What is a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove?

A defra-approved multi fuel stove is one that has cleared of the Defra smoke tests. They are also sometimes referred to as SE (smoke exempt) stoves.

The DEFRA stoves advantages department of the government is responsible for implementing rules and regulations related to agriculture, rural issues and the environment. The Defra Test ensures that you can burn wood or Defra approved smokeless fuels like Anthracite Ovals, for instance, in a smoke-controlled area without disturbing your neighbours.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly stoves produce minimal emissions, using fuel efficiently and utilising sustainable materials. They typically use wood or a combination of fuels that are approved and are designed with eco-friendly considerations in mind. There are a variety of eco-friendly multi-fuel stoves as well as log burners available, from modern to traditional models. Some eco-friendly stoves even make use of dung (the excrement of domestic livestock) as a highly efficient and carbon neutral alternative to wood.

The most important thing you can do to make your stove green is to make sure that the fuel is properly seasoned or dried in a kiln. This reduces the moisture content of the wood, allowing it to burn more efficiently. It is recommended to buy only wood that has been procured from sustainable forests. Look for the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' logo when purchasing wood to ensure that it has been dried to an appropriate temperature.

Most of the newer stoves meet strict EU EcoDesign Standards. These standards require that stove makers design wood burning stoves with energy efficiency and environmental protection in mind. Manufacturers must account for emissions, resource efficiency, and waste reduction when they design Ecodesign stoves. These are some of the most eco-friendly and cleanest stoves on the market today.

Another way to make your stove green is to replace the grates with ceramic. This material is not just aesthetically pleasing but also anti-smoking and helps to reduce sulphur oxide in the air. Ceramic grates also have a longer span and are easier to clean than steel grate inserts.

While you may still relax in cozy wood burners or a multi fuel stove in a Smoke Control Area It is vital to only use Defra approved fuels. You could be in breach of the law if you don't. To avoid this, you should only use Defra approved fuels, like anthracite that is manufactured smokeless in your stove.

Clean Burning

A Defra approved multi fuel stove is able to be used in smoke-controlled areas, provided it burns smokeless fuels only. It can be a kind of naturally occurring or manufactured smokeless log or anthracite, and it must conform to certain rules to be able to qualify as a Defra approved wood burning stove. Stove manufacturers must comply with the regulations in order to produce a DEFRA exempt wood burner for sale. The Stove Yard has a great selection of DEFRA approved multi-fuel stoves and wood burning stoves made by top brands like Arada, Parkray and Burley.

These stoves that are Defra exempt use the latest technology for combustion to reduce tar emissions and tar accumulation within your chimney or flue system. They utilize the latest secondary and tertiary airflow systems that ignite tar gases and particulates before they can escape into the atmosphere. This is what makes an Defra approved stove less polluting than older stoves that burn wood and open fires.

The design of a Defra approved stove is also different, most of our range include a hidden mechanism within the stove that allows for a small, continuous circulation of air into the fire, even when the air vents are shut. This prevents soot and ash being blown through the fireplace, which can cause dangerous chimney fires.

The new Defra-approved cooktops don't allow you to completely close the vents for air and sleep the stove over night and release part-burned combustibles to the atmosphere.

A DEFRA approved stove will also offer you a much longer burn time than other models, however it's important to note that if you changed your fuel of choice for smokeless coal and wanted to slumber your stove overnight then this could reduce the time to burn because the continuous supply of air required for slumbering would reduce the combustion of the smokeless fuel.

Emissions Reductions

If used properly the DEFRA-exempt stove will produce very low levels of emissions. These emissions are typically PM2.5 particles, which can cause a variety of health problems that include heart ailments and lung disease, when inhaled.

The high combustion efficiency provided by a DEFRA-approved wood burning device reduces the amount harmful particles and pollutants released by the process of burning. This reduces the impact on the environment, particularly in urban areas where pollution levels are very high.

As well as decreasing harmful emissions The efficiency of a stove reduces the cost of heating your home. If you use a DEFRA-approved wood burning stove place of a gas boiler, you can lower your carbon footprint and save money on your energy bills.

If you live in a smoke controlled zone, it's essential to make sure that your stove is DEFRA stoves features approved or Exempt because this permits you to burn Defra Approved fuels like manufactured smokeless coal ovals such as Anthracite and Homefire and dried wood and other approved solid fuels. This will allow you to relax in the fireplace, without worrying about how the stench of smoke could be a nuisance to your neighbors.

Many stoves that are DEFRA-approved, are tested according to clearSkies requirements and are able to be identified with the clearSkies label. The clearSkies scheme is an independent scheme which requires stove manufacturers to display information about the efficiency and emissions of their products to help consumers make an informed choice. The information must include the stove's efficiency rating, emissions, as well as the type and size.

It is important to remember that, just like Ecodesign the clearSkies regulations are 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 cleaner, producing less smoke without any compromise in efficiency or control. This latest advancement utilizes the patented twin catalytic combustion technique that recycles any smoke particles it produces, dramatically reducing their effects on the atmosphere.

In fact it's true that if you're in an smoke-free zone and are using an DEFRA Approved stove with a high-quality, kiln-dried or seasoned log, you'll be able to generate as much, or more, heat from the same amount of dry wood as you would if you were burning it in a non-DEFRA Approved stove. It could be up to 24 percent cheaper to heat your home by using a new Defra Approved Stove than using a gas boiler.

In compliance with Building Regulations

If you live in a Smoke Control Area, it's important to have a DEFRA approved multi fuel stove. They have passed tests to ensure that they don't produce any smoke when burning an approved fuel, so you can use them in areas that are typically heavily populated by buildings. At Choice Stoves, we supply and install a variety of DEFRA approved log burners from top brands like Mi-fires, Contura, Stovax, ACR, Broseley, Tiger, Cast Tec and more.

You can also safely burn wood, peat, and other solid fuels by using a DEFRA-approved multi-fuel stove. It is important to be aware that certain fuels are prohibited for use in Smoke Control Areas, so it's important to be aware of local guidelines and restrictions.

A proper ventilation system is crucial to the safe operation of a multi fuel stove, as this will help to reduce carbon monoxide accumulation within your home. DEFRA approved stoves come with an integrated ventilation system that supplies enough air to the combustion process. This will ensure that your home is always well 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 selection of flue liners is compatible with DEFRA approved stoves, meaning you can use them to improve your fireplace and ensure it meets the latest emissions requirements.

When you are choosing the DEFRA approved stove, look for the 'DEFRA symbol on its packaging or in the information provided by the manufacturer online. Many reputable stove retailers will also include this information on their websites as well as displays in stores so that you can easily identify which stoves meet the regulations.

If you're considering installing a multi-fuel stove, it's crucial that you have the task completed by a licensed professional to ensure compliance with the building codes. If you fail to follow the correct instructions for installation and procedures, you could face the issuance of a fine or even damage to your home. We recommend choosing a HETAS approved installer to handle the stove installation, since they will be well-versed in the guidelines of the manufacturer and building regulations.