Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves
There's a huge selection of defra-exempt multi fuel stoves that will fit in with any home. Defra approved stoves are compliant with the regulations of the government and are designed to burn fuel efficiently with low emissions.
This is especially important if you live in a smoke control area. Even if you do not, a Defra Stove is more beneficial for your chimney and for your neighbors.
Defra Approved
You might have noticed that on our website, a number wood-burning stoves are listed as DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. These terms may seem like words 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 adhere to the government's strict rules for emissions of smoke during operation. They're also designed to burn approved fuels like wood and coal more efficiently, meaning that they emit less pollution.
This is a great news for anyone who lives in a Smoke Control Area since the law currently prohibits emissions of smoke within such areas unless you use a DEFRA approved stove and an authorised fuel. In the past, it has been possible to install a non-Defra-approved stove in a Smoke Control Area as long as you only used authorised fuels such as wood. But, as of January 2022, the rules are changing and any non-approved stoves are not permitted to be installed unless they are fitted with secondary or tertiary burning system that can dramatically reduce their production of particulate matter NOx, 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 could lead to the fire smouldering and emitting smoke into your home. Instead, these stoves have an adjustable air flow that lets you open the top vent slightly and still keep the safety and efficiency of your fire.
Another advantage of purchasing a Defra approved stove is that it is able to be fitted with a 5-inch chimney liner. This is important because many codes require a chimney to have a minimum of 5 inches diameter.
Smoke Control Areas
If you reside in a zone of smoke control you'll require a DEFRA-approved stove to use wood legally in your home. The stoves have been tested by DEFRA to ensure that they meet the strict standards of smoke emissions required in smoke control zones. On the Defra site, you will find a list of places where a stove that is Defra-approved is required.
Multi Stoves for Fuel
A Defra approved wood stove, also known as a DEFRA Multi Fuel or Wood Burning Stove is one that has passed a strict test designed by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs. The UK government body is responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, promoting the agriculture and food industries and sustaining a thriving rural economy. The tests that Defra approved stoves must pass are designed so that the appliance produces only small amounts of grit or smoke when it is operating.
Stove Supermarket stocks a number of Defra Exempt Stoves that are multi-fuel stoves. This means that you can use smokeless wood that is authorised and well-seasoned fuels. They are often described as Defra stoves or Defra approved woodburners, and they are often abbreviated as SE.
The latest Defra stoves for woodburning and multi-fuel come with secondary and tertiary ventilation systems that ensure that the wood is completely burned before it exits the chimney. This is a much cleaner process than just leaving a fire on the fire to burn for long periods of time and it reduces the amount of smoke that can be generated.
If you are living or planning to move into an area that is a Smoke Control Area then a exempted stove from Defra is the best option for you. It's not only more eco-friendly and efficient, but it also helps in reducing the amount of smoke that can make your neighbors angry.
You are still able to use an open flame, barbecues and a pizza oven in your garden. However excessive or toxic smoke can be considered a nuisance and you could be penalized. You are also not allowed to use damp, wet or rotting wood, or other fuels in an open flame or stove in an area designated as a Smoke Control Area.
Burning Other Fuels Besides Cars
Defra Approved Stoves are designed to burn various fuels, including wood. They burn wood with such efficiency that they are in compliance with strict government regulations for emissions when operating in smoke zones for control. This means that you can use them legally in any smoke control zone as long as you're burning fuels that are approved, such as logs, pellets and Briquettes. Stoves that are Defra approved will usually be identified by the a 'SE' logo which is a reference to Smoke Exempt.
What is it that makes a Defra approved stove different from conventional multifuel stoves is the fact that they have air vents which pre-heat the air prior to it entering the firebox. This pre-heated, heated air ensures that the fuel is ignited in order to ensure a cleaner combustion. This also prevents the accumulation of soot and blockages in the chimney. The Defra stoves come with internal baffles which help to regulate the flames and ensure an even heat distribution.
Defra could impose severe fines on anyone who uses a non-Defra approved appliance in areas with smoke control. To avoid the risk of being charged by Defra you should only purchase and make use of a DEFRA approved stove that has been tested to meet the government's strict criteria.
DEFRA stoves are also referred to as Clean Burn stoves. They can be used with most types of fuel but are especially suited to dry hard and soft wood. They are designed with air vents that cannot be completely closed so the stove will always get a supply of oxygen to ensure the clean combustion process and reduce the risk of the risk of noxious gases and soot.
This technology is not only compliant with the current standards for air quality of the government, but also with future Ecodesign requirements that will be in effect in 2022. A majority of Stovax wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves we sell will bear this SIA Ecodesign Ready mark which signifies that they are in compliance with the new, stricter emission standards. These new standards are being implemented as part of the ongoing efforts by the government to ensure that the air in the country is clean and healthy.
Installation
If you are in a smoke control area then a Defra exempt multi fuel stove will aid you in observing the regulations. These wood-burning and multi fuel stoves have been tested by independent experts to ensure that they meet the strict standards for smoke emissions that are required in a smoke control zone. They can burn wood or other fuels such as coal without worrying about the level of smoke they produce.
recommended DEFRA stoves that have been DEFRA approved can reduce the amount of smoke produced by advanced combustion techniques that produce less smoke. They usually employ the second stage of combustion, which re-burns some of the waste products from the first stage, making them less polluting and more efficient. These stoves reduce not only the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, but also the amount of soot in the chimney and flue.
This is a great benefit for those who live in a smoke controlled zone as it means you can have a genuine fire more often and longer, with the additional benefit of lower energy bills. These multi-fuel and wood burning stoves are beneficial to the environment since they release less pollutant. They can also be used to burn more materials than other stoves.
A simple kit offered by the manufacturer can make most stoves DEFRA-exempt. This kit alters the vents for air on the stove to ensure that they are not closed 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 cause obstruction to the flue. DEFRA approved stoves do not sleep and are, therefore, more eco-friendly and far less likely to block the chimney.
It is recommended that you have a HETAS registered installer or a Building Control officer install your DEFRA approved appliance to get the best out of it. You will have peace of assurance that the installation was completed in accordance to the correct specifications, and is in compliance with the latest regulations. In addition, it can also ensure your warranty since the installer will be able to self-certify their work.