Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves

There's a huge selection of defra-exempt multi fuel stoves to suit any home. Defra approved stoves meet government regulations and are engineered to burn fuel efficiently and emit low emissions.

This is especially important if you reside in a smoke-free zone. But even if don't have a smoke control area, a Defra stove is more beneficial for your chimney as well as your neighbors.

Defra Approved

You may have noticed across our website that a few of our wood burning stoves are listed as being DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. These terms may seem like jargon to the average homeowner, but they're not.

DEFRA is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. They are responsible for the policies and regulations related to food, agriculture and the environment. Defra approved stoves have been passed rigorous tests to ensure they abide by the government's strict rules for emissions of smoke during operation. These stoves are also designed to burn approved fuels like coal and wood more efficiently, which means they emit less pollution.

This is a good thing for those living in a Smoke Control Area as the law currently prohibits the emission of smoke within these areas unless you use an DEFRA approved stove and a fuel that is authorised. In the past, it was possible to install a non-Defra certified stove in a Smoke Control Area as long as you only used authorised fuels like wood. But, as of January 2022 the laws are changing and stoves that aren't approved will not be allowed to be installed unless they are equipped with a secondary or tertiary combustion system which can drastically reduce the production of particulate matter and NOx, DEFRA requirements stoves carbon dioxide and organic gaseous compounds.

Our Defra approved ranges are equipped with a mechanism that prevents you from closing down the top air vent completely. This can cause the fire smouldering and emitting smoke into your home. Instead, these stoves come with an adjustable air supply that allows you to open the top vent a little and still maintain a safe and efficient burn.

Another benefit of buying a Defra approved stove is that it is able to be fitted with a 5-inch chimney liner. This is important because many codes for building require chimneys to have a minimum 5-inch diameter.

Smoke Control Areas

If you live in a smoke control area you'll need a Defra approved stove to legally burn wood in your home. DEFRA has tested these stoves to ensure they meet the strict standards for smoke emissions that are required in smoke zones for control. You can view the list of areas for which you require a DEFRA log Burner Guidelines approved stove on the Defra website.

Defra Exempt Stoves & Multi Stoves Fuel

A Defra approved wood stove, also referred to as a DEFRA Multi Wood Burning Stove is one that has passed a stringent test that was developed by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs. The UK government agency is responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, assisting the agriculture and food industries and ensuring a vibrant rural economy. The tests that Defra Approved stoves must pass are designed to ensure that the appliance only produces very little smoke and grit while it is in use.

Stove Supermarket has a range of Defra Exempt Stoves that are multi-fuel stoves. This means that you can burn smokeless, authorised wood and seasoned fuels. These stoves are also known as Defra stoves, Defra approved wooden burners and are abbreviated SE.

In contrast to older stoves that are not suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, the latest Defra woodburning and multi-fuel stoves feature secondary and tertiary air systems in order to ensure that the wood is fully burned before it exits the chimney. This is a much cleaner method than simply leaving a log fire on the fire to burn for long periods and it reduces the amount of nuisance smoke that can be generated.

If you are living or planning to move into an area that is a Smoke Control Area then a Defra-exempt stove will be an excellent option for you. It's not just more environmentally friendly and efficient, but it also helps to reduce the nuisance smoke that could make your neighbors angry.

You can still enjoy an open fire, barbecues or a pizza oven in your garden. However, excessive or toxic smoke could be considered a nuisance and you could be fined. It is also prohibited to burn damp, wet or rotting wood or any other fuels on an open fire or stove within a Smoke Control Area.

Burning Other Fuels Besides Cars

Defra Approved Stoves are engineered to burn different types of fuels including wood. They burn wood with such efficiency that they are in compliance with strict emission regulations of the government when operating in smoke zones for control. They can be used in any smoke-control zone, provided they are burning approved fuels such as logs, briquettes and pellets. Stoves that have been certified by Defra will be marked with a SE' logo that stands for Smoke Exempt.

A stove that is Defra-approved differs from a conventional multifuel stove in that it has secondary air vents that pre-heat air prior to entering the firebox. This pre-heated, heated and pre-heated air ensures that the fuel is ignited in order to produce a cleaner combustion. It also helps to reduce the build-up of soot up and prevents the chimney from getting blocked. The Defra stoves come with internal baffles that help control the flames and ensure an even heat distribution.

Defra could impose heavy penalties for anyone who is using appliances that are not approved by Defra in areas with smoke control. To avoid being accused of trespassing by Defra you should purchase and use a DEFRA approved stove that has been tested according to the government's strict criteria.

DEFRA stoves are also referred to as Clean Burn stoves. They can be used for most types of fuel, but are best suited to wood that is dry and soft. The air vents can't be shut completely, which means there is always oxygen to ensure the clean combustion.

This technology is not only compatible with the current standards for air quality of the government but also with the upcoming Ecodesign standards that will come in effect in 2022. Stovax wood-burning and multifuel stoves will be marked with the SIA Ecodesign Ready label, which confirms they meet the new emission standards that are more stringent. These new standards are being introduced as a part of the government's ongoing efforts to keep the nation's air clean and healthy.

Installation

If you are in a smoke control area then a Defra exempt multi fuel stove can assist you in complying with the rules. These wood burning and 5kw multi fuel stoves defra approved fuel stoves have been tested independently 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, such as coal without concern about the amount of smoke they generate.

Stoves that are DEFRA approved can reduce smoke levels using advanced technology for combustion that produces less smoke. These stoves typically use the second stage of combustion, which re-burns some of the waste products that were discarded from the first stage, making them more efficient and cleaner. These stoves reduce not only the amount of emissions but also the amount of soot in the chimney and flue.

This is a great benefit especially if you reside in a smoke-free area since it means you can sit in front of a real fire more often and for longer with the additional benefit of lower energy bills. These wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves are good for the environment because they emit less pollutant. They can also be used to burn more fuel than other stoves.

The majority of stoves can be made DEFRA exempt with the simple kit supplied by the manufacturer. This changes the air vents of the stove to stop them from being closed down at night. This is known as slumbering and it allows part-burned combustibles and flammables to escape into the atmosphere rather than being pushed up the chimney where they can block the flue. DEFRA approved stoves do not slumber and are therefore much more eco-friendly and far less likely to block a chimney.

It is recommended that an HETAS certified installer or Building Control officer install your DEFRA approved appliance to get the best out of it. You'll be able to rest in assurance that the installation was completed according to the correct specifications and is in compliance with the latest regulations. It will also protect your warranty, as the installer is able to self-certify their work.