What is a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove?

A multi-fuel stove that is defra-approved is one that has passed the Defra test for smoke. They are also sometimes called SE (smoke exempt) stoves.

The government Defra department is responsible for implementing rules and regulations pertaining to the environment, farming and rural issues. The Defra Test ensures that you can burn wood or approved smokeless fuels like Anthracite Ovals, for instance, in a smoke-controlled space without disturbing neighbors.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly stoves emit a minimum amount of carbon dioxide, by making use of fuel efficiently and using sustainable materials. They typically burn wood or a mixture of fuels that are approved, and are designed with environmental considerations in mind. There are numerous eco-friendly multi-fuel stoves and log burners that are available, ranging from traditional to modern models. Some eco-friendly stoves make use of dung as an efficient and carbon-negative substitute for 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 amount of moisture and allows the wood to burn more efficiently, and produce less smoke. It is recommended to purchase only wood procured from sustainable forests. When purchasing wood be sure to look for the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' label to ensure that it has been dried properly.

The majority of newer stoves are built to meet strict EU EcoDesign standards. These standards require that stove manufacturers create wood burning stoves that have energy efficiency and environmental protection in mind. Ecodesign stoves have to consider emissions, resource efficiency, and the reduction of waste. These are among the most eco-friendly and clean stoves available.

Replace the grates on your stove with a ceramic grate. This will make it more environmentally friendly. This material is not only visually appealing, but it also has the benefit of being non-smoking and helping reduce sulphur dioxide in the air. Additionally, ceramic grate liners are easy to maintain and have a longer lifespan than steel inserts into grates.

While you can still relax in cozy wood burning stoves or multi fuel stove in a Smoke Control Area It is vital to use only Defra approved fuels. If you don't then, you may be in violation of the law and could face a fine from the local council. To avoid this, you should only use Defra approved fuels, such as a manufactured smokeless anthracite oval, in your stove.

Clean Burning

Multi fuel stoves that have been approved by Defra are only permitted to be used in areas that are smoke-controlled that burn only smokeless fuel. This can be a type of natural or manufactured smokeless log or anthracite and it must adhere to specific regulations to meet the requirements for a Defra approved wood burning stove. Stove manufacturers must also comply with the regulations in order to create an DEFRA accredited stoves exempt wood burner for sale. The Stove Yard has a an extensive range of DEFRA approved multi-fuel stoves and wood burning stoves by leading brands like Arada, Parkray and Burley.

These stoves that are Defra exempt use the latest technology for combustion to reduce the amount of tar and emissions within your chimney or flue system. They employ the most advanced secondary and tertiary airflow techniques to ignite particulates and tar gases before they escape into the atmosphere. This is the reason why a Defra approved stove more eco-friendly than the older generation wood burning stoves as well as 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 a small circulation of air into the fire, even when the air vents are closed. This is to stop soot and ash from being released up the chimney that can hinder the stove's performance and lead to dangerous chimney fires.

This is a crucial feature for those who live in a smoke-free area, the new Defra approved stoves don't allow you to close off the vents completely, and allow you to sleep your stove all night which can send part-burned combustibles into the air.

A DEFRA approved stove will also give you an extended burn time than older non-Defra models, however it's worth noting that if you changed your authorised fuel for smokeless coal and you wanted to sleep your stove for the night, then this could reduce the burn time as the constant supply of air needed to slumber burn would slow the combustion of the smokeless fuel.

Reduced Emissions

When properly used, a DEFRA exempt stove can produce very low levels of emission. These emissions are typically PM2.5 particles, which can cause a range of health issues that include heart ailments and lung diseases when inhaled.

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

In addition to cutting harmful emissions, the efficiency of a stove can reduce the cost of heating your home. By using a DEFRA-approved wood burner in place of a gas boiler you can reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your energy bills.

If you live in a zone where smoke is controlled, it's crucial that your stove be DEFRA-approved (or Smoke Exempt) because this will enable you to burn approved Defra fuels, such as manufactured smokeless ovals like Anthracite or Homefire as well dried wood and other fuels that are authorised. This will allow you to enjoy your fireplace without having to worry about whether the smoke could disturb your neighbors.

In addition to being DEFRA approved, Defra approved multi-fuel stoves many stoves are also tested to meet the requirements of clearSkies and can be marked with the clearSkies mark. The clearSkies scheme is an independent scheme which requires stove manufacturers display information about the effectiveness and DEFRA Approved Multi-Fuel Stoves emissions of their products, allowing consumers make an informed choice. The information must include a stove's efficiency rating and emissions, along with the type and size of the stove.

However, it's important to remember that, just as with Ecodesign, the clearSkies regulations are minimum standards and manufacturers can go beyond these. ESSE has designed its latest stoves to make them even more efficient and less polluting, generating less dust without compromising efficiency or control. This latest advancement utilizes the Twin Catalytic Combustion Technology, a patent-pending technology that reburns all smoke particles, reducing their impact on the atmosphere.

If you live in a smoke-controlled zone and you use a DEFRA Approved Stove with a high quality, kiln-dried or seasoned log, you'll get the same amount of heat, or perhaps more in the same amount of dry wood as the same amount of wood burned in the non DEFRA Approved Stove. It is up to 24 percent cheaper to heat your home with the latest Defra Approved Stove than gas boiler.

Compliant with Building Regulations

If you live in an area that is under smoke control, it's crucial to choose a multi-fuel stove that is approved by DEFRA. The stoves have been tested to ensure that they don't release any smoke when burning approved fuel, which means they can be used in areas that are usually heavily populated by buildings. We install and supply DEFRA approved log stoves made by top brands such as Mi-fires and Contura.

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

Proper ventilation is essential for safe operation of multi fuel stoves, because it helps to reduce carbon monoxide accumulation within your home. DEFRA approved multi fuel stoves have a built-in venting system that automatically delivers enough air to the combustion process, so your home will be fully ventilated and safe to use.

DEFRA approved stoves also have a minimum size of 550mm2, which means they can be used in combination with a standard dualwall system. Our wide selection of flue liners is compatible with DEFRA approved stoves, meaning you can utilize them to enhance your fireplace and ensure it meets the latest emissions requirements.

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

It is essential to employ an experienced professional who is certified if you intend to install a multi-fuel fireplace. This will ensure that the installation is compliant with the building codes. If you fail to adhere to the proper installation guidelines, it could lead to the issuance of a fine or damage to your home. We recommend choosing an HETAS certified installer to complete the stove installation, since they will be familiar with the manufacturer's guidelines and building regulations.