What is a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove?

A defra certified multi fuel stove is one that has successfully passed the Defra smoke tests. They can also be called SE (smoke exempt) stoves.

The Defra department of the government is responsible for the rules and regulations related to rural issues, agriculture and the environment. The Defra Test ensures that you can burn wood or approved smokeless fuels such as Anthracite ovals in a smoke-free area without disturbing your neighbours.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly stoves make use of renewable materials and fuels to reduce emissions. They typically burn wood or a combination of approved fuels and are designed with environmental considerations in the back of their minds. There are a variety of eco-friendly multi-fuel stoves and log burners that are available, ranging from modern to traditional models. Some eco-friendly stoves even use dung (the excreta of domesticated livestock) as an extremely efficient and carbon neutral alternative to wood.

The most crucial aspect in making sure your stove is eco-friendly is to ensure that the fuel you are using is properly seasoned and kiln dried. This reduces the moisture content of the wood and enables it to burn more efficiently. It is recommended to purchase only wood that has been harvested from sustainable forests. Look for the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' logo when purchasing wood to ensure it has been dried at an appropriate level.

The majority of modern stoves comply with strict EU EcoDesign Standards. These standards require stove makers to develop wood burning stoves keeping energy efficiency and the environment in mind. Ecodesign stoves must be designed to take into consideration emissions, resource efficiency, Defra exempt stoves and the reduction of waste. This makes them some of the cleanest and greenest stoves available.

Another way to make your stove green is to replace the grate with a ceramic one. It is not just aesthetically pleasing, but it also has the benefit of being non-smoking and helping reduce the amount of sulphur dioxide that is released into the air. Ceramic Grease liners also have a longer duration and are much easier to clean than steel grate inserts.

While you can still relax in cozy wood burning stoves or multi fuel stove in a Smoke Control Area, it is essential to use only Defra approved fuels. If you do not have this, you may be in violation of the law and face a fine from the local council. You should only use fuels approved by Defra for example, anthracite manufactured round in your stove.

Clean Burning

A Defra approved multi fuel stove can be used in smoke-controlled areas if it burns authorised smokeless fuels only. It could be a form of naturally occurring or manufactured smokeless log or anthracite. it must conform to certain regulations in order to meet the criteria for an Defra approved wood burning stove. Stove manufacturers must also follow the rules in order to produce a DEFRA exempt wood burner for sale. The Stove Yard has a great range of DEFRA approved multi-fuel stoves as well as wood burning stoves by leading brands like Arada, Parkray and Burley.

These kinds of defra exempt stoves (Check This Out) come with the most modern combustion technology that is designed to reduce the amount of emissions and tar build-up up in your chimney and flue system. The stoves use secondary and tertiary systems to ignite particulates, tar gasses and other pollutants before they are released into the air. This is the reason Defra approved wood burning stoves are much more clean than open fires and older models of stoves.

The design of a stove that is Defra-approved is also distinct. The majority of our stoves have an internal mechanism that allows for a small, continuous flow of air into the fire even after the vents for air have been closed. This prevents soot and ash being blown up the fireplace, which could cause dangerous chimney fires.

This is an essential feature for anyone living in a smoke-free area The new Defra approved stoves do not allow you to close off the vents completely and then sleep on your stove for the night which can send part-burned combustibles into the atmosphere.

A DEFRA approved stove also has a much longer burn time than non-Defra models, although it's worth noting that if you changed your fuel of choice for smokeless coal and wanted to sleep your stove for the night, then this would shorten the burn time too because the continuous supply of air needed for slumber burning would curb the combustion of the smokeless fuel.

Reduced Emissions

If used properly the DEFRA-exempt stove will produce very low levels of emissions. These emissions are usually PM2.5 particles, which can cause a variety health issues, including heart conditions and lung diseases, if inhaled.

The high efficiency of combustion offered by a DEFRA-approved wood burning device reduces the amount of harmful particles and pollutants released by the burning process. This minimizes the impact of the process of burning on the environment.

The effectiveness of a stove can reduce the cost of heating your home. Using an DEFRA approved wood burning stove over a conventional gas boiler will reduce your carbon footprint and save you money on your energy bills.

If you live in a zone where smoke is controlled, it's essential that your stove is DEFRA-approved (or Smoke Exempt) as this permits you to burn approved Defra Fuels such as manufactured smokeless ovals such as Anthracite or Homefire and dried wood and other approved fuels. This allows you to enjoy your fireplace without worrying about nuisance smoke disturbing your neighbours.

Many stoves are, in addition to being DEFRA-approved, are tested according to clearSkies requirements and are able to be labeled with the clearSkies label. The clearSkies mark is an independent scheme that requires stove makers to provide information on their appliances' efficiency and emissions, allowing consumers to make an informed choice. The information must include the stove's efficiency rating, emissions, as well as the type and size.

It's important to keep in mind that, like with Ecodesign clearSkies regulations set minimum standards. Manufacturers can go above and beyond these. ESSE has designed its latest stoves to make them even more efficient and less polluting, generating less smoke without compromising efficiency or control. This latest advancement utilizes the Twin Catalytic Combustion Technology that reburns all smoke particles, reducing their impact on the atmosphere.

In reality it's true that if you're in an smoke-free zone and you use an DEFRA Approved stove with a high-quality, kiln-dried or seasoned log, you'll be able to generate as much, or Defra exempt stoves more, heat from the same amount of dry wood as if you were burning it in a non-DEFRA Approved stove. It is up to 24 percent less expensive to heat your home by using an newest Defra Approved Stove than gas boilers.

Conforms to Building Regulations

If you live in an area under smoke control, it's important to use a multi-fuel stove that is approved by DEFRA. These stoves have passed tests to ensure that they don't produce any smoke when burning approved fuel, which means they can be used in areas that are usually well-populated with buildings. We install and supply DEFRA approved log stoves from top brands such as Mi-fires and Contura.

A DEFRA approved multi fuel stove will also allow you to burn peat, wood and other solid fuels safely. It is important to be aware that some fuels are prohibited for use in Smoke Control Areas, so it's essential to familiarise yourself with local guidelines and restrictions.

For a multi-fuel stove to perform safely, it's crucial that you have appropriate ventilation. This will reduce the buildup of carbon monoxide within your home. DEFRA approved stoves have an integrated ventilation system that supplies sufficient air to the combustion process. This ensures that your home is always well ventilated, and safe to use.

DEFRA approved stoves also come with a minimum size of 550mm2, meaning they can be used conjunction with a standard dualwall system. Our extensive range of flue liners are compatible with DEFRA approved stoves, meaning you can enhance your fireplace to ensure it is compliant with the latest emissions requirements.

Look for the DEFRA symbol on the stove's packaging, or online. This information is also available on numerous trustworthy retailers' websites and in stores' displays.

If you're considering installing a multi-fuel stove, you must ensure to have the work done by a professional who is certified to ensure that you are in compliance with the building codes. Failure to follow the proper installation guidelines could result in the issuance of a fine and damage to your property. We recommend choosing a HETAS approved installer to carry out your stove installation, because they are well-versed in the guidelines of the manufacturer and building regulations.