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Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner

Smoke Control Areas are the most common classification for UK towns and cities. If you reside in a Smoke Control Zone and would like to install an appliance, you'll require a Defra approved stove. You can recognise them by their Defra approved logo.

Exempt stoves from Defra are constructed to prevent the flame from burning, which reduces the amount of smoke that is produced. They also burn fuel more efficiently.

What is a Defra Exempt Stove?

A Defra Exempt Stove is a wood-burning heating appliance for domestic use that has passed the tests established by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Defra Exempt Label is only used for stoves that have been tested independently, and that meet the strictest standards for emissions. The stoves that are Defra Exempt are safe for use in Smoke Control Areas.

You cannot burn wood without a DEFRA-approved stove when you live in an area where smoke is controlled. If helpful resources install a non-DEFRA-approved stove in a smoke control area you'll be in violation of the Clean Air Act and could be prosecuted.

From the outside, there is no difference between the Defra approved stove and one that has not been given this status. However, there are some things that stove manufacturers do in order to ensure that their appliances are DEFRA Exempt. The DEFRA approved stoves have burners that aren't designed to deprive flames of oxygen. This can cause them to smolder or emit excessive amounts of smoke.

To avoid this, stove manufacturers usually adjust the air vent at the top of the Defra approved stove. This will stop you from closing the vent completely down, as it will cut off the flow of air to the fire. The adjustment is typically an insignificant screw located inside the front of the stove, beneath the stove's base or on the back of the oven.

Stoves that are exempt from Defra exemptions can also be multifuel stoves, and can be used to burn wood, as well as other fuels. This is a great choice if you live in an area that is designated as a Smoke Control Zone, but don't want the restrictions of only using fuels that are approved. Some stoves with Defra exemptions can be equipped with five" liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer doesn't demand a bigger size). This is great news for people who are planning on installing woodburning stoves in their homes but are worried about local regulations on smoke.

What are the benefits of a Defra approved stove?

In addition to ensuring compliance with local regulations and offering a warm cosy fire, Defra approved stoves can provide many other advantages. For instance, they are likely to be more efficient in energy use than stoves that are not Defra approved and therefore reduce the amount of carbon that is produced when they are used. This can lead to substantial savings on your heating bills. Additionally, Defra approved stoves are typically more user-friendly than non-approved stoves and can be fitted with simple controls.

When purchasing a wood-burning or multi-fuel stove, there are a variety of different aspects to take into consideration, such as your needs for heating, aesthetic preferences, and long-term goals. It is important to take these factors into consideration when selecting a stove. Choosing for a defra exempt stove is a great option for those who live in smoke controlled areas. They are eco-friendly and have been tested rigorously.

In addition to complying with environmental standards, Defra approved stoves are also designed to offer superior combustion and flame spread. This ensures that the fuel is burned evenly and produces a pleasant, consistent flame. In addition, they tend to be more durable than non-Defra approved stoves, meaning they will last longer and endure higher temperatures.

The majority of Defra-approved stoves allow to use a 5 " liner for chimneys, which is perfect for homes located in areas that are smoke-free. It is crucial to keep in mind that if you intend to use your stove with damp wood or other fuels that are damp the stove will still emit toxic fumes that could lead to prosecution by the local authority.

In order to achieve Defra approval, stove manufacturers are required to make modifications to the stove in order to limit the amount of air it will be deprived of during the process of burning. The air control at the top is typically modified to prevent the entire closing. If you shut off the air supply too much, it can cause the stove to smoulder instead of burning properly. This will lead to an unpleasant smell of smoke.

What is the difference between a Defra-approved stove and a non-Defra-approved stove?

A defra-approved stove will allow burning wood legally within a Smoke Control Area. However, nondefra-exempt stoves will not. Stoves that have been approved by Defra have passed tests that prove they can burn wood safely and efficiently in smoke-controlled areas without producing excessive amounts of smoke. If you live in an area that is smoke controlled, you can make use of your new stove without fear of fines.

A stove that is approved by Defra is more energy efficient than other types that produce more heat and emitting less harmful emissions into the atmosphere. This makes them a good choice for homeowners who want to save money on heating costs and are concerned about the environment.

Stoves that have been Defra-approved will be advertised with the Defra Approved Logo that has been adopted by stove manufacturers. You can also determine if a stove is Defra exempt by examining the specifications or looking on the website of the manufacturer for information about it.


There are a variety of styles to choose from when choosing a Defra-approved stove. Some are more traditional and look beautiful in an old fireplace chamber, or inglenook. Others are more modern in style and will look great in a contemporary living space.

It is also important to ensure that the stove you pick is Defra exempt by making sure that it is on DEFRA's list of approved appliances or by ensuring that it's got the DEFRA exemption logo. Many manufacturers advertise their stoves as being Defra exempt even though they have not been tested to prove that they are. It is easier to sell a Clean Burn stove than to test and go through the cost of becoming Defra exempt.

A stove that is Defra exempt will guarantee that the wood used to fuel it is sustainable that has been properly seasoned, dried and seasoned before it is burned. This means that it is less likely to produce large amounts of smoke, which is beneficial to the environment and also helps keep chimneys and flue systems clean for longer.

What is the difference between an exempt stove that is Defra-compliant and a non-Defra exempt stove?

You will need to consider a number of aspects when selecting the best stove for your home. These include style as well as heat output and fuel type. You may be aware that a number of the wood burning and multi fuel stoves available on our website are listed as DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. This is jargon that to the average homeowner might seem like nothing more than a marketing jargon however, it can have extremely important implications for those who live in smoke controlled areas.

To ensure compliance with the laws against the sale of wood within Smoke Control Areas Defra exempted wood burners have an internal mechanism that prevents you from closing the air supply valve completely. If you cut down the air flow to the fire in excess it can cause the wood to smolder, and produce excess smoke. This is in violation of the law. To prevent this from happening make sure that the wood is kiln-dried prior to use in the stove.

You can also use a DEFRA exempt wood burner within a Smoke Control Area if you only burn approved fuels listed on the DEFRA website. These include gas, semi-anthracite and anthracite as well as steam coal with low volatile. If you install a non-DEFRA stove in your house and burn wet wood or other fuels that are not on DEFRA's list, you could be subject to an amount of fine up to PS1000.

Even if you're not in a Smoke Control Area a DEFRA exempted wood stove is a good option. They are more environmentally friendly and neighbor-friendly since they are able to operate without generating polluting smoke. They are also more efficient, and will keep your chimney system and flue cleaner for a longer period of time. However, it should be noted that by 2022 all new stoves must comply with the more stringent Ecodesign regulations that set minimum efficiencies OGV and NOX ceilings, and have emission limits which are considerably higher than those currently in use for DEFRA exempt appliances.

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