What is a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove?

A defra certified multi fuel stove is one that has cleared of the Defra smoke tests. They are also called SE (smoke exempt) stoves.

The Defra department of the government is responsible for rules and regulations related to agriculture, rural issues and the environment. The Defra test guarantees that you can burn wood or approved smokeless fuels such as Anthracite in a smoke-free area without causing any disturbance to your neighbors by emitting noisy smoke.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly stoves use sustainable fuels and materials to reduce emissions. Eco-friendly stoves are usually designed to burn wood, or in combination with other approved fuels. There are a variety of eco-friendly multi-fuel stoves and log burners available, from traditional to modern models. Some eco-friendly stoves use dung as an efficient and carbon-negative substitute for wood.

The most important thing you can do to ensure that your stove is eco-friendly is to ensure that the fuel is properly seasoned or kiln-dried. This helps reduce the amount of moisture and allows the wood to burn more efficiently, generating less smoke. It's also a great idea to purchase only wood that comes from sustainable forests. When buying wood, look for the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' label to ensure that it has been dried correctly.

Most of the newer stoves are compliant with the strict EU EcoDesign Standards. These standards require that stove makers create wood-burning stoves that are energy efficient and with environmental protection in the back of their minds. Ecodesign stoves must be designed to take into consideration emissions, resource efficiency, and waste reduction. This makes them some of the cleanest and greenest stoves available.

Replace the grates on your stove with ceramic grates. This will make it more environmentally friendly. Ceramic is not only visually appealing, but also non-smoking and reduces sulphur oxide in the air. Ceramic grate liners also have a longer duration and are much easier to clean than steel inserts for grates.

In a Smoke Control Area you can still enjoy a wood-burner or multi-fuel stove, however it is crucial to only use approved fuels by Defra. If you do not, it is possible that you could be in breach of the law and could face being fined by the local council. To avoid this, only use Defra approved fuels, for example, an amorphous smokeless oval, in your stove.

Clean Burning

Multi fuel stoves that are approved by Defra can be used only in smoke-controlled areas if they burn only authorised smokeless fuel. It can be a kind of naturally occurring or manufactured smokeless log or anthracite and it must conform to certain rules to meet the requirements for an Defra approved wood burning stove. The stove manufacturers must comply with the rules for selling a DEFRA-exempted wood burner. Here at The Stove Yard we have an amazing selection of DEFRA approved wood burning stoves and multi fuel stoves from leading brands such as Arada, Parkray, Burley, Stovax and many more.

These Defra-exempt stoves use the most advanced combustion technology to reduce emissions and tar accumulation in your chimney or flue system. The stoves use secondary and tertiary systems that ignite particulates, tar gases and other pollutants before they escape into the air. This is why Defra approved wood burning stoves are so much healthier than open fires as well as older generation stoves.

The design of the Defra approved stove is unique The majority of our stoves will have a hidden mechanism within the stove that allows a small circulation of air into the fire, even when the vents for air are shut. This is to prevent the soot and ash from being sent up the chimney which can block your stove and can cause dangerous chimney fires.

This is a crucial feature for anyone living in a smoke control area The latest Defra approved stoves don't allow you to close off the vents completely, and allow you to sleep your stove all night that could release combustibles that have been partially burned into the air.

A DEFRA approved eco design stoves-approved stove can have a longer burning time compared to older stoves that aren't DEFRA stoves Advantages-approved. However should you decide to switch your approved fuel with smokeless coal in order to rest the stove for a night and reduce the time of the burn as the constant air supply required to slumber would reduce the combustion of smokeless fuel.

Reduced Emissions

If used correctly, a DEFRA exempt stove can produce extremely low levels of emissions. These emissions are typically PM2.5 particles, which can cause a range of health issues that include heart ailments and lung disease, when inhaled.

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

As well as cutting harmful emissions The efficiency of a stove reduces the cost of heating your home. Making use of a DEFRA approved wood burning stove instead of gas boilers of the conventional variety can help reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your energy costs.

If you live in an area where smoke is controlled, it's vital that your stove be DEFRA-approved (or Smoke Exempt) because this permits you to burn Defra Approved fuels like manufactured smokeless ovals such as Anthracite or Homefire and dried wood and other approved fuels. This will allow you to relax in the fireplace, without having to worry about whether the smoke could be a nuisance to your neighbors.

In addition to being DEFRA Approved, defra stoves advantages many stoves are also tested to clearSkies level requirements and are able to be identified with the mark clearSkies. The clearSkies scheme is an independent scheme that requires stove manufacturers to display information on the effectiveness and emissions of their appliances, allowing consumers make an informed choice. The information must include the stove's efficiency rating, emissions, and the type and size.

It is important to keep in mind that, as with Ecodesign clearSkies regulations set minimum standards. Manufacturers are able to go over and above these. ESSE has developed its most recent stoves to make them even more efficient and less polluting, generating less dust without impacting the performance or control. This latest innovation utilizes patented Twin Catalytic Combustion Technology that reburns all smoke particles and reduces their impact on the atmosphere.

In reality, if you're in a smoke-free zone and you use a DEFRA Approved stove with a high-quality, kiln dried or seasoned log, you'll generate as much, or more heat from the same amount of dry wood as if you were to burn it on a non-DEFRA Approved stove. In fact, it can be up to 24 percent less expensive to heat your home using a an newest Defra Approved stove than conventional gas boilers.

Compliant with Building Regulations

If you reside in a Smoke Control Area, it's important to have a DEFRA approved multi fuel stove. The stoves have been tested to ensure they do not emit smoke when burning approved fuel. They can therefore be used them in areas that have large number of buildings. We install and supply DEFRA approved log stoves from the top brands such as Mi-fires and Contura.

You can also safely burn peat, wood, and other solid fuels with a DEFRA-approved multi-fuel stove. It is important to be aware that certain fuels are not permitted in Smoke Control Areas, so it's essential to familiarise yourself with local guidelines and restrictions.

To ensure that a multi-fuel stove can perform safely, it's important that you have the right ventilation. This will help reduce the accumulation of carbon monoxide within your home. DEFRA approved multi fuel stoves have an integrated venting system that can automatically supply enough air to the combustion process, so your home will always be properly ventilated and safe for use.

In addition, DEFRA approved stoves have a minimum flue size of 550mm2, which means they can be used with a standard twinwall system. Our vast range of flue liners are compatible with DEFRA approved stoves, meaning you can use them to improve your fireplace to ensure it is compliant with the latest emission standards.

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

If you're planning to install a multi-fuel stove, it's crucial that you have the task completed by a licensed professional to ensure that you are in compliance with the building regulations. Inadequately following installation guidelines could result in an expensive fine or damage to your property. We recommend using a HETAS approved installer to complete the stove installation, since they will be familiar with the manufacturer's guidelines and building regulations.