DEFRA recognized stoves Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves

There are a wide range of multi-fuel stoves exempt from the defra regulations. Defra approved appliances comply with government regulations and are designed for efficient combustion and low emissions.

This is especially important especially if you reside in a smoke-free zone. Even if you aren't have a smoke control area, a Defra Stove is more beneficial for your chimney and for your neighbors.

Defra Approved

You may have noticed on our site that a number of our wood-burning stoves are listed as being DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. These terms might seem like jargon to the typical homeowner, but they are not.

DEFRA stands for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and they oversee policies and DEFRA recognized Stoves regulations in relation to the environment, agriculture and food. Defra approved products have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they adhere to the government's strict guidelines regarding smoke emissions during operation. They are designed to burn fuels like coal and wood more efficiently. This means they generate fewer pollutants.

It's a great thing for those who live in a Smoke Control Area since the law currently prohibits smoke emissions in such areas except when using an approved DEFRA stove and an approved fuel. In the past it was possible to install a non Defra approved wood stove in a Smoke Control Area, DEFRA recognized stoves as long as you used only authorised fuels. However, from January 2022 the laws are changing and any non-approved stoves will not be allowed to be installed at all unless they are fitted with a secondary or tertiary combustion system that will drastically reduce the production of particulate matter, carbon dioxide, NOx and organic gaseous compounds.

Our Defra approved ranges are equipped with a mechanism that stops you from closing the top air vent completely. This could result in the fire to ignite and release smoke into your home. These stoves feature an adjustable air supply that allows you to open the top vent just a bit and still keep an efficient, safe burning.

A stove that is Defra-approved can be equipped with a 5-inch chimney liner. This is important as numerous codes for building require chimneys to have a minimum of 5 inches diameter.

Smoke Control Areas

If you live in a smoke control area you'll need a Defra approved stove if you wish 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 zones for control. You can find the list of areas where you require a Defra approved stove on the Defra website.

Multi Stoves Fuel

A Defra approved stove, also referred to a DEFRA multi wood burning stove or fuel, has passed a rigorous test that was developed by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The UK government body who are responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting the agriculture and food industries and sustaining a thriving rural economy. The tests Defra Approved Stoves must pass are designed to ensure that the appliance emits only small amounts of grit or smoke when it's operating.

A lot of the Defra Exempt stoves we stock at Stove Supermarket are multi fuel stoves that allow you to use authorised smokeless fuels as well as seasoned wood. They are usually referred to as Defra stoves or Defra approved woodburners. They are usually abbreviated to SE.

In contrast to older stoves that are not suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, the latest Defra multi fuel and woodburning stoves have secondary and tertiary air systems that ensure that the wood is completely burned prior to exiting the chimney. This is a much cleaner procedure than leaving a log fire on the fire to burn for a long time and it 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 Defra-exempt stove will be the best option for you. It's not only more eco-friendly, but it also helps to reduce the nuisance smoke which can cause a disturbance to your neighbors.

You can still use open fires, barbecues and pizza ovens in your backyard however, remember that toxic or excessive smoke could be a nuisance for the law and you could be fined. In the Smoke Control Area, you are not allowed to use open flames or stoves to burn damp, rotten, or wet wood or any other fuels.

Burning Other Fuels

DEFRA stoves installation Approved stoves are engineered to burn a wide variety of fuels including wood. They burn wood so cleanly that they are in compliance with the strict regulations of the government for emissions in smoke control areas. This means that you can use them legally in any smoke control area in the event that you're burning fuels that are approved, such as pellets, logs and briquettes. Stoves that have been certified by Defra will be marked with a SE' logo which means Smoke Exempt.

What makes a Defra approved stove different to traditional multifuel stoves is that they have air vents that heat the air prior to it entering the firebox. This pre-heated air helps to ensure that the entire fuel is ignited and burned, resulting in a cleaner combustion process. This also helps prevent the accumulation of soot and blockages in the chimney. Defra stoves also have internal baffle plates that aid to control the flames and ensure even heat distribution.

Defra could impose heavy penalties on anyone who uses an appliance that is not approved by DEFRA in areas with smoke control. If you want to avoid being prosecuted by Defra make sure you use a DEFRA-approved stove that has been tested in accordance with government criteria.

DEFRA stoves are also known as Clean Burn stoves. They are compatible with all types of fuel but are ideally suited for dry soft and hard wood. They are designed with air vents that are unable to be closed completely, so the stove will always receive oxygen to support clean combustion and minimise soot and noxious gases.

This technology is not just in line with the current air quality standards of the government but also with the upcoming Ecodesign standards that will come in place in 2022. Stovax stoves that burn wood and multifuel 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 ongoing efforts to ensure that the air in the country healthy and clean.

Installation

If you are in a smoke-free zone then a Defra exempt multi fuel stove can help you comply with the rules. This is because these wood burning and multi fuel stoves have been independently tested to ensure that they meet the strict standards of smoke emissions required in a Smoke Control Area. These appliances can burn wood or other fuels such as coal, without worrying about the amount of smoke they generate.

Stoves that are DEFRA certified can reduce smoke levels by using advanced technology for combustion that produces less smokiness. These stoves use a second stage of combustion, which re-burns waste products from the first stage. This makes them cleaner and more efficient. In addition to reducing emissions, these stoves also reduce the amount of soot build-up within the flue and chimney.

This is great news especially if you reside in a smoke-free area as it means that you can have a genuine fire more often and longer, with the added benefit of lower utility bills. Because of the reduced levels of pollution, these kinds of wood-burning and multi fuel stoves are also beneficial to the environment since they can be used to burn a wider variety of materials than other stoves.

Most stoves can be converted to DEFRA exempt by using the simple kit supplied by the manufacturer. This changes the air vents of the stove, preventing them from closing at night. This is known as slumbering and it allows for part-burned combustibles that would otherwise block the flue to be released into the air. DEFRA approved stoves do not slumber and are better for the environment. They also block chimneys less often.

To get the most benefit 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 assurance that the installation was done in accordance to the correct specifications, and is in compliance with the current regulations. It will also protect your warranty since the installer can self-certify their work.