What is a Defra Approved Stove?

A defra-approved stove is a wood burning stove that has been tested and approved by the UK Government's Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. This allows stoves to be used in Smoke Control Areas in the UK.

Defra is an English government department that is responsible for environmental protection as well as food production and standards agriculture, as well as a thriving countryside economy. Defra has also created robust protocols for managing notifiable illnesses.

Approved by Defra

Defra approved stoves, also known as Defra smoke exempt stoves are wood burning and multi fuel stoves that satisfy the emission standards of the government for use in Smoke Control Areas. These new standards do not prohibit the use of wood stoves in these areas, but only limit the amount of smoke they produce when in operation.

At ESSE we are pleased to offer a wide range of DEFRA stoves ratings-approved stoves from leading manufacturers including Arada, Burley, Parkray and Stovax. All of our Defra-approved stoves feature the latest in technology for defra list stoves clean burning. This means that they have secondary and secondary combustion systems that help to reduce emissions, resulting in less smoke emitted from the chimney and leaving a smaller environmental footprint.

Defra approved disinfectants can be used to clean and disinfect surfaces, such as structures, farm equipment, crates and vehicles. The Defra approved disinfectants list is maintained by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), which charges a fee to approve new back-to-back approval trade names used for disinfectants. APHA can also test a product's efficacy any time. The results can be added to the list of approved disinfectants, defra list stoves without the requirement to submit an actual sample.

Approved for Smoke Control Areas

A lot of areas in the UK are classified as Smoke Control Areas, meaning you are only allowed to burn fuels that are approved or appliances exempt from the regulations. This is in order to reduce air pollution from burning unauthorised fuels, which can cause nuisance smoke and ash build up. To avoid violating the law or being penalized, you must burn wood logs using an approved DEFRA stove, fire or fireplace. Stovax offer a variety of wood and multi-fuel fireplaces, stoves, and fires that are DEFRA approved for use in Smoke Control Areas.

The stoves have passed the strict DEFRA emissions tests and are able to meet the minimal smoke levels allowed in Smoke Control Areas. They can be used with a variety of fuels, including logs, semi-anthracite and anthracite coal, briquettes, or manufactured smokeless fuels, such as heat logs. They can also be used to burn gas, electricity or steam coal that is low volatile or any combination of these. On the DEFRA website, you can get a complete list of approved fuels.

Look for the DEFRA Logo on the manufacturer's website or in their showrooms when you are looking for the stove. If the stove is marked with the DEFRA logo then you are aware that the stove is Defra approved for use in smoke controlled zones and is able to use wood to cook in these areas. You'll still need to use an appropriate chimney liner, however the narrower 5kW stoves are usually simpler and less expensive to install than larger models because they can be used with a 5" twin wall stainless steel liner instead of the standard 6" liner.

If you do not have an DEFRA approved stove, you might be able to obtain an approval from your local authority to use non-approved fuels in your home. You'll need to check the DEFRA website to determine whether you qualify for an exemption. There are guidelines to follow for example, having a smoke detector installed. You will also need to comply with the rules for Smoke Control Areas if you have a garden chiminea or BBQ.

Approved for Smokeless Fuels

To be approved by Defra wood burners must be able to burn smokeless fuels that are approved by the government without producing excessive emissions. These fuels are commonly called 'Smokeless Coal' or 'Heat Logs and have passed stringent tests to ensure that they meet the requirements set out by Defra for Smoke Control Areas. These fuels are a great alternative to logs made from real wood because they are less smoky and produce less smoke than traditional logs.

Before the smoke control zones were put in place residents were able to burn whatever they wanted. This caused air pollution and health problems for people who lived in urban areas. Since the rules were put in place, Defra has worked to reduce the amount of pollution in these areas by regulating what can be burned in fireplaces and stoves.

If you reside in a smoke-free zone, then it's crucial that your stove is Defra approved to ensure that you don't risk paying huge fines for breaking the rules. Even if you do not reside in a smoke-free area, investing in a defra-exempt stove is worth it. They are better for your chimney system as well as the environment.

Defra approves wood burning stoves as well as multi fuel stoves that have been tested for conformity with the UK's Smoke Control Areas legislation. When buying a new stove, make sure that it has the Defra approval badge so that you can be certain that it complies with the requirements of the law.

There are two main methods to get DEFRA List Stoves approved. One way is to make your stove and the fuels Defra approved by having them tested, which is very expensive. The other way is to purchase an Defra approved stove and only make use of Defra approved fuels in it. This is less expensive, but it is still best to check with your local council if you are not sure if you reside in an area that is a Smoke Control Area.

In England The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is responsible for environmental protection and controls for air quality. It also represents the United Kingdom at international negotiations regarding agricultural, environmental and fisheries issues. The department was created in 2001 as a result of the merger of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF), the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) and is a part of the Home Office. It is overseen by an appointed cabinet member who is accountable to the Prime Minister and other members of the cabinet.

Approved for Multi-fuel Stoves

DEFRA approved stoves are tested to ensure low emissions and high efficiency. These stoves are suitable for areas with no smoke and can be used to burn logs, coal and wood. They come in a variety of styles and sizes and can be freestanding or inset. They are the ideal stove for those who wish to save money on heating bills and reduce their carbon footprint.

The Defra Logo is easily recognizable and is widely used by the industry. It is often seen on the title and specification sheets of many stoves, and signifies that the appliance is capable of burning authorised fuels in areas that are smoke-controlled. Some stoves may also feature the SE (smoke-exempt) logo which means that they are legal to use in a smoke-controlled space when burning approved fuels.

Wood burning stoves that have been inspected by Defra feature the latest technology for clean combustion and are typically more efficient. A number of top stove makers like Arada, Burley, Parkray and Stovax have developed secondary and tertiary combustion systems to enhance the efficiency of their stoves.

If you live in a smoke-free zone and are not using a DEFRA approved stove, then you could be penalized up to PS1000. To avoid this, make sure that your stove is DEFRA approved before buying it.

A DEFRA approved stove is the best option to warm your home whilst being eco-friendly. A DEFRA approved wood burning stove will help you save on your energy bills and also prevent smoke from affecting neighbours. You're sure find the perfect DEFRA-approved wood burning or multifuel stove for your home. There are even a few models that are both DEFRA approved and Eco Design 2022 compliant to provide you with the best of both worlds! Explore the selection and see what's available.