet the stringent DEFRA emission standards. They are permitted to use legally in Smoke Control Areas. If you live in a Smoke Control Area then it is essential to buy a DEFRA approved energy-efficient stoves stove since using an appliance that is not approved could result in you being fined. If you want to know if you are in a Smoke Control Area, visit the DEFRA site or speak to your local authority.

Smoke Exempt

Stoves that are DEFRA wood-burning stoves that are approved have been tested to ensure they can be used in smoke-free areas. Bowland Stoves offers a range of DEFRA wood burning stoves that offer clean combustion, reduced emission and the potential to save money. You can choose from a variety of designs to complement your home's design.

Local authorities designate Smoke Control Areas to lower smog levels in UK towns and cities. Traditionally people would burn any type of fuel they wanted in their homes and this resulted in heavy smog in various areas that caused health issues for the residents. In the past there was no law that regulated this, but now we must adhere to the regulations.

Defra regulations have been created to ensure the safety of the public. They define the stoves that can be used in certain areas, and what fuels we can use. This means that if you live in a zone that is smoke-free then you must only make use of the DEFRA stove and only burn approved fuels such as logs, pellets or coal. If you purchase a non-DEFRA model of stove and use fuels that aren't permitted, you could be punished up to PS1000.

A stove that is approved by Defra will provide the minimum amount air for combustion that will result in minimal smoke emissions. This is the only way to be sure that you are able to legally burn wood and other authorised fuels in a Smoke Control Area.

To be DEFRA approved wood burners and multi-fuel stoves have to have an average moisture content of 20% or less to prevent excessive smoke. To achieve this, wood must be properly seasoned. It is recommended to use wood from the Forestry Commission’s ‘Woodsure Ready to Burn’ scheme.

If you are buying the stove to be used in a Smoke Control Area, make sure it has a Defra logo or a slash in its name. This signifies that the stove is smoke-free. The Defra logo is easily identifiable and is widely used by the industry.

Compliant with Building Regulations

If a wood-burning stove is DEFRA approved, this means that it has been rigorously tested and is in compliance with building regulations. This means that it is safe to use and DEFRA exempt stoves that the flue system is correctly installed. This reduces indoor air pollution and prevents fire hazards. This is particularly crucial for those who live in areas with smoke control zones where it is unlawful to burn fuels that are not authorised.

DEFRA stoves are available in a variety of styles, sizes and finishes. This allows you to choose the ideal stove for your home. We offer freestanding models, inglenook and even inset that come in modern and traditional styles to suit any decor. You can also choose between a dedicated wood burner or multi-fuel version depending on your needs. All of our DEFRA stoves are fitted with clean-burn technology so that you are assured that they burn your preferred fuels efficiently and effectively.

DEFRA stoves are also designed to be in compliance with strict rules regarding emission of smoke in smoke-controlled areas. These regulations are designed to minimize the amount of particulate matter released into the air when the stove is burning.

The latest DEFRA wood burning stoves are specifically designed to achieve this by using advanced combustion systems that do not restrict the airflow within the firebox. This allows the timber to be burned more efficiently and quickly which decreases the release of particulate matter to the atmosphere. DEFRA stoves also come with a secondary combustion system which reduces emissions further by re-burning unburned combustibles.

Although it is possible to install a non-DEFRA-compliant stove, it will usually require significant changes to the chimney and flue system. This will likely involve an alteration to the structure that could require planning permission. In order to avoid this, we recommend using a DEFRA certified stove when buying a new fireplace or wood-burning stove.

A DEFRA-approved stove will typically also have a 5" flue outlet (125mm). This means you can use 5" vitreous enamel flue liner, which will help you save money on installation costs. This is a good option for those who are budget conscious or where the chimney stack has some difficult bends to navigate.

Reduced Emissions

If you are searching for a wood-burning stove you will come across many terms that may confuse you. The term DEFRA approved or DEFRA exempt stoves means 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 most recent clean burn technology which uses secondary and tertiary burning to produce cleaner air for your home. This reduces fuel consumption, as fuel is burned more efficiently.

The advanced technology used in DEFRA approved wood burning stoves is more environmentally friendly compared to older open stoves or fires. When utilized correctly, the stove made of wood is carbon-neutral since trees absorb carbon dioxide during their growth which is then released back into the atmosphere when they are burned. They are therefore an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels.

The most significant issue when using a wood-burning fireplace is the emission. The smoke produced by a wood-burning stove contains ultra-fine particulates which are known to cause health issues. These particles can cause breathing problems, aggravate asthma symptoms and make you feel sick. They can also increase the risk of heart disease and cancer.

The domestic wood burning industry is now the biggest source of PM2.5 pollution, producing three-times more pollution than road traffic. This is due to the fact that conventional wood stoves do not utilize clean burning technologies. This is why it is crucial to purchase a DEFRA exempt stove if you reside in a zone that is smoke-free, or even if you don't, as they are more beneficial for the environment as well as your chimney.

At Bowland Stoves, we stock a variety of DEFRA approved stoves from leading manufacturers such as Arada, Stovax and Burley. We suggest that you speak to one of our team members for advice if you're not sure which kind of stove is appropriate for your home however, if you do choose a DEFRA approved stove, you can be sure that it will have undergone extensive tests and examinations to make certain it is suitable to be used in Smoke Controlled Areas.