What is a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove?

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

The Defra department of the government is responsible for the rules and regulations relating to rural issues, agriculture, and the environment. The 5kw defra multifuel stove test ensures you can burn wood or approved smokeless fuels such as Anthracite in a smoke-free area without upsetting your neighbours with annoying smoke.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly stoves use sustainable materials and fuels to reduce emissions. Eco-friendly stoves are usually designed to burn wood, or a combination of other approved fuels. There are a variety of eco-friendly multi-fuel stoves and log burners to choose from, ranging from modern to traditional models. Some eco-friendly stoves even make use of dung (the excreta of domesticated livestock) as an extremely efficient and carbon neutral alternative to wood.

The most important thing you can do to ensure your stove is green is to make sure that the fuel is properly seasoned, or kiln-dried. This helps reduce the amount of moisture and lets the wood burn more efficiently, producing less smoke. It is recommended to buy only wood that has been sourced from sustainable forests. When buying wood look for the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' label to confirm that it has been dried correctly.

Most of the newer stoves are compliant with the strict EU EcoDesign Standards. These standards require that stove manufacturers create wood burning stoves that are energy efficient and with environmental protection in mind. Manufacturers must take into account emissions, resource efficiency, and waste reduction when they design Ecodesign stoves. These stoves are among the most eco-friendly and clean stoves on the market.

Replace the grate on your stove with a ceramic grate. This will make it more eco-friendly. Ceramic is not only attractive, but it is also anti-smoking and helps to reduce sulphur oxide in the air. Ceramic grates also have a longer time and are more easy to clean than steel inserts for grates.

While you may still enjoy the comfort of a cosy wood burner or multi fuel stove in a Smoke Control Area it is crucial to use only Defra approved fuels. If you don't have this, you could be in breach of the law and risk getting a fine from your local council. You should only use approved fuels by Defra like anthracite-based round manufactured by Defra in your stove.

Clean Burning

Multi fuel stoves that are approved by Defra can only be used in smoke-controlled areas that burn only smokeless fuel. It could be a smokeless log, anthracite, or a manufactured or natural product. The stove manufacturers must also adhere to the regulations for selling a DEFRA-exempt wood burner. The Stove Yard has a an extensive choice of DEFRA approved multi-fuel stoves and wood burning stoves made by top brands like Arada, Parkray and Burley.

These types of Defra exempt stoves feature the most modern combustion technology that is designed to reduce the amount of emissions and tar build-up up in your chimney and flue system. The stoves employ secondary and tertiary systems that ignite particulates, tar gasses and other pollutants before they are released into the air. This is the reason Defra approved wood burning stoves are so much healthier than open fires as well as older generation stoves.

The design of a Defra approved stove is different too, most of our range has a hidden mechanism inside the stove that allows for a small flow of air to the fire even if the vents for air are shut. This is to stop soot and ash from getting carried up the chimney, which can hinder the stove's performance and result in dangerous chimney fires.

This is a crucial feature for anyone living in a smoke-free area The latest Defra approved stoves don't allow you to close off the vents completely, and allow you to sleep your stove all night which could release part-burned combustibles into the atmosphere.

A DEFRA-approved stove will also have a longer burning time compared to older non-Defra stoves. However should you decide to replace your fuel of choice with smokeless coal to rest the stove for a night it would also reduce the burn as the constant air supply required for slumbering will reduce the combustion of smokeless fuel.

Reduced Emissions

When used correctly the DEFRA-exempt stove will produce very low levels of emissions. These emissions are usually PM2.5 particles, which could cause a variety health issues, including heart conditions and lung diseases when inhaled.

The high efficiency of combustion offered by a DEFRA-approved wood burning device reduces the amount harmful particles and pollutants released by the burning process. This helps reduce the impact of the process of burning on the environment.

As well as reducing harmful emissions In addition, the efficiency of a stove reduces the cost of heating your home. Making use of a DEFRA approved wood-burning stove instead of a conventional gas boiler will reduce your carbon footprint and save you money on your energy bills.

If you live in an area where smoke is controlled, it's crucial that your stove be DEFRA Approved (or Smoke Exempt) since this will enable you to burn approved Defra fuels like manufactured smokeless ovals like Anthracite or Homefire and dried wood and other authorised fuels. This allows you to relax in your fireplace and not worry about the nuisance smoke that could disturb your neighbours.

In addition to being DEFRA approved and DEFRA Approved, a lot of stoves are tested to meet the requirements of clearSkies and can be marked with the clearSkies mark. The clearSkies mark is an independent scheme that requires stove makers to provide information on their appliances' efficiency and emissions, making it easier for consumers to make an informed choice. The information must include the stove's efficiency rating, emissions, and the type and size.

It is important to remember that, just as with Ecodesign, the clearSkies regulations are minimum standards and manufacturers can go beyond these. ESSE for instance has developed its latest stoves to be more Efficient Eco Design: Portable 5KW Stove and cleaner burning, producing less particulates without sacrificing performance or control. This latest development uses patented Twin Catalytic Combustion Technology that recycles all smoke particles, reducing their impact on the atmosphere.

In fact it's true that if you're in an smoke-free zone and you use an DEFRA Approved stove with a high-quality, kiln dried or seasoned log, you'll get as much, or even more, heat from the same amount of dry wood as if you were burning it on a non-DEFRA Approved stove. In fact, it could be as much as 24 percent less expensive to heat your home using a a new Defra Approved stove than conventional gas boilers.

Compliant with Building Regulations

If you live in a Smoke Control Area, it's important to have a DEFRA approved multi-fuel stove. The stoves have been tested to ensure that they don't emit smoke when burning approved fuel. Therefore, you can use these stoves in areas that have a large number of buildings. At Choice Stoves, we supply and install a range of DEFRA approved log burners from top brands including Mi-fires, Contura, Stovax, ACR, Broseley, Tiger, Cast Tec and more.

A DEFRA approved multi fuel stove will allow you to burn wood, peat and other solid fuels in a safe manner. It is essential to be aware that certain fuels can't be used in Smoke Control Areas.

For a multi-fuel stove to be safe to use, it is essential that you have the right ventilation. This will help reduce the accumulation of carbon monoxide inside your home. DEFRA approved stoves come with a built-in ventilation system that provides sufficient air to the combustion process. This will ensure that your home is always well ventilated, and safe to use.

In addition, DEFRA approved stoves have the minimum size for flues of 550mm2, so they can be used with a standard twinwall system. Our range of flue liners is compatible with DEFRA approved stoves. You can upgrade your fireplace to meet the latest emission requirements by using our wide range.

When you are choosing a DEFRA approved stove Look for the DEFRA' symbol on its packaging or in the manufacturer's information online. Numerous reputable stove retailers will also include this information on their websites and displays in stores to help you identify which stoves comply with the requirements.

If you're considering installing a multi-fuel stove, it's crucial to have the work done by a professional who is certified to ensure that you are in compliance with the building codes. Inadequately following guidelines for installation could lead to an expensive fine or damage to your property. We recommend choosing an HETAS approved installer to complete the stove installation, since they are familiar with the manufacturer's guidelines and building regulations.