Why Buying a DEFRA Stove is Important If You Live in a Smoke Control Area
There are many factors that you should consider when buying a wood-burning stove. If you live in a region that has smoke control it is important to choose a DEFRA-approved stove.
DEFRA approved stoves, also known as smoke exempt stoves are multi fuel wood-burning appliances that have been independently tested and proved to produce ultra-low levels of emissions. They can be employed in Smoke Control Areas when burning approved fuels such as lekto night briquettes or heating logs.
Cleaner Burning
Wood burning stoves are becoming more popular because people realize that they can cut down on greenhouse gasses and help save money on electric bills. This is a great benefit for the environment, however it is important that you only burn clean, dry logs in your stove to ensure that emissions levels are as low as possible. You can enjoy your fire and not worry about its impact on the environment if purchase a DEFRA-approved cooking appliance.
A Defra approved appliance (also called a DEFRA Smoke Exempt Appliance) has been inspected to ensure that it complies with the strict government standards for the quantity of smoke that is produced. These stoves are suitable for smoke-controlled environments where the burning of non-approved fuels is prohibited. They also work with a greater variety of fuels compared to other non-Defra approved models.
The Defra logo is typically displayed on the product's pages. The UK government department responsible for DEFRA (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) have strict guidelines about what can be burned in smoke control zones, and a stove that is not approved in these areas could lead to fines. The Defra approval means that you can be confident that your stove is safe to use with authorised fuels in smoke control zones, and it is recommended to verify whether your property is in a Smoke Control Area prior to buying the stove.
The DEFRA woodburner can reduce particulate emissions by as much as 80 percent when compared with older stoves. As a result of the cleaner combustion technology included in these stoves, they have been proven to cut particulate emissions by as much as 80%. This improves the quality of indoor air and reduces the health risks associated with air pollution from contaminated aer.
Better Heat Output

DEFRA stoves have gone through rigorous testing to ensure that they abide by the UK government's strict regulations. Low emissions and high efficiency help to reduce waste. This is not just environmentally green but also means you'll get more heat from your stove and require less wood.
Defra approved stoves are also suitable for use in smoke control areas and can be used with authorised fuels like wood and peat. This is because they've been independently tested and have been proven to burn wood so efficiently that it does not produce smoke. They also come with an air wash system that helps to clean the glass and remove any deposits of tar that have accumulated.
They are efficient in reducing smoke that the UK government has introduced laws to stop burning unauthorised fuel at home. It is illegal to release dark smoke from any chimney, unless it is exempt or burning a fuel approved by the government, such as wood. If you live in a region that has smoke control, you will need a DEFRA-approved stove or Ecodesign-ready wood burner.
Some of our top-selling DEFRA approved stoves include the Stovax Edge. It is a stunning multi-fuel stove with the highest energy output of 5kW. It is designed to be as efficient as it can be and has been awarded the highest quality of environmental standards - ClearSkies 5.
While it's important to understand that DEFRA approval doesn't mean that your stove is energy efficient however, you should choose a model that has a high efficiency ratings when you're choosing one. The greater the efficiency rating the more fuel it will convert into heat, and decrease the cost of heating.
If you're seeking a wood burning stove that is Defra approved design, check out for models that have five" flue outlet, as they'll be able to be used with a 5" liner. This is an excellent option in the event that your chimney stack is not able to accommodate a 6" lining. It could also save you money on installation. Stove Yard Stove Yard has installed a number of Defra approved wood stoves with 5" outlets to accommodate this and found that the customers are pleased because they don't have to pay the cost of upgrading to a bigger chimney liner.
Reduced Emissions
It is essential to make use of a DEFRA-approved stove when you live in an area where smoke control is in place. These stoves are able to burn wood, coal and certain kinds of smokeless fuels, without releasing any smoke. They have been tested for compliance with the strict guidelines established by the government. DEFRA multifuel stoves have become very popular. These stoves are sold through many online retailers as in stores throughout the UK.
The term DEFRA-approved stove is often confused with the more formal description of a DEFRA exempt stove. However, these are two distinct things. The term DEFRA exempt refers to the fact that the stove has been pre-approved by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) so that you are legally able to use certain fuels in your home. If you live in a smoke controlled zone and do not have an DEFRA exempt stove, you will be fined PS1000.
Stoves that have been approved by DEFRA have been able to meet the strict specifications of the Ecodesign Directive. This directive sets the limit of 40 micrograms for each cubic metre the amount of airborne particulates that can be released by the flue gases of a stove during normal operation. In the end, modern, clean burning stoves like those from Arada produce significantly lower levels of particulates. In fact, swapping an old stove for a new one could see you reduce your emissions of particulates by up to 90%!
A Defra-approved stove can burn a variety of fuels such as smokeless coal logs, briquettes and briquettes. It will provide a large level of heat, flames and light from any fuel you decide to burn in it. It will also provide a high level of combustion, which means you will gain the most heat from your fuel as you can.
The primary pollutant released by solid fuels, such as wood, is ultra-fine particle matter (PM2.5) which is more commonly known. It can enter the respiratory system of humans and trigger a range of symptoms, ranging from irritated eyes to worsening asthma symptoms. Switching an older stove to one that is DEFRA approved stove can reduce particulate emissions by up to 80 percent, and replacing an open fire could result in a reduction of up to 90 percent!
Easy Maintenance
There are a variety of aspects to take into consideration when selecting the stove you want to use in your home. Take into consideration the design, material, heat output and much more. If you live in an area that is a Smoke Control Area (SCA), it's important to get a DEFRA-approved stove.
affordable DEFRA stoves approved appliances can burn a wide range of fuels, including smokeless ones and woods and do not emit any noxious smoke. This is because they've been thoroughly tested to ensure that they meet the strict criteria for emissions and smoke levels.
A stove that is Defra-approved is more eco-friendly than previous stove models. This is due to the fact that the newer models are designed with clean burning technology which means that they emit less harmful emissions when you use them. Numerous stove makers, such as Arada, Stovax, and Hi-Flame have created secondary and tertiary burning systems to further reduce the emissions from their stoves, which has decreased the amount of smoke they produce.
A Defra stove will also be easier to maintain. Since they burn more efficiently and efficiently, you'll notice that you don't need to clean the stove or flue system quite often. This will prolong the life of your appliance and keep it running efficiently for a longer period of time.
You may have heard of a DEFRA stove before, but are not sure what it is. A Defra stove is a wood burner that has been approved by the UK government's Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) in order to allow it to be used in Smoke Control Areas. You may have a wood burning stove in your home but it is not Defra approved so you could be breaking the law using it.
Defra stoves aren't just an excellent way to avoid breaking the law but also to save fuel costs and make your neighbours happy. If you have any concerns do not hesitate to contact us at Choice Stoves.