Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves
There's a wide selection of defra exempt multi fuel stoves to suit any home. Defra approved appliances comply with the regulations of the government, and are engineered for fuel efficiency and emissions that are low.
This is especially important when you live in a smoke control 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, a number wood burning stoves are described as DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. For the average homeowner, these terms could appear to be jargon that they don't need to pay attention to, but this isn't the truth.
DEFRA is the acronym for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and they oversee policies and regulations concerning the environment, farming and food. Defra approved products have gone through rigorous testing to ensure they adhere to the strict guidelines of the government for smoke emissions when operating. They are specifically designed to burn the fuels of coal and wood more efficiently. This means they produce fewer pollutants.
It's a great thing for those who reside in Smoke Control Area because the law currently prohibits smoke emissions in these areas, unless you use a DEFRA-approved stove and an approved fuel. In recommended DEFRA stoves , it was possible to install a non-Defra certified stove in a Smoke Control Area as long as you only used authorised fuels such as wood. However, from January 2022, the rules are changing and stoves that are not approved are not allowed to be installed at all unless they have been fitted with secondary or tertiary burning system that will drastically reduce the production of particulate matter and NOx, carbon dioxide and organic gaseous compounds.
In the case of our Defra approved stoves, they are also equipped with a mechanism that stops you from closing the top air vent completely down as this can cause the fire to smolder and emit smoke into your home. These stoves come with an adjustable air supply that allows you to open the top vent just a bit and still keep an efficient, safe burning.
A Defra-approved stove can also be fitted with a 5-inch chimney liner. This is vital as there are many building regulations which state that you must have an unlined chimney that has at least a 5-inch diameter.
Smoke Control Areas
If you reside in a smoke-free zone you'll require a Defra approved stove if you want to legally burn wood in your home. DEFRA has tested these stoves to ensure they meet the strict standards for smoke emissions required in smoke control zones. You can see the list of areas for which you need a Defra approved stove on the Defra website.
Multifuel stoves and stoves exempt from Defra
A Defra approved stove, also known as a DEFRA multi wood burning stove or fuel, will have passed a stringent test designed by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The UK government body is responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, promoting the food and farming industry and sustaining a flourishing rural economy. The tests that Defra Approved Stoves must pass are designed so that the appliance produces only small amounts of grit or smoke when it is operating.
Stove Supermarket stocks a number of Defra Exempt Stoves that are multi-fuel stoves. This means you can use smokeless wood that is authorised and well-seasoned fuels. These stoves are referred to as Defra stoves, Defra approved wooden burners and are abbreviated SE.
Contrary to older stoves, which are not suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, the latest Defra multi-fuel and woodburning stoves feature secondary and tertiary air systems that ensure that the wood is fully burned before it exits the chimney. This is a cleaner method than simply leaving a fire on the stove to burn for long periods and reduces the amount of smoke that could be emitted.
If you are living or planning to move into an area that is a Smoke Control Area then a stove that is Defra-exempt will be the best option for you. It is not only more eco-friendly, but it can also help minimise the nuisance smoke that can irritate your neighbours.
You can still use an open fire, barbecues and pizza ovens in your garden. However excessive or toxic smoke can be considered a nuisance and you could be penalized. In a Smoke Control Area it is not allowed to use open flames or stoves that burn damp, rotten, or wet wood or any other fuels.
Burning Other Fuels Other Than Petroleum
Defra Approved Stoves are made to burn different types of fuels including wood. They burn wood with such efficiency that they comply with the strict emission regulations of the government when operating in smoke control zones. They can be used in any smoke-control zone, provided they are burning approved fuels such as logs, briquettes and pellets. Stoves that are Defra approved are usually identified with the an 'SE' logo that is a reference to Smoke Exempt.
A stove that is Defra-approved differs from a typical multifuel stove due to its secondary air vents that heat air prior to it entering the firebox. The pre-heated air helps ensure that all the fuel is ignited and burned, resulting in a cleaner combustion process. This also prevents the accumulation of soot that can block the chimney. The stoves of Defra also come with internal baffle plates that help to control the flames and ensure an even heat distribution.
Stoves that are not approved by DEFRA in areas with smoke control could result in hefty fines from the UK government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). If you wish to avoid being accused of being prosecuted by Defra make sure you use a DEFRA approved stove that has been inspected in accordance with the government's guidelines.
DEFRA stoves are also known as Clean Burn stoves. They are compatible with all kinds of fuel, but they are ideally suited for dry wood, both soft and hard. They're designed with air vents that are unable to be closed completely so that the stove will always receive oxygen to ensure clean combustion and minimise the risk of noxious gases and soot.
This technology is not only compliant with the current standards for air quality, but also future Ecodesign requirements that will come in 2022. Stovax stoves that burn wood and multifuel will be branded with the SIA Ecodesign Ready label, that confirms they comply with the new standards for emission. These new standards are part of the government’s continuous efforts to ensure that the air we breathe clean and healthy.
Installation
If you live in a smoke control area then a Defra exempt multi fuel stove can help you comply with the regulations. This is because these wood burning and multi fuel stoves have been tested independently to ensure they meet the strict standards of smoke emissions that are required in a Smoke Control Area. These appliances can be used to burn wood or other approved fuels like coal without having to worry about the quantity of smoke they generate.
Stoves that are DEFRA certified can reduce smoke levels by using advanced combustion technology that creates less smoke. These stoves use the second stage of combustion, which burns the waste products that were burned in the first stage. This makes them more efficient and cleaner. In addition to the reduction in emissions they also reduce the amount of soot that accumulates in the chimney and flue.
If you live in a region that is smoke-controlled this is an important idea to know. You can use a fireplace more often and for longer. Additionally, you'll reduce your utility bills. These wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves are great for the environment because they emit less pollution. They can also be used to burn more materials than other stoves.
Most stoves can be transformed into DEFRA exempt using a simple manufacturer supplied kit. This alters the air vents of the stove to prevent them from closing at night. This is known as slumbering. It allows part-burned combustibles to escape into the atmosphere rather than going up the chimney, where they can hinder the flue. DEFRA approved stoves don't sleep and are, therefore, better for the environment and less likely to block a chimney.
To make the most of your DEFRA approved stove, it is recommended that you have it professionally installed by a HETAS registered installer or an official from the Building Control Office. You will have peace of peace of mind knowing that the installation was completed in accordance to the correct specifications, and is compliant with the current regulations. It also helps protect your warranty since the installer can self-certify their own work.