What is a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove?
A multi-fuel stove that has been approved by defra is one that has passed the Defra test for smoke. These stoves are sometimes called SE (smoke-exempt) stoves.
The government's Defra department handles rules and regulations concerning the environment, farming and rural issues. The Defra Test assures you that you are able to burn wood or approved smokeless fuels such as Anthracite Ovals in a smoke-controlled area without disturbing your neighbours.
Eco-Friendly
Eco-friendly stoves emit a minimum amount of carbon dioxide, by making use of fuel efficiently and using sustainable materials. They typically use wood or a combination of approved fuels, and are designed with eco-friendly considerations in mind. There are a range of eco-friendly log burners and multi fuel stoves are offered, ranging from contemporary to traditional models. Some eco-friendly stoves even use dung (the excreta of domesticated livestock) to provide a highly efficient and carbon-free alternative to wood.
The most crucial aspect in ensuring that your stove is eco-friendly is to ensure that the fuel used is properly seasoned or kiln dried. This reduces the moisture content of the wood and allows it to burn more efficiently. It is also a good idea to purchase only wood that has been harvested from sustainable forests. Look for the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' logo when buying wood to ensure it has been dried to an appropriate temperature.
Most modern stoves are designed to meet the strict EU EcoDesign standards. These standards require that stove makers create wood-burning stoves that have energy efficiency and environmental protection in the back of their minds. Ecodesign stoves have to take into account emissions, resource efficiency and waste reduction. They are among the greenest and most environmentally friendly stoves on the market.
Another option to make your stove more green is to replace the grate with a ceramic one. It is not just aesthetically pleasing, but it also has the added benefit of being anti-smoking and helping to reduce the amount of sulphur dioxide that is released into the air. Additionally, ceramic grates are easy to clean and have a longer lifespan than steel grate inserts.
In a Smoke Control Area you can still enjoy the wood burner or multi-fuel stove, however it is crucial to use only fuels that have been approved by Defra. If you do not have this, you could be in breach of the law and face being fined by the local council. You should only use approved fuels by Defra like a manufactured anthracite round, in your stove.
Clean Burning
Multi fuel stoves that have been approved by Defra are only permitted to be used in smoke-controlled areas that burn only smokeless fuel. It can be a non-smokeless log, anthracite, or a naturally occurring or manufactured product. The stove makers must follow the regulations to sell a DEFRA-exempt wood burner. Here at The Stove Yard we have a fantastic choice of DEFRA approved wood burning stoves and multi fuel stoves made by top brands like Arada, Parkray, Burley, Stovax and many more.
These types of Defra exempt stoves come with the latest combustion technology designed to reduce emissions and the build-up of tar up in your chimney and flue system. The stoves utilize secondary and tertiary systems to ignite particulates, tar gases and other pollutants before they are released into the air. This is why Defra approved wood burning stoves are much healthier than open fires as well as older models of stoves.
The design of a Defra-approved stove is different. The majority of our range has a hidden mechanism that allows an intermittent flow of air into the fire even if the vents for air are shut. This stops ash and soot from being blown through the fireplace, which could cause dangerous chimney fires.
This is an essential feature for anyone living in a smoke control area, the new Defra approved stoves do not allow you to close off the air vents completely and then sleep on your stove for the night which could release part-burned combustibles into the air.
A DEFRA-approved cooktop will have a longer burning duration compared to stoves that aren't DEFRA-approved. However it is possible to switch your approved fuel with smokeless coal in order to slumber the stove overnight it would also reduce the burning time due to the constant supply of air needed to slumber would reduce the combustion of the smokeless fuel.
Reduced Emissions
If properly used the DEFRA-exempt stove will produce very low levels of emissions. These emissions are usually PM2.5 particles that, if inhaled, can cause numerous health issues including heart conditions and lung diseases.
The high combustion efficiency provided by a DEFRA-approved wood burning device reduces the amount harmful particles and pollutants released during the process of burning. This significantly lowers the impact on the environment, particularly in urban areas where pollution levels are very high.
The effectiveness of a stove can reduce the cost of heating your home. If you use a DEFRA-approved wood burner in place of a gas boiler, you can lower your carbon footprint while saving money on your energy bill.
If you live in a zone where smoke is controlled, it's vital that your stove is DEFRA approved (or Smoke Exempt) as it allows you to burn approved Defra Fuels such as manufactured smokeless ovals like Anthracite or Homefire as well dried wood and other approved 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 approved by DEFRA and DEFRA Approved, a lot of stoves are tested to meet the requirements of clearSkies and can be marked with the clearSkies mark. additional resources is an independent system that requires stove manufacturers to display information about their appliances efficiency and emissions so that consumers can make an informed decision. The information must include the stove's efficiency rating and emissions, along with the type and size of the stove.
It is important to remember that, just as with Ecodesign, the clearSkies regulations are minimum standards, and the manufacturers can exceed these. ESSE, for example, has engineered its latest stoves to be more efficient and cleaner burning and produce less particulates, without sacrificing performance or control. This latest advancement utilizes the Twin Catalytic Combustion Technology that burns all smoke particles which reduces their impact on the environment.
If you live in a smoke-free zone and are using 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 if it were burned in the non DEFRA Approved Stove. In fact, it can be up to 24 percent less expensive to heat your home with a new Defra Approved stove than with conventional gas boilers.
In compliance with Building Regulations
If you live in an area that is under smoke control, it is important to use a multi-fuel stove that has been approved by DEFRA. These stoves have been tested to ensure that they don't emit smoke when burning approved fuel. They can therefore be used them in areas that have lot of buildings. At Choice Stoves, we supply and install a variety 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. You should be aware that some fuels are prohibited for use in Smoke Control Areas, so it's essential to familiarise yourself with local regulations and restrictions.
A proper ventilation system is crucial to the safety when operating a multi fuel stove, as this will help to minimize carbon monoxide build-up in your home. DEFRA approved multi fuel stoves come with a built-in venting system that is able to automatically deliver sufficient air to the combustion process, so your home will always be properly ventilated and safe for use.
DEFRA approved stoves also come with a minimum size of 550mm2, which means they can be used combination with a standard dualwall flue system. Our wide selection of flue liners is compatible with DEFRA approved stoves, so you can improve your fireplace to ensure it is compliant with the latest emission standards.
Look for the DEFRA symbol on the stove's packaging or online. This information is also available on numerous reliable retailers' websites as well as in store displays.
If you're planning to install a multi-fuel stove, it's crucial that you have the task done by a professional who is certified to ensure compliance with the building codes. If you fail to follow the proper instructions for installation this could result in an expensive fine or even damage to your home. We recommend choosing a HETAS approved installer to handle the stove installation, since they will be familiar with the manufacturer's guidelines and building regulations.