Defra Approved Wood Stoves
If you are in the UK smoke control area (most cities and towns) then you'll require a DEFRA approved stove to avoid violating the law. These Defra Smoke Exempt Appliances are designed to ensure that wood or multi-fuels are burned without releasing excessive amounts of smoke.
Cleaner Burning

The most advanced combustion technology is utilized to reduce emissions and smoke in Defra-exempt stoves or "clean burning" wood burners. Wood stoves accomplish this by using preheated secondary (hotter) air to burn fuel more efficiently, and reduce harmful particulates that are emitted into atmosphere. The result is an efficient, cleaner fire that emits less smoke and is a more effective heating system.
Alongside enhancing the efficiency of the stove, modern wood stoves have been designed to be more gentle to your chimney and flue system. They don't produce as much creosote like their predecessors, which means you can keep your chimney and flue system in good condition for a longer time.
If you live in a zone of smoke control (most large towns and cities) and you are in a smoke control area, you must make use of a Defra approved stove or wood burner in order to avoid breaking the laws and risking an expensive fine. However, even if are not in a Smoke Control Area it is still advisable to buy a Defra Approved stove as they produce less smoke, but also help reduce your heating costs and carbon footprint too.
In the past, many manufacturers made wood stoves that were extremely dirty and performed poorly in comparison to their EPA (U.S Environmental Protection Agency) emissions ratings. This was due to a range of factors, including the choice and sizing of the stove and fireplace and the way in which wood was stored, managed and burnt and the operation of the stove.
Nowadays, all new wood stoves have to meet a higher standard of EPA emissions than their non-certified predecessors. The most recent wood stoves, such as the Vermont Castings Defiant and Encore NC 1450, have an EPA rating of less than 1 gram per hour.
Wood stoves offer plenty of potential for improvement. In fact, Norwegian research institute SINTEF estimates that if all older stoves were replaced by modern ones that met the Defra standards, then a few billion tons of climate forcers could be saved each year.
Reduced Emissions
The new DEFRA approved wood burning stoves we stock here at Stove Supermarket use the latest clean burn technology to ensure that they are able to combust solid fuel and smokeless coal at a lower temperature of combustion. This means they produce considerably less harmful emissions than earlier models, allowing you to legally use your stove in a smoke-control area.
The primary pollutant produced from burning solid fuels is fine particulate matter (PM2.5). These tiny particles are so tiny that they can get into the human respiratory system, and cause health problems including stroke and heart disease. Researchers from the University of Sheffield published a study that showed wood-burning stoves can release high levels of particle size PM2.5 into the home. The harmful particles were at their highest level each time the stove was turned on to replenish fuel.
DEFRA approved wood-burning stoves feature an air-wash system which keeps the glass clear of ash and soot. This keeps your stove looking like new for a longer period of time and cuts down on maintenance costs and time spent cleaning the stove.
While the advantages of a wood burner are a fact, the decision to buy a stove that allows you to legally burn wood in a Smoke Control Area is a significant one. In the past, people could choose to burn wood however they wanted, which resulted in unhealthy levels of pollution in cities and towns.
In DEFRA regulations stoves , a Defra Approved Stove will be the only choice for homeowners looking to use their fire in a legal manner. If you're thinking of purchasing a new wood-burning stove or replacing your old open fire stove, an Defra Approved Stove from a reputable manufacturer will offer the best solution for compliance with smoke control regulations.
Stove Supermarket offers a wide selection of Defra-approved Wood Burning Stoves made by top brands like Arada, Burley, and Parkray. You can pick the model that is best for you. Our Defra Approved stoves are all Ecodesign certified and come with a an Defra Certificate of Conformity, so you can be confident that your new woodburning stove will meet the latest standards for use in smoke control areas.
High Efficiency
This will lower your carbon footprint as well as your energy bills. This is especially important as the price of electricity and gas continues to increase. By switching to a defra approved wood stove, you can begin to reclaim some control over your household costs and save money in the long run.
A Defra approved wood stove is compliant with the Government's regulations concerning smoke-free zones, so you can use it in smoke exempt zones. If you spot a stove that bears the words Defra Approved or the word 'SE' in its title, it means that it meets the strict requirements set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
They can produce less particulate emissions than the older versions of wood burners and open fires. The most recent stoves from top manufacturers such as Arada, Burley, Parkray and Stovax all come with secondary and tertiary combustion methods that reduce the total emissions from the stove. A lot of these stoves that burn wood are also SIA EcoDesign Ready, meaning they are more environmentally friendly than DEFRA Approved and will be able meet future emission goals.
In addition to being more eco-friendly, as well as being more environmentally responsible, a Defra approved stove will burn your wood much more efficiently than older stoves or open fires. This will result in much lower levels of particulate emission which is a great thing for those who live in smoke control areas. A DEFRA-approved stove will also help keep your fuel costs down. You will save money if you use a stove which can burn more wood in an hour than a fireplace.
A Defra Approved stove is an excellent option for any homeowner who wants to be eco-friendly and cut energy bills while at the same time. These stoves are not only efficient and clean, but they also come in a variety of styles to suit your aesthetic preferences.
Certification by the EPA
If you reside in a region where smoke is not controlled, you will require an approved DEFRA stove to burn wood in your home. Defra is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which handles regulations pertaining to environmental and rural issues. The Smoke Control Area Regulations prohibit the emission dark smoke from chimneys, unless using an exempt appliance, or authorized fuels like smokeless coal. Only approved stoves from Defra can be used legally in these areas, without breaking the law or committing a fine up to PS1,000.
The best way to make sure you purchase a smoke controlled stove is to search for the EPA 2020 certification label. This signifies that the stove has passed rigorous tests to to say it can be used in a smoke control area. The stove will also be rated an efficient burner, which means that it delivers maximum heat with less fuel. This efficiency can save homeowners money on heating costs and will reduce the amount of wood needed to heat their homes.
Another important consideration is whether it is a Defra approved wood burning stove has been constructed with eco-friendly features. The Country 4 BLU is a perfect example of an Defra approved stove that incorporates many environmentally conscious features. It is designed to meet or exceed the 2022 Ecodesign standard, which means it emits very low levels of emissions and reduces its environmental impact. This means a healthier, greener operation for everyone. It also makes your chimney and flue systems more secure.
A Defra approved wood-burning stove can give you many benefits aside from being in compliance with UK government smoke control regulations. These stoves help reduce pollution through complying with strict emission standards. This is helpful for people who suffer from sensitive lungs. They also have longer burn times, which translate into significant cost saving through reduced wood consumption and lower fuel costs. When combined with a high-efficiency heating system, these stoves are the perfect option for anyone who wants to make a responsible and green choice for their home.