Is Defra Approved Log Burner As Important As Everyone Says?

· 6 min read
Is Defra Approved Log Burner As Important As Everyone Says?

Defra Approved Log Burner

The Defra-approved log burner is a preferred option for homeowners. This is due to the fact that they offer an easier burn and provide greater control over heating expenses.

You can also use wood legally in Smoke Control Areas, which is a huge advantage because it helps you avoid fines that are imposed on people who use stoves that are not approved. They are available in many styles that will fit in with any type of home.

Clean Burn Technology

Clean burn technology is utilized in log burners that are defra-approved to reduce the amount and kind of particles and smoke that are released. It has been proven to significantly reduce the health impacts of poor air quality in urban areas, specifically when the traditional wood burning stove or fireplace is used. The city of Bergen for instance realized the importance of implementing effective measures to improve the quality of their air and, as a consequence, old non-cleanburn stoves are now illegal in the city. This trade-in scheme was a huge success, and Bergen being ranked fifth of 332 European cities for their air quality in 2021.

To achieve this, stoves that are Defra-approved are designed to ensure that the fire has enough oxygen to ignite and burn fuel. This is achieved by having an additional air feed which allows extra combustion air to enter the appliance in addition to the primary and/or the main air intake. A secondary air intake is typically located behind the appliance, either inside or underneath the fire box.

Modern stoves that are Defra-exempt have passed the most rigorous tests and are able to burn wood legally in Smoke Control Areas. This is only possible when the stove is operated with wood that has been dried and seasoned. dried at a temperature of less than 20 percent moisture.

A stove that is Defra-approved will also have been tested for its ability to emit no more 3g of smoke in an hour that is the legal limit in all UK cities and towns. If a stove is found to be emitting excess emissions, the owner will be fined a sum of PS300 or more.

A Defra approved stove will be marked as it is on the product. It will also have an Ecodesign mark, which was put into force in 2022. Ecodesign-compliant stoves have to pass stringent emissions tests and have an efficiency rating of at 72% or more. A stove that has an efficient rating will lessen the amount of carbon dioxide produced by it, and will save you money on heating bills.

Smoke Control Areas Suitable

The UK government has set strict emission limits for stoves and fireplaces. The government wants to make the country cleaner and healthier. A lot of cities and large houses are located in Smoke Control Areas, where the production of dark smoke could be a nuisance for residents. If you reside in a Smoke Control Zone and have an older open-fire or wood-burning stove, then you must upgrade to a Defra approved log burner.

They are more eco-friendly than the traditional log burners and have the most advanced technology for clean burning. Leading manufacturers like Arada, Burley, Parkray & Stovax continue to develop their products and are producing models that have secondary and tertiary combustion systems that further reduce emissions. These advanced burners can save you money over the long run on fuel costs.

DEFRA approved or Defra Exempt are terms that indicate that the stove has passed a test that was designed by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs in the UK. This test makes sure that the stove is safe in areas with smoke control. The term Defra Exempt can also be used to describe models that have passed the test and are able to burn smokeless fuels that are approved that are listed on a list by Defra. These fuels exclude wood.

You could be fined when you use a stove that is not DEFRA approved in a smoke-controlled zone. Visit the official Defra site to check whether you're in a controlled smoke area. In order to avoid fines, you should only burn dry wood that has been dried and seasoned, and Defra approved smokeless fuels not logs or other wet woods.

There are a variety of DEFRA Approved log burners to choose from and the Dovre product pages will display this logo if the model is suitable to be used in Smoke Control Areas. Visit the official Defra website to learn more about stoves, fireplaces and fires.

Easy to Clean

Keep your log burner clean to ensure it is operating properly. This will also help to reduce the buildup of harmful creosote which can cause chimney fires. Regular cleaning will ensure that your stove glass is clear and clean, so you can enjoy a stunning fire view without obstruction.

There are many tools that you could need to aid in the care of your wood stove that include a cleaning brush and ash vacuum cleaner as well as polishing your stove. It is important to perform the cleaning process while your stove is cool and we recommend wearing heat-resistant gloves.

The first step is to sweep any ash from the bottom of your stove using the grate brush, making sure you reach all crevices and nooks. Then, you can use an ash vacuum to remove any remaining ashes and dispose of them in a metal container. When your stove is clean, you can apply a stove polish using a soft cloth, taking care not to contact the hot surface.

It is important to only burn quality, seasoned wood on your defra approved log burner to ensure you're not generating high levels of particulates. Look for the Woodsure Ready to Burn Logo or use a moisture-meter ensure the moisture content of the wood is below 20 percent. You can also season your own logs, but it can take as long as 2 years for the moisture content to evaporate.

Avoid burning painted, stained, or chemically-treated wood (including pallets, MDF, and Medium Density Fiberboard). These materials emit dangerous chemicals when they are burned, and should never be burned in a log stove.



Proper installation of your log burner is vital to maintaining its performance and efficiency. Install  This Web site  by a professional in a well-ventilated area, free of drafts. Stoves installed incorrectly can cause damage, as well as diminishing the performance of the stove and causing higher running costs.

Energy efficient

Log burners that are Defra-approved are generally more efficient than counterparts. The reason for this is that they have passed the tests to ensure that the correct amount of air is provided to the wood or fuel burning stoves during combustion. This reduces the amount of smoke produced and reduces the emissions and heat loss from the stove.

If you buy a defra-exempt wood burner you can be certain that it will be safe to use with your chimney as it will have a flue size of 5" (150mm). Non-Defra-approved stoves have a larger chimney outlet, which could cause problems when installing an chimney liner. The Stove Yard offers a range of 5" chimney liners that will fit your multi-fuel or wood exempted stove.

The majority of the stoves we sell at The Stove Yard are Defra approved and feature the most recent clean burning technology. Many of our models have secondary and tertiary air intakes to help ensure that the fuel burns efficiently. This increases the efficiency of the stove and reduces the amount of smoke produced.

Another benefit of having a Defra approved log burner is that it allows you to legally use it in a Smoke Control Area. UK cities and towns are classed as Smoke Control Areas and in order to be legally compliant, you must use a DEFRA-approved appliance when burning wood or smokeless coal.

ClearSkies certified stoves are available for purchase. defra-approved stove to prove it meets the new Ecodesign emission standards which went into effect a year ago. This is the best option for those who reside in a place with Smoke Control. It will make your stove green and also comply with the regulations. The ESSE 700 Vista, a elegant and efficient Defra Approved Log Burner, offers the option to include a smoke control kit if required.