The Benefits of DEFRA Exempt Wood Burners
DEFRA approved wood burning stoves are a great option for homeowners who live within smoke control areas. These particular log burners have been tested thoroughly and are able to function within the strict guidelines.
Stoves that are approved will have the letter 'SE', which stands for Smoke Exempt. They are only permitted to be used in areas with smoke control when burning Defra-approved fuels such as wood or manufactured smokeless fuels.
Smoke Exempt
DEFRA exempt wood burning stoves, or Defra approved stoves are designed to conform to the Department of Environment's (DEFRA) regulations. These stoves have been tested and inspected to ensure that they use fuel more efficiently and generate very little or no smoke. They emit low levels of emissions and their efficiency of combustion permits them to re-burn partially burned combustibles such as ash and soot before they escape up your chimney.
If you live in an area that is classified as a Smoke-Control Area and you live in a Smoke-Control Area, it is crucial that your stove be DEFRA exempt. It should also allow you to use fuels that are authorised. DEFRA guidelines stoves from your chimney is a crime when you don't use an appliance exempt from the law, or fuels that have been approved. Exempted Defra stoves are better for your chimney as they burn fuel more efficiently and produce less smoke. The chimney and flue will stay cleaner longer.
We have a great range of Defra exempt stoves made by the top manufacturers in the world including Stovax and Arada. We only provide the highest quality products, so you can be sure that your new stove will be a safe and efficient addition to your home.
There is a popular misconception that you need to buy a Defra exempt stove if you reside in a zone of smoke control however this isn't the situation. You can still install a non-DEFRA fireplace in your home, provided it has a 6" (150mm) flue liner and is only made use of briquettes that are approved by the government.
We suggest that you select a Defra approved model if you wish to be sure that you can use wood legally in your DEFRA-exempt stove. The stoves we offer were designed to meet UK standards for environmental protection. They have been tested and approved as DEFRA exempt. This means that they emit very little smoke. They are also more efficient than older models, so you can heat the property with fewer wood logs. Our range of Defra stoves is available in a variety of colours and styles, so you're sure to find the ideal model for your home.
Clean Burn
Wood-burning stoves and open fires can produce smoke that can be hazardous to the health of people living in your home as well in the area. This is because the fine particles that make up the smoke can cause respiratory issues such as asthma. Fortunately, modern DEFRA exempt stoves have been designed to drastically reduce these harmful effects.
The wood burners have been thoroughly tested and scrutinized to ensure they are in compliance with Department of Environment regulations. These stoves are designed to burn fuel more effectively which means less pollutants. They also display a clear vapour coming out of the chimney, instead of the dark smoke common with older stoves that burn logs and open fires.
These modern DEFRA-exempt stoves have secondary and tertiary mechanisms that are responsible for the lower smoke particles. This means that the air within the combustion chamber is always being circulated, which makes it far more difficult for the particles to escape the chimney.
This also means that you are able to only burn authorised fuels on your DEFRA exempt wood stove (such as dry seasoned firewood). These modern stoves have an airflow system that keeps the combustion chamber clean, reducing soot and allowing gas to escape easily from the flue.
In reality, a new DEFRA approved wood stove fitted with an EcoDesign baffle will produce around 350 times less pollution than a traditional open fire or a traditional log burning stove according to Defra. Installing one of these efficient, modern stoves in a Smoke-Control Area is essential to safeguard both your health and the health of your neighbors.
Alternatively, you can install an DEFRA Approved multi-fuel stove and utilize a variety fuels including peat, briquettes and other kinds of manufactured solid fuel which can be purchased at supermarkets. However, it is recommended to only use dry 'Ready to Burn' seasoned wood and do not burn treated or painted timber as these will produce more pollution than untreated wood.
Easy Maintenance
A DEFRA exempt wood burning stove is easy to maintain, with regular cleaning and maintenance routine which will ensure that it lasts longer. These stoves are also extremely efficient, allowing you to save money on heating bills as well as reducing consumption of fuel by up to 50 percent. The emissions produced by these stoves are also far lower than other types of stoves. They also are a greener alternative for fossil fuels.
They can be easily installed and are suitable for a variety of homes, particularly in urban areas. They have passed the Defra tests which means that you can use them legally in smoke control zones without violating the law or committing an expensive fine.
Defra-approved wood stoves may also be more affordable to operate than other stove models, due to their sophisticated combustion technology that ensures that the fire burns efficiently. This means that there are fewer particles and carbon monoxide being released into the air, which is great news for your health and the health of your family members.
Additionally, the DEFRA exempt stoves have been inspected by a variety of initiatives like the Clearskies scheme and Ecodesign This means that they meet stringent emission and efficiency standards. These certifications are listed on the stoves we sell, and provide you with confidence that you are buying eco-friendly and safe model.
You can find a wide variety of Defra exempt stoves at Stoves Direct, including many traditional styles that are perfect for an inglenook fireplace or fireplace chamber. We also have modern, sleek designs that go well with simple mantles or surrounds. If you're thinking of purchasing one our Defra-exempt wood burning stoves, it's crucial to think about the style you'd like to see for your home, and how it will blend with the decor.
You can only use an exempt stove that is Defra-compliant in a Smoke Control Area. This will help you save money if you're caught with a wood-burning fire. The stove is also a great choice for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint. The wood from the tree absorbs CO2 during its growth and releases it back into the air when burned.

Perfect for Smoke Control Areas
It is crucial to have a stove that burns wood that is DEFRA-approved for use in UK cities and towns. This means it has passed rigorous tests and is legal to use in these areas. These tests ensure the air isn't contaminated by the combustion particles generated by the stove. These toxins can lead to the dark smoke visible from chimneys within smoke zones of control. They are harmful to health and can be a nuisance to neighbours.
Local councils have therefore enacted laws to tackle the issue by prohibiting the use of open fireplaces and appliances that are not exempt from DEFRA. However, the good news is that you can still install an appliance in your home, provided it is DEFRA exempt and you burn fuel that is approved for burning.
Stoves that have been approved for use in Smoke Control Areas will be marked and tested to ensure that they meet or exceed the strict emission and efficiency standards. Defra-exempt stoves are also more environmentally friendly than other kinds of woodburners since they use advanced secondary and tertiary burning systems that reduce their carbon footprint.
The simplest way to find out whether you live in a smoke control area is to contact your local council and ask them for more information. You can also determine by looking up your home's postcode online, although it is recommended to check your local council website to find out more in-depth information since every district of the UK might be different.
Even if you don't live in a Smoke Control Area, a Defra exempt wood burning stove is a wise choice as it's more sustainable and friendly to neighbours. It will also usually mean that your chimney and flue system is cleaner for a longer period of time, as a Defra approved stove will produce significantly less smoke than traditional stoves. For this reason, most leading stove manufacturers such as Arada, Burley, Parkray and Stovax have a range of smokeless models that are DEFRA exempt and won't be affected by the new legislation.