Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves
There’s a huge selection of defra exempt multi-fuel stoves that can be used in any home. Defra approved stoves meet government regulations and are engineered to burn fuel efficiently with low emissions.
This is particularly important if you reside in a smoke-control area. Even if you aren’t, it is important to know that a Defra Stove is better for your chimney and for your neighbors.
Defra Approved
You may have noticed across our website that many of our wood burning stoves are categorized as DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. To the average home owner, these terms might seem like jargon they do not need to be aware of, but this is not the reality.
DEFRA stands for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and they handle regulations and policies regarding the environment, farming and food. Defra approved stoves have been passed rigorous tests to ensure that they comply with the government’s strict rules for smoke emission levels during operation. These stoves are also designed to burn approved fuels like coal and wood more efficiently, meaning that they produce far fewer pollutants.
This is a good thing for those who live in Smoke Control Area, as the law currently prohibits smoke emissions in these areas unless using an approved DEFRA stove and an approved fuel. In the past, it was possible to install a non-Defra approved Portable 5KW Stove – MultiFuel Iron Fireplace NRG in a Smoke Control Area as long as you only used approved fuels like wood. From January 2022, the law will be altered and stoves that aren’t approved won’t be allowed to be used unless equipped with a secondary or third-party system that will reduce their productions of particulate, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and organic gaseous substances.
Our Defra approved ranges are equipped with a mechanism that prevents you from closing the top air vent completely. This can cause the fire to ignite and release smoke into your home. The stoves have an adjustable air flow that allows you to open the top vent just a little and still maintain the safety of a clean, efficient burning.
A Defra-approved stove can also be fitted with a 5 inch chimney liner. This is important because the majority of codes for building require chimneys to have a minimum 5-inch diameter.
Smoke Control Areas
If you reside in a smoke control area you’ll require a Defra approved stove if you want to legally burn wood in your home. The stoves have been tested by DEFRA to ensure that they meet the strict smoke emissions standards required in smoke control areas. You can see the list of areas in which you require a Defra approved stove on the Defra website.
Multifuel stoves and stoves exempt from Defra
A Defra approved stove, also referred to as 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 safeguarding our natural environment, supporting the food and farming industry and ensuring a vibrant rural economy. The tests Defra approved stoves must pass are designed to ensure that the appliance only produces very little smoke and grit while it is in use.
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 often called Defra stoves or Defra approved woodburners. They are usually abbreviated to SE.
Unlike older stoves, which are often unsuitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, the latest Defra multi fuel and woodburning stoves feature secondary and tertiary air systems that ensure that the wood is completely burned before it exits the chimney. This is a better method than simply leaving a log on the fire for a long period of time. It can also reduce the amount of smoke that is produced.
If you live in an area that is a Smoke Control Area, or in the process of moving into one, then a Defra exempt stove is an excellent choice for your home. Not only is it more environmentally friendly but it will also help minimise the nuisance smoke that could upset your neighbours.
You are still able to use open fires, barbecues, and pizza ovens in your garden however, remember that excessive or toxic smoke could be a nuisance for the law and you may be fined. It is also prohibited to use damp, wet or rotting wood or any other fuels in an open flame or stove in a Smoke Control Area.
Burning Other Fuels Besides Cars
Defra Approved Stoves are engineered to burn various fuels, including wood. They burn wood so efficiently that they comply with the strict emission regulations of the government when operating in smoke zones for control. This means that they can be used legally in any area of smoke control provided you’re burning fuels that are approved, like pellets, logs and Briquettes. Stoves that have been certified by Defra will bear a mark with a SE’ symbol that stands for 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. The pre-heated air helps ensure that all the fuel is ignited and burned, leading to a cleaner combustion process. This also prevents the accumulation of soot and blockages in the chimney. The Defra stoves come with internal baffles that help regulate the flames and ensure an even heat distribution.
Using non-Defra approved stoves in areas that are smoke-free could result in substantial fines from the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). If you wish to avoid being accused of being prosecuted by Defra, only make use of a DEFRA-approved cooking appliance that has been tested according to the guidelines of the government.
DEFRA stoves are also known as Clean Burn stoves. They can be used with most types of fuel, however, they are most effective with wood that is soft and dry. The air vents can’t be closed completely, so there is always oxygen available to ensure clean combustion.
This technology is not only in line with the current standards for air quality of the government as well as with the future Ecodesign standards that will come in effect 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 emission standards that are more stringent. These new standards are being introduced as a part of the government’s continued efforts to keep the nation’s air healthy and clean.
Installation
If you reside in a Smoke Control Area, a Defra-exempt multifuel stove can assist you in complying with regulations. This is because these wood burning and multi fuel stoves have been tested independently to ensure they comply with the strict standards for smoke emissions required in a Smoke Control Area. They can burn wood or other fuels, such as coal without worrying about the amount of smoke they generate.
Stoves that are Shop defra stoves: quality and eco-friendly Fireplaces approved can lower smoke levels by using advanced combustion technologies that create less smoke. These stoves typically use the second stage of combustion that re-burns a portion of the waste products from the initial stage, making them even less polluting and more efficient. These stoves can reduce not only the amount of emissions but also the amount of soot that gets into the chimney and flue.
If you live in an area that is smoke-free, this is a great idea to be aware of. You can enjoy a real fireplace more often and for a longer time. Plus, you will reduce your utility bills. These multi-fuel and wood burning stoves are good for the environment because they emit less pollution. They can also be used to burn more materials than other stoves.
Most stoves can be converted to DEFRA exempt using the simple kit supplied by the manufacturer. This kit changes the vents for air on the stove to ensure that they do not close at night. This is referred to as slumbering and it allows part-burned combustibles and flammables to escape into the air instead of going up the chimney where they could cause obstruction to the flue. DEFRA approved stoves do not sleep, and therefore are more eco-friendly and 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. This will provide you with the assurance that your installation was completed to the proper specifications and is in compliance with the latest regulations. In addition, it can also help to guarantee your warranty as the installer can self-certify their work.