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. They are also referred to as SE (smoke exempt) stoves.
The government Defra department is responsible for implementing rules and regulations concerning the rural, agricultural and environmental issues. The Defra test ensures you can burn wood or approved smokeless fuels, such as Anthracite in a smoke-free area without causing any disturbance to your neighbors by emitting annoying smoke.
Eco-Friendly
Eco-friendly stoves make use of sustainable fuels and materials to reduce emissions. Eco-friendly stoves are typically made to burn wood or in combination of other approved fuels. A wide range of eco-friendly log burners and multi fuel stoves are offered with a range of styles from contemporary to traditional models. Some eco-friendly stoves make use of the dung of pigs as a reliable and carbon-negative substitute for wood.
The most important factor in making sure your stove is eco-friendly is to ensure that the fuel you are using is properly seasoned and kiln dried. This reduces the moisture content and allows the wood to burn more efficiently, generating less smoke. It’s also a great idea to purchase only wood from sustainable forests. Look for the Woodsure ‘Ready to Burn’ logo when purchasing wood to guarantee that it has been dried at an appropriate temperature.
Most newer stoves are made to meet the strict EU EcoDesign standards. These standards require that stove makers create wood-burning stoves that are energy efficient and with environmental protection in mind. Manufacturers must account for emissions as well as resource efficiency and waste reduction when designing Ecodesign stoves. They are among the greenest and most environmentally friendly stoves available.
Replace the grates on your stove with a ceramic grate. This makes it more sustainable. Ceramic is not just visually appealing and attractive, but it also comes with the added benefit of not being a smoker and helping reduce the amount of sulphur dioxide that is released into the air. Ceramic grate liners also have a longer life span and are easier to clean than steel inserts for grates.
In a Smoke Control Area you are able to use the wood burner or multi-fuel stove. However, it is essential to only use approved fuels by Defra. If you don’t have this, you could be in breach of the law and could face getting a fine from your local council. To avoid this, only use Defra approved fuels, such as an amorphous smokeless oval in your stove.
Clean Burning
A Defra approved multi fuel stove can be used in smoke controlled areas if it burns authorised smokeless fuels only. It can be a smokeless log, anthracite or naturally occurring or manufactured product. Stove manufacturers must comply with the regulations in order to create a DEFRA exempt wood burner available for sale. Here at The Stove Yard we have a fantastic choice of DEFRA approved stoves for wood burning and multi fuel stoves from leading brands like Arada, Parkray, Burley, Stovax and many more.
These types of Defra exempt Durable stoves feature the most advanced combustion technology, designed to reduce the amount of emissions and tar build-up up in your chimney and flue system. They utilize the latest secondary and tertiary airflow systems to ignite particulates and tar gases before they are released into the air. This is what makes the Defra approved stove so much cleaner than older generation wood burning stoves and open fires.
The design of the Defra approved stove is also different, most of our range has an internal mechanism hidden within the stove that allows a small continuous flow of air to the fire even if the vents for air are shut. This is to prevent the soot and ash being released up the chimney that can block your stove and can cause dangerous chimney fires.
This is a crucial feature for anyone who lives in a smoke-free zone The latest Defra approved stoves do not permit you to shut off the vents completely, and durable Stoves slumber your stove overnight which can send part-burned combustibles into the air.
A DEFRA-approved stove will also have a longer burn time compared to older non-Defra stoves. However it is possible to switch your approved fuel with smokeless coal to slumber the stove overnight and reduce the time of the burning time as the continuous supply of air required to slumber would reduce the combustion of smokeless fuel.
Reduced Emissions
When properly used when it is properly used, a DEFRA exempt stove can create extremely low levels of emissions. These emissions are typically PM2.5 particles which, when inhaled, could cause numerous health issues including heart conditions and lung diseases.
The high combustion efficiency of a DEFRA approved wood burner reduces the amount of harmful particles and pollution released during the burning process. This reduces the impact on the environment especially in urban areas where pollution levels are very high.
The efficiency of a stove can reduce the cost of heating your house. By using 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 reside in a smoke-free zone, it’s important to ensure that your fireplace is DEFRA Approved or Smoke Exempt because this permits you to use Defra approved fuels like manufactured smokeless coal ovals like Anthracite and Homefire and dried wood and other approved solid fuels. This lets you relax in your fireplace and not worry about nuisance smoke disturbing your neighbors.
Many stoves are, in addition to being DEFRA approved, are also tested in accordance with clearSkies standards and can be labelled using the clearSkies label. The clearSkies mark is an independent scheme that requires stove makers to provide information on their appliances efficiency and emissions allowing consumers to make an informed decision. The information must include the stove’s efficiency rating, emissions, as well as type and size.
It is important to remember that, like with Ecodesign, clearSkies regulations represent minimum standards. Manufacturers can go above and beyond these. ESSE has designed its latest stoves to make them even more efficient and clean, producing less dust without any compromise in the performance or control. This latest development uses patented Twin Catalytic Combustion Technology that burns all smoke particles, reducing their impact on the environment.
If you live in a smoke-controlled zone and use a DEFRA Approved Stove with a high-quality, kiln-dried or seasoned log you’ll get as much heat, or perhaps more, from the same amount dry wood as the same amount of wood burned in the non DEFRA Approved Stove. In fact, it could be as much as 24 percent cheaper to heat your home with a an newest DEFRA Approved stove than with a traditional gas boiler.
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 release any smoke when burning an approved fuel, so they can be used in areas that are usually heavily populated by buildings. At Choice Stoves, we supply and install a range of DEFRA approved log burners from the top DEFRA stoves brands, including Mi-fires Contura, Stovax, ACR, Broseley, Tiger, Cast Tec and more.
You can also safely burn wood, peat, and other solid fuels with a DEFRA-approved multi-fuel stove. Be aware that certain types of fuel are not permitted in Smoke Control Areas, so it’s essential to familiarise yourself with local guidelines and restrictions.
Proper ventilation is essential for safe operation of a multi fuel stove since it will help reduce the amount of carbon monoxide that builds up within your home. DEFRA approved multi fuel stoves come with an inbuilt venting system that can automatically supply an adequate amount of air to the combustion process, ensuring that your home will always be well ventilated and safe for use.
DEFRA approved stoves also come with a minimum size of 550mm2, meaning they can be used combination with a standard dualwall flue system. Our range of flue liners can be used with DEFRA-approved stoves. You can upgrade your fireplace to meet the latest emission requirements by using our wide range.
Look for the DEFRA symbol on the stove’s packaging, or online. This information is also available on many trustworthy retailers’ websites and durable Stoves in stores’ displays.
If you’re thinking of installing a multi-fuel stove, you must ensure to have the work done by a certified professional to ensure that you are in compliance with the building regulations. If you do not adhere to the proper instructions for installation and procedures, you could face the issuance of a fine or damage to your home. We suggest using an HETAS approved installer to handle the stove installation, since they will be well-versed in the guidelines of the manufacturer and building regulations.