If you're in the market for a new stove for your home, it's important to consider the environmental impact of your choice. A Defra approved stove is a great option for those looking for an eco-friendly heating solution. In this guide, we'll explore the benefits of these eco-stoves and why they're a smart choice for your home. 

Contents

What is a Defra-Approved Stove?
Benefits of Using a Defra Approved Stove
How to Choose the Right Defra Stove for Your Home
Which are the Best Defra Approved Stoves?
How do I Know if I Live in a Smoke Control Area? 
Installation and Maintenance of Defra Stoves
Environmental Impact of Using a Defra Approved Stove

Defra is the UK government's Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs and as you’ll gather from the name they handle lots of important regulations and policies involving the environment.

A Defra approved stove is a wood-burning stove that has been tested and certified to meet the UK government’s strict environmental standards, these stoves can legally be fitted in a smoke control area and burn wood. If a stove is Defra Approved it qualifies it to be exempt from the requirements of the Clean Air Act. Defra stoves are designed to burn wood more efficiently, producing less smoke and harmful emissions. They are also more energy-efficient, meaning they use less wood to produce the same amount of heat as an older-generation stove or open fire. By choosing a Defra-approved stove, you can reduce your carbon footprint and help protect the environment.  

You’ll find Defra credentials listed on all the approved stoves we supply, it can be a very important factor when choosing which stove to buy so we list this information clearly on our website. Using unauthorised fuels can incur penalties and fines of £1000 if you do not use an exempt appliance so it is essential if you live in a smoke controlled area that you buy a Defra stove.

There are many benefits to using a Defra approved stove in your home. Firstly, they are much more eco-friendly than older generation stoves and open fires and they offer the latest clean burning tech. Leading stove manufacturers such as Arada, Burley, Parkray & Stovax are continuously improving their products, secondary and tertiary combustion systems have been introduced help to reduce emissions and lower the carbon footprint of the user.

You’ll find some Defra-approved stoves have their top air control modified which prevents you from closing it all the way. Closing off the air supply to a stove reduces the air level to a point that will hinder the combustion of the fuel. When the air supply to a log burner is reduced too much the firewood will begin to smoulder and this means your fuel is not burning efficiently, you’ll produce more smoke which means more emissions. Always remember that a stove is only as good as the wood it burns, so look out for the Ready to Burn certification mark, this will ensure the logs you are buying are dry to burn and suitable for immediate use on your log burner.

Stoves that are Defra-Approved will sometimes be referred to as Smoke Exempt stoves or ‘SE’ for short so look out for this if you’re in the market for a Defra approved wood burner. When choosing a stove for your home there are several factors to consider from the physical size of the heater to the fuel it uses and the kW output it will provide your room.

1. Heat Output - You need to think about the size of the stove and whether it will be able to heat the space you need it to. We offer a host of top-rated stoves with heat outputs starting at 3kW up to 10kW or more. A further consideration is that if you require a stove that has a heat rating of over 5kW you’ll need to ensure adequate ventilation so the log burner can work at its best.
2. Style - You should also consider the style of the stove and whether it will fit in with the décor of your home. If you’re installing a stove into an existing fireplace chamber or inglenook there are some fantastic traditionally styled options to choose from. Alternatively, there are lots of modern Defra approved stoves that look great without a fireplace surround or mantle.
3. Fuel Type - The type of fuel that a stove uses is an important factor, lots of Defra-approved stoves are dedicated wood burners so don’t offer the option of burning smokeless coal. Multi-fuel Defra stoves are available but you’ll find your options are more limited.
4. Budget - Finally, you should consider the cost of the stove and whether it fits within your budget. By taking these factors into account, you can choose the right Defra-approved stove for your home and enjoy all of the benefits that it has to offer.

Here you’ll find our most popular Defra-approved stoves! You’ll find some of these wood burners have also been recommended and reviewed by the likes of The Independent, Which? & Trustpilot. With over 20 years of product knowledge and experience in the stove industry, we’ve included the products that our Hetas-trained staff highly recommend you consider for your home.

Most smoke control areas reside within built-up urban towns and cities. If you are unsure whether you live in a smoke-controlled zone you can contact your local authority or check out the interactive map on the government website. This interactive tool allows you to explore the location of Smoke Control Areas and exemptions but it is restricted to England only.

Once you have chosen and purchased your Defra-approved stove, it is important to ensure that it is installed and maintained correctly. It is recommended that you have your stove installed by a professional to ensure that it is safe and efficient. A benefit of buying a Defra exempt stove is that it can be fitted with a 5” chimney liner when burning wood (the stove must also have a 5” flue size); if a stove is not Defra approved you will need to increase the flue liner diameter to a minimum of 6” this can often be too big for UK chimneys.

Regular maintenance is also important to ensure that your stove continues to work effectively and efficiently. This includes cleaning the stove regularly, checking the flue and chimney for blockages, and ensuring that the stove is properly ventilated. By taking care of your Defra approved stove, you can enjoy its benefits for many years to come.

Using a Defra-approved stove can have a positive impact on the environment. These stoves are designed to burn wood and other fuels more efficiently, which means that they produce less smoke and emissions. This can help to reduce air pollution and improve air quality in your local area. In addition, using a Defra approved stove can help to reduce your carbon footprint, as wood is a renewable and sustainable fuel source. By choosing a Defra approved stove, you can enjoy the warmth and comfort of a fire while also doing your part to protect the environment.