Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves
There is a great range of defra-exempt multi fuel stoves that will fit in with any home. Defra approved stoves meet the regulations of the government and are designed to burn fuel efficiently with low emissions.
This is particularly important especially if you reside in a smoke-free area. Even if you aren't need to, a Defra Stove is better for your chimney and your neighbors.
Defra Approved
You may have noticed on our website, several wood-burning stoves are listed either as DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. These terms might seem like an esoteric term to the typical homeowner, but they are not.
DEFRA is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. They are responsible for the policies and regulations related to agriculture, food and the environment. Defra approved stoves have been passed rigorous tests to ensure that they comply with the government's strict rules for smoke emission levels during operation. They are designed to burn fuels like wood and coal more efficiently. This means they produce less pollutants.
This is good news for anyone who lives in a Smoke Control Area since the law currently bans the release of smoke within these areas, unless you are using an DEFRA approved stove and a fuel approved by DEFRA. In the past, it has been possible to install a non-Defra certified stove in a Smoke Control Area as long as you used only approved fuels like wood. However, as of January 2022 the laws are changing and stoves that are not approved are not permitted to be installed at all unless they have been equipped with a secondary or tertiary combustion system that will drastically reduce their production of particulate matter and NOx, carbon dioxide and organic gaseous compounds.
Our Defra approved ranges are equipped with a mechanism to prevent you from closing down the top air vent completely. This can cause the fire to smolder and release smoke into your home. Instead, these stoves come with an adjustable air flow that allows you to open the top vent just a bit and still maintain the safety and efficiency of your fire.
Another benefit of buying a Defra approved stove is that it can be fitted with a 5 inch chimney liner. This is crucial as there are many construction regulations that require you must have an elongated chimney with at least 5 inches of diameter.
Smoke Control Areas
If you reside in a zone of smoke control you'll require a DEFRA-approved stove to legally burn wood in your home. These stoves have been inspected by DEFRA to ensure that they meet the strict smoke emissions standards required in smoke control zones. You can view the list of areas in which you require a Defra approved stove on the Defra website.
Defra Exempt Stoves & Multi Stoves for Fuel
A Defra approved wood stove, also called a DEFRA Multi Wood Burning Stove 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, assisting the agriculture and food industries and sustaining a thriving rural economy. The tests that Defra approved stoves must pass are designed to ensure that the appliance produces very little smoke and grit when it is in operation.
Stove Supermarket offers a variety of Defra Exempt Stoves that are multi-fuel stoves. This means that you can burn smokeless, authorised wood as well as well-seasoned fuels. They are often called Defra stoves or Defra approved woodburners, and they are often abbreviated as SE.
The most modern Defra multi-fuel stoves and woodburning stoves come with secondary and tertiary ventilation systems that ensure the wood is completely burned prior to leaving the chimney. This is a better method than leaving a log on the fire for long periods of time. It also reduces the amount of nuisance smoke that could be produced.
If you are in an area that is a Smoke Control Area, or considering moving to one, then a Defra exempt stove is an excellent choice for your home. It's not only more eco-friendly and efficient, but it also helps to reduce the nuisance smoke which can upset your neighbors.
You can still use an open fire, barbecues or pizza ovens in your backyard. However excessive or toxic smoke could be considered a nuisance and you could be fined. In an area designated as a Smoke Control Area, you are not allowed to use open flames or stoves for burning damp, rotten, or wet wood or any other fuels.
Burning Other Fuels Besides Cars
Defra Approved stoves are engineered to burn a variety of fuels including wood. They burn wood so cleanly that they are in compliance with the strict regulations of the government regarding emissions in smoke control zones. You can use them in any smoke control area so long as they're burning approved fuels, such as pellets, briquettes or logs. Stoves that have been authorised by Defra will be marked with the SE' logo that stands for Smoke Exempt.
What makes the Defra approved stove different from conventional multifuel stoves is the fact that they have secondary air vents that heat the air before it enters the firebox. The pre-heated, heated air ensures that the fuel is ignited in order to create a cleaner burning. It also reduces soot build up and prevents the chimney from getting blocked. Defra stoves also have internal baffle plates which help to control the flames and ensure an uniform heat distribution.
Using non-Defra approved stoves in areas that are smoke-free could result in substantial fines from the UK government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). To avoid being accused of trespassing by Defra you should only purchase and use a DEFRA approved stove that has been tested to the government's strict criteria.
DEFRA stoves are also known as Clean Burn stoves. DEFRA stoves installation can be used for any type of fuel but they are best suited to wood that is dry and soft. They're built with air vents that are unable to be completely closed so the stove will always get oxygen to support the clean combustion process and reduce the risk of the risk of noxious gases and soot.
This technology is not only compliant with the current standards for air quality but also the upcoming Ecodesign requirements which will come into 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 stricter emission standards. These new standards are part of the government's continuous efforts to keep the air in the country healthy and clean.
Installation
If you live in a smoke control area then a Defra exempt multi fuel stove can assist you in complying with the rules. These wood burning and multi fuel appliances have been tested by independent experts in order to ensure they meet the strict standards for smoke emissions that are required in a smoke control area. These stoves can burn wood, or other fuels such as coal without worrying about the amount of smoke they produce.
Stoves that are DEFRA approved can reduce smoke levels by using advanced combustion technology that produces less smoke. They usually employ the second stage of combustion that re-burns a portion of the waste products from the first stage, making them less polluting and more efficient. In addition to reducing emissions the stoves also lessen the amount of soot build-up within the flue and chimney.
This is a great benefit for those who live in a smoke controlled zone as it means you can sit in front of a real fire more often and for longer, with the added benefit of lower utility bills. These wood burning and multi-fuel stoves are great for the environment as they produce less pollution. They can also be used to burn more materials than other stoves.
A simple kit supplied by the manufacturer can make many stoves DEFRA-exempt. This alters the air vents of the stove, preventing them from being closed down at night. This is referred to as slumbering and allows part-burned combustibles that would otherwise block the flue to be released into the atmosphere. DEFRA approved stoves don't slumber, and are more sustainable for the environment. They also block chimneys less often.
It is recommended that you have a HETAS certified installer or Building Control officer install your DEFRA approved appliance to get the best out of it. This will ensure that your installation was completed according to the correct specifications and in line with the latest regulations. It also helps protect your warranty since the installer is able to self-certify their work.