What is the difference between a Defra approved stove?

Author

Andrew Walker

Published Mar 17, 2026

What is the difference between a Defra approved stove?

Generally, a 'Defra Approved' stove has been modified by the manufacturer to limit the amount that it can be 'closed down' or in other words, by how much it can be starved of air which creates smoky combustion.

Considering this, do I need a Defra approved stove?

The answer to this question is simple – if you live in a large city or an urban environment, the chances are that you will require a DEFRA approved wood burning or multi-fuel stove if you want to avoid a hefty £1,000 fine.

Secondly, can you use a wood burner in a smokeless zone? You must use a DEFRA Approved Stove to burn wood in a smoke control area. If you don't have a DEFRA approved stove, you can burn other approved smokeless fuels, but not wood.

Also asked, what does Defra mean?

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

What is an exempt appliance?

An exempt appliance is an appliance such as an oven, boiler or stove which has been specifically exempted to burn unauthorized fuels under the Clean Air Act:1993.

What makes a wood burning stove Defra approved?

A Defra Approved stove, or to give it the correct name, a Defra Smoke Exempt Appliance, is a wood burning stove which has been tested and passed the UK Government's Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) criteria for emission levels and the amount of smoke that it will be allowed to produce during

Are Heta stoves any good?

The stove is very solid (thick steel) and has an excellent efficiency rating (84%). Customers particularly like the clean lines and high efficiency. The Heta 45 is amongst our best selling stoves (Winter 2019) and was third most searched for stove when we look at our search statistics.

Can you burn wood in London?

London is a smokeless zone, meaning that the burning of wood and coal is not permitted. You cannot burn wood or coal in an open fire in London e.g. in a basket or insert fire. However, you can burn smokeless fuel which is manufactured to produce less smoke.

What is an ecodesign stove?

What is Ecodesign? Ecodesign is a European-wide initiative designed to lower emissions from Stoves. In 2015 DEFRA cited Ecodesign as the method it will use to improve efficiency and reduce emissions from solid fuel stoves. Ecodesign is backed by the Mayor of London and DEFRA.

How do I know if I live in a smoke control area?

Get in touch with your local council to find out if you live in a smoke control area, their environmental services department will be able to help you.

What is ecodesign ready?

The SIA Ecodesign Ready scheme is a Stove Industry Alliance initiative, recognised by the government in Defra's Clean Air Strategy, that clearly demonstrates the members of the SIA are committed to meeting the five stringent efficiency and emission limits of the Ecodesign regulations now, rather than waiting for the

Are Clearview stoves Defra approved?

All Clearview stoves provide a very clean burn. All but one of the stoves from the Clearview range are DEFRA approved, and Clearview were the first manufacturer to have a multi fuel stove approved by DEFRA.

Are Clearview stoves eco design ready?

At the time of writing (25 Jan 2019) Clearview Stoves are not Ecodesign Ready. Any stove not Ecodesign ready will be banned from sale following 2022. “A Clearview stove can be used in smokeless zones”: As can many of the competitors.

What is the purpose of Defra?

Defra develops and implements policy on the environment, food and rural issues. It has responsibility for protecting biodiversity, the countryside and the marine environment, and for supporting the growth of a sustainable green economy, including rural communities, and British farming and food production.

Who runs Defra?

George Eustice was appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 13 February 2020.

Who is the head of Defra?

Clare Moriarty

Is my wood burner Defra approved?

The Defra Approved Logo

If you see a stove with this logo and Defra approved in the title or specification it will be an approved appliance for use in a smoke control area when burning approved fuels, ie. wood. Stoves that are Defra approved will sometimes have “SE” after their name, meaning smoke exempt.

What was Defra before?

On its renaming as the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in 1955, it was responsible for agriculture, fisheries and food. Until the Food Standards Agency was created, it was responsible for both food production and food safety, which was seen by some to give rise to a conflict of interest.

Where is defra based London?

The move for departmental and some agency teams to 2 Marsham Street in Westminster, where Home Office and the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) are already based, comes as leases on nearby Ergon House and 9 Millbank end in June. Both buildings are to be redeveloped into residential property.

When was defra founded?

2001

Do Chimineas smoke?

The chiminea will begin to smoke a bit at first but this will soon die down. After burning for about an hour, light a larger fire using logs or wood adding small amounts and small logs at first and building up to larger pieces of wood as the fire builds up its intensity.

Will smokeless coal be banned in UK?

Dry wood will still be legal to burn after 2020. In conclusion, 'house coal' and 'wet wood' will be banned by 2023. But Smokeless fuel and dry wood will not be banned.

Are Chimineas legal?

You can use outdoor barbecues, chimineas, fireplaces or pizza ovens. Any of these appliances that release smoke through a chimney of a building - for example a summerhouse - can only burn authorised fuel or must be exempt.

Can I have a log burner in my house?

Yes. You can install a wood burning stove in properties without a chimney. Stovax has designed a twin-wall flue pipe system – the Stovax Professional XQ™ range – which allows rooms without chimneys to enjoy the benefits of a wood burning stove.

Are wood burners illegal?

Owners of wood burners, stoves and open fires will no longer be able to buy house coal or wet wood, under a ban to be rolled out from next year. Sales of the two most polluting fuels will be phased out in England to help cut air pollution, the government says.

Can you have a fire in your backyard?

Yes. Backyard fire pits are legal as long as they follow the laws and regulations set up by the county they are in. You can even take portable fire pits to campsites or be permitted to build them there. These laws and burn bans are both put into place for the safety of everyone in the area.

Can you burn smokeless fuel in a log burner?

Coal and Wood-burners DO NOT Mix:

Household coal and smokeless fuels should not be burnt in a wood-burner the hint is in the name. There is one elemental difference between a wood-burning and multi-fuel stove, and this lies in the design.

What is classed as smokeless fuel?

Smokeless fuel is a type of solid fuel which either does not emit visible smoke, or emits minimal amounts, during combustion. The term in general is used to refer to solid fuels, such as: anthracite, coke, charcoal and hexamine fuel tablets.

Are logs smokeless fuel?

Wood is not specifically listed as a smokeless fuel, so many people assume they can't burn it in smoke controlled areas. However, by using a DEFRA certified stove (also known as an exempt appliance), good quality, dry wood can be used safely.

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