What is a Defra Approved Stove?
A defra-approved stove is a wood-burning stove that has been approved by the UK Government Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. This permits them to use in Smoke Control Areas within the UK.
Defra is an English government department, is responsible for the environment, food production standards, agriculture and a thriving rural economy. Defra has also created robust protocols for managing notifiable illnesses.
Approved by Defra
Defra approved stoves, also referred as Defra smoke-free 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 restrict the amount of smoke they can produce while operating.
We are proud to offer an extensive range of defra approved stoves from top manufacturers like Arada, Burley Parkray, and Stovax. All of our Defra approved stoves offer the most recent clean burning technology. They feature secondary and tertiary systems that cut down on emissions. This means less smoke coming out of the chimney and leaves a less carbon-based footprint.
Defra approved products can be used to clean and disinfect hard surfaces like farm equipment, buildings, and vehicles. The Animal and Plant Health Agency maintains the Defra approved list of disinfectants. They charge a fee to obtain new back-to-back approvals of trade names. APHA can also test the effectiveness of a disinfectant at any time. The results can be added to the list of approved disinfectants, without the requirement to submit samples.
Approved for Smoke Control Areas
A lot of areas in the UK are classified as Smoke Control Areas, meaning you can only burn authorised fuels or exempt appliances. This is to lessen air pollution that can be caused by burning unauthorised fuels which can cause nuisance smoke and ash. To avoid violating the law or being penalized, you must burn wood logs in a DEFRA-approved stove, fire, or fireplace. Stovax offers a variety of multi-fuel stoves, wood, fireplaces and fires that are DEFRA-approved for use in Smoke Control Areas.
The stoves have passed the strict DEFRA approved British stoves emissions tests and are able to meet the minimum levels of smoke that are permitted in Smoke Control Areas. They can be used to burn various fuels, including logs, semi-anthracite or anthracite briquettes, and manufactured smokeless fuels such as heat logs. They can also be used to burn gas, electricity, steam coal with low volatile, or a combination of these. You can find a list of all the approved fuels on the DEFRA website.
When selecting a stove to your home, look out for the DEFRA logo that can be seen on the website of the manufacturer or at their showrooms. If the stove is stamped with the logo, you can be sure that it has been approved by DEFRA lawful stoves for use in smoke-controlled areas and can be used to burn wood within these zones. You will still need a suitable chimney lining, but the smaller 5kW stoves can be fitted with a 5″ twin-wall stainless steel liner rather than the standard 6″ liner.
If you don’t have an DEFRA approved stove, you may be able to obtain a licence from your local authority to burn unapproved fuels in your home. You’ll need to go to the DEFRA website to determine whether you are eligible for an exemption. There are specific rules that must be followed like having a smoke detector installed. It is also important to note that if you own an open fire, barbecue or garden chiminea, you’ll have to adhere to the same rules as Smoke Control Areas.
Approved for Smokeless Fuels
To be approved by Defra, wood burners need to be able burn smokeless fuels authorised by the government, without generating excessive emissions. These fuels are often called ‘Smokeless Coal’ or “Heat Logs and have passed stringent tests to ensure that they meet the standards laid by Defra for Smoke Control Areas. These fuels are a great alternative to real logs as they are less smoky and produce less smoke than seasoned logs.
Before the rules for smoke control areas were put in place, residents could burn whatever they wanted, which caused an abundance of air pollution which resulted in health issues for those living in built-up areas. Since the rules were put in place, Defra has worked to reduce the amount of pollutants in these areas by regulating what can be burned in stoves and fireplaces.
If you live in a smoke controlled zone, then it’s crucial that your stove is Defra approved so that you don’t have to pay huge fines for breaking the rules. Even if you don’t reside in a smoking-controlled area buying a defra-exempt stove is worth it. They are safer for your chimney system and the environment.
Defra has approved wood-burning stoves as well as multi-fuel stoves that have passed the UK Smoke Control Areas legislation. When you purchase a new stove, make sure it is equipped with the Defra approval badge so that you can be certain that it complies with the necessary legislation.
There are two main ways to become Defra approved. The first way to become Defra-approved is to have the stove and fuels tested. This is an extremely expensive process. You can also purchase a Defra-approved stove and use only Defra-approved fuels. This can be cheaper however it is recommended to inquire with your local council if are unsure if you are in a Smoke Control Area.
In England in England, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is responsible for environmental protection and control for air quality. It also represents the United Kingdom in international negotiations on fisheries, agriculture and environmental matters. The department was created in 2001 when it was merged with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions and a portion of the Home Office. The department is managed by a cabinet member who reports directly to the Prime Minister.
Approved for Multi Fuel Stoves
DEFRA approved stoves have been tested for low emissions and high efficiency. These stoves can be used in smoke exempt areas and can burn various types of fuel including wood, coal, and logs. They are available in a range of sizes and styles and can be either freestanding or inset. They are perfect for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on heating bills.
The Defra Logo is easily identifiable and widely used in the industry. It is typically seen on the title and specification sheets of a variety of stoves, and signifies that the stove is able to burn authorized fuels in smoke-controlled areas. Some stoves will also have the SE (smoke-exempt) logo which means they can be installed legally in a smoke-controlled area when burning approved fuels.
Wood burning stoves that have been inspected by Defra offer the latest in clean combustion technology and are generally more efficient. Many top stove makers, such as Arada Burley Parkray Stovax, have developed secondary and third-generation combustion systems to boost the efficiency of their stoves.
If you reside in an area where smoking is controlled and you’re not using a DEFRA-approved cooking appliance you could be subject to a fine of up to PS1000. To avoid this, you should ensure that the stove is DEFRA compliant stoves list (my latest blog post) approved prior to purchasing it.
A DEFRA approved stove is the best option to warm your home whilst being environmentally friendly. A DEFRA approved wood burning stove can help you save money on your energy bills, and also prevent smoke from affecting neighbours. There’s a wide selection of wood burning and multifuel stoves that are premium DEFRA stoves approved which means you’re bound to find the right one for your home. You can even find a few models that are DEFRA approved and Eco Design 2022 compliant to give you the best of both worlds! Browse the range to discover what’s on offer.