Why We Do We Love Defra Approved Back Boiler Stoves (And You Should, Too!)

· 6 min read
Why We Do We Love Defra Approved Back Boiler Stoves (And You Should, Too!)

Defra Approved Back Boiler Stoves

When choosing the best stove for your home there are a variety of factors to consider. The allure of dual functionality is only one of many things to think about.

DEFRA approved back boiler stoves offer an ideal solution to these problems. They produce very little smoke because they require the smallest amount combustion air.

Clean Burn Technology

A defra-approved back boiler stove is a great option to get an efficient and clean burning stove that can provide heat to your home as well as provide hot water to radiators. The stoves come with an integrated steel boiler that is capable of heating your central heating system as the fire burns inside the stove, this means it's a much more efficient method to use wood burning stoves.

The majority of our defra certified back boiler stoves have a pre-heated airwash system that keeps the glass doors clear of soot and ash. They also have a secondary combustion system that operates by reburning any unburned particulates produced during the initial combustion. This keeps the flue gases clean which results in a more efficient burn and lower fuel costs, saving you money on your energy bills.

Some of our stoves are more eco-friendly and have been independently tested to ensure they meet the new more stringent DEFRA emission standards to become Defra SE (Smoke Exempt) approved.  DEFRA approved multi-fuel stoves  achieve this by having an air vent at the top that stops you from closing it all the way that would shut off oxygen flow to the flame. This causes the fire to smoke instead of burning properly and release more pollutants into the air.

Another crucial aspect is the moisture content of your fuel. This can be a major factor in the amount of smoke released by a stove. We recommend burning only dried, seasoned wood with at least 20 percent to ensure that your stove burns as efficiently and effectively as possible. Most of our Defra-approved stoves come with a built-in moisture sensor, which can be adjusted to alter the amount of heat burned when you use wet wood.

Some manufacturers have gone a step further to boost efficiency by adding a secondary clean burn system. This is controlled by a chrome lever on the lower part of the stove. It opens and closes an air vent that draws air over the fire, reburning smoke produced by the initial burning process. Our Defra SE approved ranges are now even more efficient. You could save more money on your energy costs.

Easy to Clean

A defra-approved back boiler stove allows you to run both your central heating and hotwater from the same system. This can be accomplished by running a loop from the other tappings on the back boiler (there are typically two) to your hot water tank and then using thermosyphoning in order to get the heat into the house. This means that your boiler will never run out of hot water as it will be fed from the tank.

To maintain your stove at its peak performance, you must keep it clean regularly. Begin by making sure that the stove is cool to the touch. Then, wipe down the main body of the stove as well as the door with a clean cloth. We recommend using a microfiber cloth, as they are less harsh.

It is a good idea, after wiping down the stove's interior to wash the glass. A glass cleaner will aid in removing any marks or stains that are stubborn and can be purchased from most hardware stores. It is recommended to use the glass cleaner in a limited amount because too much could damage the surface of the glass.

Over time, the seals that surround the glass and doors of your stove may begin to weaken. It is crucial to replace the seals every year to prevent gaps that could let heat escape. This can be done with stove rope, which is available in most hardware stores.


If you have an Eco Design 2022-compliant back burner on an approved defra stove the combustion process will be much more efficient than traditional wood-burning stoves. This is because the latest technologies have reduced the amount of part-burned combustibles that are released into the air. The stoves that comply with the regulations are more eco friendly and also cheaper to run.

Another thing to consider when using a back boiler stove is that it is always a more expensive than a standard multi fuel stove, as it produces more hot water than a standard multifuel stove. It's still a cost-effective way to heat your house and can be used for central heating as well as hot-water.

Easy to Install

Boiler stoves are able to provide heat to the room as well as hot water to your central heating system, making them a stylish work horse that is an effective and economical solution. In contrast to other multi-fuel stoves that require connection to an existing gas boiler, wood burners with back boiler is able to connect directly to your mains hot water supply and central heating source, eliminating the need for a second heating system.

A wood burning stove with a back boiler can also be used to provide power to your heating system completely from renewable sources which makes them an green option than other stoves. They also produce less emissions, as they burn logs or pellets, than oil or gas heating systems, making them a great option for those concerned about global warming.

While many people may be confused about how a wood burning stove with a back boiler works installing one is quite simple. It is crucial to ensure that the stove is installed and connected to your heating system, so it's best to have this completed by a licensed heating engineer. They can make sure that your stove is set up correctly and is connected to the correct systems. They can also ensure that all safety devices are in place.

Defra Approved Stoves, also known as Defra exempt stoves, as they are referred to they have met the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (DEFRA) standards for smoke emission levels. They are allowed to be used in Smoke Control Areas and have been tested and modified to ensure they produce a very clean burn that can be easily used with wood as well as smokeless fuels.

DEFRA approved stoves such as the Defra Exempt Dunsley Yorkshire or our top-selling Hi-Flame Aidan can provide a very effective burn with very little harmful emissions. They have been evaluated in accordance with the Eco-Design regulations, which imposes limits on the amount particulate matter (PM), CO2, NOx, and organic gases a stove releases during normal operation.

Smoke Control Areas Suitable

Smoke Control Areas are in place in the majority of UK cities and towns. The burning of logs on older stoves or open fireplaces can result in a fine if smoke is considered to be a nuisance. The good part is that Defra-approved back boiler stoves are exempt from these restrictions if you choose the right appliance for your home.

The Defra exempted wood burners are designed to use Clean Burn technology which ensures that any fuel burned is burnt efficiently with minimal smoke production. You can still enjoy a beautiful fireplace if you live in a smoke-controlled area, but logs are restricted to mineral fuels that are smoke-free.

The stoves comply with Defra standards due to their airtight chambers controlled by airflow. They also employ triple airflow systems that ensure that combustion byproducts are burned off before they exit the chimney. This reduces nuisance smoke and reduces soot accumulation that can block the flue or reduce gas efficiency.

It is crucial to purchase your Defra approved stove from an expert local Retailer who can ensure that the appropriate size stove is chosen for your home to ensure the best heating efficiency and ensure that it is fitted correctly by an HETAS certified installer. They can also help you determine the best chimney liner to ensure a safe installation, and also provide guidance on whether your home requires additional ventilation.

Modern DEFRA approved stoves are far superior to traditional open fires or wood burning stoves. They have a minimum of 75 percent efficiency, which is not only reduces your environmental impact but also helps you save money. Defra approved back boiler stoves can be used in smoke-controlled areas and require at least 6mm of stainless steel twin-wall flexible chimney liner. This is cheaper than the larger 12mm liners required for Ecodesign stoves.

If you are unsure about whether your property falls within a smoke-control area, you can inquire with your local council. They'll be able to give you the latest information. Most reputable stove makers have a Defra exempt section of their product line so that you can easily identify these appliances when shopping.