Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves
There is a great range of defra-exempt multi fuel stoves that will fit in with any home. Defra approved stoves comply with government regulations, and are designed to maximize fuel efficiency and emissions that are low.
This is particularly crucial when you reside in a smoke control zone. Even if you do not, it is still advisable to have a Defra stove is better for your chimney and the neighbours.
Defra Approved
You may have noticed across our site that a number of our wood burning stoves are categorized as being DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. To the average home owner, these terms might sound like jargon that homeowners don't have to be aware of, but this isn't the truth.
DEFRA is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. They are accountable for policies and regulations relating to food, agriculture, and the environment. Defra approved stoves have been tested rigorously to ensure they adhere to the strict regulations of the government regarding emissions of smoke during operation. They're also designed to burn authorised fuels such as coal and wood more efficiently, which means that they emit less pollution.
This is a good thing for anyone who lives in a Smoke Control Area because the law currently bans the release of smoke within these areas unless you use an DEFRA approved stove and a fuel that is authorised. In the past it was possible to install a non Defra approved wood stove in a Smoke Control Area, as long you used only approved fuels. However, from January 2022 the laws are changing and any non-approved stoves are not permitted to be used unless they have been equipped with secondary or tertiary combustion system that will drastically reduce their production of particulate matter, carbon dioxide, NOx and organic gaseous compounds.
In the case of our Defra approved stoves, they're also equipped with a mechanism which prevents you from closing the top air vent all the way down as this can cause the fire to smoulder and emit smoke into your space. These stoves feature an adjustable air flow that lets you open the top vent just a bit and still keep an efficient, safe burning.
Another advantage of purchasing a Defra approved stove is that it comes with a 5 inch chimney liner. This is important as the majority of codes for building require chimneys to have a minimum of 5 inches diameter.
Smoke Control Areas
If you live in a smoke-free zone you'll need a Defra approved stove if you want to legally burn wood in your home. DEFRA has examined these stoves to make sure they meet the strict standards for smoke emissions required in smoke zones for control. On the Defra site, you can find a list of areas which require a stove that has been approved by DEFRA.
Multifuel stoves and stoves exempt from Defra
A Defra approved stove, also referred to a DEFRA multi fuel or wood burning stove has passed a rigorous test designed by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The UK government agency responsible for ensuring the protection of our natural environment, assisting agriculture and food industry and maintaining a thriving rural economic. The tests that Defra approved stoves must pass are designed to ensure that the appliance emits only small amounts of grit or smoke when it is operating.
Stove Supermarket has a range of Defra Exempt Stoves that are multi-fuel stoves. This means you can burn authorised smokeless wood as well as seasoned fuels. These stoves are referred to as Defra stoves, Defra approved wooden burners and are abbreviated SE.
Contrary to older stoves, which are often unsuitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, the latest Defra multi-fuel and woodburning stoves come with secondary and tertiary air systems to ensure that the wood is fully 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 and reduces the amount of smoke that is generated.
If you live or plan to move into a Smoke Control Area then a stove that is Defra-exempt will be a great option for you. Not only is it more eco-friendly, but it can also help reduce the amount of smoke that can irritate your neighbours.
You can still use open fires, barbecues and pizza ovens in your yard however, remember that excessive or toxic smoke could be a statutory nuisance and you may be fined. In a Smoke Control Area, you are not allowed to use open flames or stoves for burning damp, rotten, or wet wood or other fuels.
Burning Other Fuels Other Than Petroleum
Defra Approved stoves are designed to burn a wide variety of fuels, including wood. They burn wood with such efficiency that they comply with the strict government regulations for emissions when operating in smoke zones of control. You can use them in any smoke-control zone, so long as they're burning approved fuels like logs, briquettes and pellets. Stoves that have been authorised by Defra will be marked with the SE' logo, which stands for Smoke Exempt.
A stove that is approved by Defra differs from a standard multifuel stove because it has secondary air vents that heat air before it enters into the firebox. This pre-heated, heated and pre-heated air ensures that the fuel is ignited in order to produce a cleaner combustion. This also helps prevent the accumulation of soot that can block the chimney. Defra stoves also come with internal baffle plates which help to regulate the flames and maintain an even heat distribution.
Defra could impose severe penalties for anyone who is using appliances that are not approved by Defra in areas with smoke control. If you want to avoid being accused of being prosecuted by Defra make sure you make use of a DEFRA-approved cooking appliance that has been inspected in accordance with government criteria.
DEFRA stoves are also referred to as Clean Burn stoves. They can be used with most types of fuel, however, they are most effective with wood that is dry and soft. The air vents can't be closed completely, so there is always oxygen to ensure pure combustion.
This technology is not just compliant with the current standards for air quality, but also with the future Ecodesign requirements that will come in 2022. Stovax stoves that burn wood and multifuel will be branded with the SIA Ecodesign Ready label, that confirms they comply with the new emission standards that are more stringent. These new standards are part of the government’s continuous efforts to ensure that the air in the country healthy and clean.
Installation
If you reside in a Smoke Control Area, a Defra-exempt multifuel stove can help you to comply with regulations. These wood-burning and multi fuel stoves have been tested by independent experts to ensure that they meet the strict standards of smoke emission required in a Smoke control area. These appliances can be used to burn wood or other authorised fuels, such as coal, without having to worry about the quantity of smoke they generate.
Stoves that are DEFRA approved can reduce smoke levels by using advanced combustion technologies that create less smokiness. These stoves typically use a second phase of combustion, which re-burns some of the waste materials from the initial stage, making them even more efficient and cleaner. In addition to the reduced emissions the stoves also lessen the amount of soot that builds up within the flue and chimney.
This is great news especially if you reside in a smoke-free area as it means that you can enjoy a real fire more often and for longer with the added benefit of lower utility bills. These wood burning and multi-fuel stoves are beneficial to the environment since they release less pollution. They can also be utilized to burn more materials than other stoves.
A simple kit provided by the manufacturer can make many stoves DEFRA-exempt. This kit can alter the air vents of the stove so that they do not close at night. This is called slumbering, and allows part-burned combustibles that would otherwise block the flue to escape into the atmosphere. DEFRA approved stoves don't slumber, and are better for the environment. Our Web Site tend to block chimneys less often.
To get the most benefit of your DEFRA approved stove, it is recommended that you have it professionally installed by a HETAS Registered Installer or an official from the Building Control Office. This will give you peace of mind that your installation was completed to the correct specifications and complies with the most current regulations. It will also help protect your warranty since the installer is able to self-certify their own work.