Smoke Exempt appliances

Exempt appliances are appliances (ovens, wood burners and stoves) which have been exempted under the Clean Air Act 1993 or Clean Air (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. These have passed tests to confirm that they are capable of burning an unauthorised or inherently smoky solid fuel without emitting smoke.

The Clean Air Acts were originally  introduced in the 1958 and 1968 to combat the smogs of this period caused by the widespread use of coal for home and industry. The smogs were blamed for the early death and ill health of many people. The Acts controlled the burning of coal in many of the cities and larger towns in the UK and were further updated and consolidated in the Clean Air Act of 1993.

Smoke Control Areas

Under the Clean Air Act local authorities may declare the whole or part of the district of the authority to be a smoke control area. It is an offence to emit smoke from a chimney of a building, from a furnace or from any fixed boiler if located in a designated smoke control area. It is also an offence to acquire an “unauthorised fuel” for use within a smoke control area unless it is used in an “exempt” appliance (“exempted” from the controls which generally apply in the smoke control area). The current maximum level of fine is £1,000 for each offence. If you are unsure whether you are in a Smoke Control Area your local authority will be able to advise you, they should also be able to advise you on approved appliances and fuel types that you can use.

Here at Blakemore & Chell we stock a range of DEFRA approved smoke exempt stoves. If you would like any more information on smoke exempt stoves or have any other heating related questions please call us on 01538 382387 or have a look through our online store

For more information on smoke control areas, appliances and fuels please visit the Defra website