Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves

There is a great range of defra exempt multi-fuel stoves that will fit in with any home. DEFRA stoves benefits approved appliances are compliant with government regulations and are designed for efficient combustion and low emissions.

This is particularly crucial if you live in a smoke control zone. Even if you aren't need to, the Defra Stove is more beneficial for your chimney and your neighbors.

Defra Approved

You may have noticed on our website, a number wood-burning stoves are described as DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. For the average homeowner, these terms might seem like jargon they don't need to pay attention to, but this is not the reality.

DEFRA approved efficient stoves stands for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and they manage regulations and policies in relation to the environment, agriculture and food. Defra approved stoves have been passed a rigorous test to ensure they adhere to the strict guidelines of the government for smoke emission levels during operation. They are also designed to burn authorised fuels such as wood and coal more efficiently, meaning that they produce far fewer pollutants.

It is good news for those who reside in a Smoke Control Area because the law currently prohibits smoke emissions within such areas except when using an approved DEFRA stove and an approved fuel. In the past, it has been possible to install a non-Defra-approved stove in a Smoke Control Area as long as you used only approved fuels such as wood. From January 2022, the law will be altered and stoves that aren't approved will not be permitted to be used unless they're equipped with a secondary or tertiary system that can reduce the production of particulate matter carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and organic gaseous substances.

In the case of our Defra approved stoves, they are also equipped with a mechanism that stops you from closing the top air vent all the way down as this can cause the fire to smoulder and release smoke into your home. Instead, these stoves have an adjustable air flow that will allow you to open the top vent just a bit and still maintain a safe and efficient burn.

A stove that is Defra-approved can be fitted with a 5 inch chimney liner. This is important because the majority of building codes require a chimney to have a minimum of 5 inches diameter.

Smoke Control Areas

If you reside in a zone of smoke control you'll need a DEFRA-approved stove to legally burn wood in your home. The stoves have been tested by DEFRA to ensure that they meet the strict standards of smoke emissions required in smoke control areas. On the Defra site, you will see a list of areas which require a stove that has been approved by DEFRA.

Multi Stoves for Fuel

A Defra approved wood stove, also referred to as a DEFRA Multi Wood Burning Stove or Fuel that has been through a rigorous test developed by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs. The UK government body is responsible for protecting our natural environment, supporting the food and farming industry and sustaining a thriving rural economy. The tests that Defra Approved stoves must pass are designed to ensure that the appliance produces low levels of smoke and grit when it is in use.

Stove Supermarket offers a variety of Defra Exempt Stoves that are multi-fuel stoves. This means you can use smokeless wood that is authorised as well as well-seasoned fuels. These stoves are also known as Defra stoves, Defra approved wooden burners and are abbreviated SE.

In contrast to older stoves that are often unsuitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, the latest Defra multi fuel and woodburning stoves feature secondary and tertiary air systems in order DEFRA stoves online (company website) to ensure that the wood is fully burned prior to it leaving the chimney. This is a cleaner process than leaving a log on the fire for a long period of time. It also reduces the amount nuisance smoke that could be produced.

If you reside or plan to move into a Smoke Control Area then a Defra-exempt stove will be the best option for you. Not only is it more eco-friendly, but it will help to reduce the amount of smoke that could upset your neighbours.

You can still enjoy open fires, barbecues and pizza ovens in your backyard but remember that toxic or excessive smoke could be a statutory nuisance and you may be fined. You are also not permitted to burn damp, wet or rotting wood or other fuels in an open fire or stove in a Smoke Control Area.

Burning Other Fuels

Defra Approved stoves are engineered to burn a wide variety of fuels including wood. They burn wood with such efficiency that they meet the strict regulations of the government for emissions during operation in smoke control areas. This means that they can be used legally in any smoke control area provided you're burning authorised fuels such as logs, pellets and Briquettes. Stoves that have been authorised by Defra will be branded with the SE' logo which means Smoke Exempt.

A stove that is Defra-approved differs from a conventional multifuel stove because it has secondary air vents that pre-heat air before it enters into the firebox. This pre-heated, heated air ensures that all fuel is ignited to ensure a cleaner combustion. It also prevents the build-up of soot up and prevents the chimney from becoming blocked. The stoves of Defra also come with internal baffle plates that help to regulate the flames and ensure uniform heat distribution.

Defra could impose heavy penalties on anyone who uses a non-Defra approved appliance in areas with smoke control. To avoid the risk of being charged by Defra you should only buy and use a DEFRA approved stove that has been tested to the government's strict standards.

DEFRA stoves can also be called Clean Burn stoves. They can be used with most types of fuel, but they are best suited to wood that is soft and dry. They are designed with air vents that are unable to be closed completely, so the stove will always get a supply of oxygen to help ensure the clean combustion process and reduce the risk of noxious gases and soot.

This technology is not just compatible with the current standards for air quality of the government, but also with future Ecodesign standards that will come in effect in 2022. Stovax wood-burning stoves and multifuel stoves will be branded with the SIA Ecodesign Ready label, which means they are compliant with the new standards for emission. These new standards are part of the government's continuous efforts to keep the air we breathe clean and healthy.

Installation

If you live in a smoke-free zone then a Defra exempt multi fuel stove will aid you in observing the regulations. This is because these multi fuel and wood burning stoves have been independently tested to ensure they comply with the strict standards for smoke emissions that are required in a Smoke Control Area. These appliances can be used to burn wood or other approved fuels, such as coal, without concern about the amount of smoke they generate.

Stoves that have been DEFRA approved can lower smoke levels using advanced combustion techniques that produce less smoke. They typically employ the second stage of combustion that re-burns some of the waste materials from the first stage, making them less polluting and more efficient. In addition to reducing emissions they also reduce the amount of soot that builds up in the chimney and flue.

This is an excellent option especially if you live in a smoke controlled area since it means you can enjoy a real fire more often and longer, with the added benefit of having lower utility bills. Because of the reduced levels of pollution, these types of wood-burning and multi fuel stoves are good for the environment as they are able to burn a wider range of materials than other stoves.

The majority of stoves can be made DEFRA exempt by using a simple manufacturer supplied kit. This kit alters the air vents on the stove so that they do not shut at night. This is known as slumbering, and allows part-burned combustibles to be released into the atmosphere rather than going up the chimney, where they could hinder the flue. DEFRA approved stoves do not slumber and are therefore much better for the environment and less likely to block a chimney.

It is recommended that an HETAS registered installer or Building Control officer install your DEFRA requirements stoves approved appliance to get the best out of it. This will give you peace of mind that the installation was completed to the proper specifications and is in compliance with the latest regulations. It will also help protect your warranty, as the installer is able to self-certify their work.