Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves

There are a wide range of multi-fuel stoves exempt from the regulations of defra. Defra approved stoves are compliant with the regulations of the government and are designed to burn fuel efficiently and emit low emissions.

This is particularly crucial if you reside in a smoke-control area. But even if do not have a smoke control area, the Defra stove is better for your chimney and neighbours.

Defra Approved

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

DEFRA is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. They are accountable for the policies and regulations related to agriculture, food and the environment. Defra approved stoves have passed a rigorous test to ensure that they comply with the government's strict rules for smoke emission levels during operation. They're also designed to burn authorised fuels such as coal and wood more efficiently, which means that they produce less pollutants.

It is good news for those who live in a Smoke Control Area, as the law currently prohibits smoke emissions in these areas, unless you use an approved DEFRA stove and an approved fuel. In the past, it has been possible to install a non-Defra approved stove in a Smoke Control Area as long as you only used authorised fuels, such as wood. As of January 2022, the laws will change and non-approved stoves will not be permitted to be used unless they're fitted with a secondary and third-party system that will reduce their productions of particulate carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and organic gaseous substances.

In the case of our Defra approved stoves, they are equipped with a mechanism that will stop you from closing the top air vent all the way down, as this could cause the fire to smolder and Defra Stove release smoke into your room. Instead, these stoves feature an adjustable air flow that will allow you to open the top vent just a bit and still maintain an efficient and safe burn.

A Defra-approved stove can also be fitted with a 5 inch chimney liner. This is crucial as there are many construction regulations that require you need an elongated chimney with at least a 5-inch diameter.

Smoke Control Areas

If you reside in a zone of smoke control, you'll need a Defra-approved stove to burn wood legally within your home. DEFRA has examined these stoves to make sure they meet the strict standards for smoke emissions that are required in smoke control zones. On the Defra site, you can find a list of areas where a stove that is Defra-approved is required.

Multi Stoves for Fuel

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

A lot of the Defra Exempt stoves we stock at Stove Supermarket are also multi fuel stoves which allow you to use authorised smokeless fuels and seasoned wood. They are usually referred to as Defra stoves or Defra approved woodburners. They are often 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 fully burned prior to it leaving the chimney. This is a cleaner method than simply leaving a log fire on the fire to burn for a long time and it reduces the amount smoke that is generated.

If you reside in a Smoke Control Area, or considering moving into one, then a Defra exempt stove is an excellent choice for your property. It's not only more sustainable, but it also helps in reducing the amount of smoke that can cause a disturbance to your neighbors.

You can still enjoy open fires, barbecues, and pizza ovens in your yard but remember that smoke that is toxic or excessive could be a statutory nuisance and could result in a fine. In a Smoke Control Area, you are not permitted to use open fires or stoves for burning damp, rotten, or wet wood or any other fuels.

Burning Other Fuels

Defra Approved Stoves are made to burn a variety of fuels, including wood. They burn wood with such efficiency that they meet the strict regulations of the government regarding emissions during operation in smoke control areas. This means that they can be used legally in any smoke control area in the event that you're burning authorised fuels such as pellets, logs and briquettes. Stoves that are Defra approved will often be denoted with an 'SE' logo that is a reference to Smoke Exempt.

What makes the Defra approved stove different to conventional multifuel stoves is the fact that they have air vents which pre-heat the air prior to entering the firebox. This pre-heated air helps ensure that all the fuel is ignited and burned, which results in more efficient combustion. It also helps to reduce the build-up of soot up and stops the chimney from becoming blocked. Defra stoves also have internal baffle plates which help to regulate the flames and ensure even heat distribution.

The use of non-Defra-approved stoves in areas with smoke control could result in heavy fines from the UK government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). To avoid being prosecuted by Defra you should only buy DEFRA stoves and make use of a DEFRA approved stove that has been tested to the government's strict requirements.

DEFRA stoves are also known as Clean Burn stoves. They are compatible with all kinds of fuel, but they are especially suited to dry hard and soft wood. The air vents can't be shut completely, which means there is always oxygen available to support pure combustion.

This technology is not only in line with the current air quality standards of the government, but also with future Ecodesign standards that will come in place in 2022. Stovax wood-burning stoves and multifuel stoves will be branded with the SIA Ecodesign Ready label, which means they are compliant with the new emission standards that are more stringent. These new standards are being implemented as part of the ongoing efforts by the government to keep the nation's air clean and healthy.

Installation

If you reside in a Smoke Control Area and you are in a Smoke Control Area, a Defra exempt multi stove can help you comply with regulations. These wood burning and multi fuel appliances have been independently tested to ensure they meet the strict standards of smoke emission that are required in a smoke control zone. These appliances can burn wood, or other fuels like coal, without worrying about the amount of smoke they generate.

Stoves that have been DEFRA approved can lower smoke levels by using advanced combustion technologies that produce less smoke. These stoves employ the second stage of combustion that burns the waste products that were burned in the first stage. This makes them cleaner and more efficient. In addition to the reduction in emissions the stoves also lessen the amount of soot build-up within the flue and chimney.

This is great news if you reside in a smoke-free area as it means that you can sit in front of a real fire more often and for longer, with the added benefit of lower utility bills. Due to the less pollution, these kinds of wood burning and multi fuel stoves are beneficial to the environment since they can burn a wider variety of materials than other stoves.

The majority of stoves can be made DEFRA exempt using an easy manufacturer-supplied kit. This alters the air vents on the stove, preventing them from closing at night. This is called slumbering, and allows part-burned combustibles that would otherwise block the flue to be released into the atmosphere. DEFRA approved stoves don't slumber and are more sustainable for the environment. They also tend to block chimneys less often.

It is recommended that you have a HETAS certified installer or Building Control officer install your DEFRA approved appliance to get the best out of it. You'll have peace of mind knowing that your installation was completed in accordance with the correct specifications and is in compliance with the latest regulations. In addition, it will also guarantee your warranty as the installer can self-certify their work.