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 Defra department oversees rules and regulations pertaining to the environment, agriculture and rural issues. The Defra test demonstrates that you are able to burn wood or approved smokeless fuels such as Anthracite in an area that is smoke-free without causing annoyance to neighbors with noisy smoke.
Eco-Friendly
Eco-friendly stoves are made of sustainable fuels and materials to reduce emissions. Eco-friendly stoves are typically made to burn wood or a combination with other approved fuels. There are many eco-friendly multi-fuel stoves as well as log burners available, from modern to traditional models. Some eco-friendly stoves use dung as a sustainable and carbon-negative substitute for wood.
The most important thing you can do to ensure that your stove is eco-friendly is to ensure that the fuel is properly seasoned, or dried in a kiln. This reduces the moisture content of the wood and allows it to burn more efficiently. It's also a great idea to purchase only wood that comes from sustainable forests. Look for the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' logo when buying wood to ensure it has been dried at an appropriate level.
Most of the newer stoves comply with strict EU EcoDesign Standards. These standards require stove makers to develop wood burning stoves that are energy efficient and with the environment in mind. Ecodesign stoves have to be designed to take into consideration emissions, resource efficiency and the reduction of waste. This makes them some of the most eco-friendly and clean stoves on the market.
Another option to make your stove eco-friendly is to replace the grate with a ceramic one. Ceramic is not only visually appealing, but also non-smoking and helps to reduce the amount of sulphur oxide found in the air. Ceramic grates also have a longer duration and are much easier to clean than steel grate inserts.
While you may still enjoy the comfort of a cosy wood burner or multi fuel stove in a Smoke Control Area, it is essential to use only Defra approved fuels. If you don't, it is possible that you could be in breach of the law and could face a fine from the local council. To avoid this, you should only make use of Defra approved fuels, like anthracite that is manufactured smokeless, in your stove.
Clean Burning
Multi fuel stoves that have been approved by Defra can be used only in areas with smoke control in the event that they burn only smokeless fuel. It can be a non-smokeless log, anthracite, or a naturally occurring or manufactured product. Stove makers must also follow the rules in order to create a DEFRA exempt wood burner available for sale. Here at The Stove Yard we have an amazing selection of DEFRA approved wood burning stoves as well as multi fuel stoves made by top brands such as Arada, Parkray, Burley, Stovax and many more.
These types of Defra exempt stoves come with the most advanced combustion technology, designed to reduce emissions and tar build up in your chimney and flue system. The stoves use secondary and tertiary systems to ignite particulates, tar gasses and other pollutants before they are released into the air. DEFRA approved multi-fuel stoves is the reason Defra approved wood burning stoves are so much healthier than open fires as well as older generation stoves.
The design of a Defra-approved stove is different. Most of our range has an internal mechanism that allows for an intermittent flow of air to the fire even after the vents for air have been closed. This is to stop soot and ash from getting released up the chimney that can block your stove and can lead to dangerous chimney fires.
This is an essential feature for anyone living in a smoke control area The new Defra approved stoves do not permit you to shut off the vents completely, and slumber your stove overnight which can send part-burned combustibles into the air.
A DEFRA-approved stove can have a longer burn time than older non-Defra stoves. However it is possible to switch your approved fuel with smokeless coal to slumber the stove overnight it would also reduce the burning time due to the constant supply of air needed for slumbering will reduce the burning of smokeless fuel.
Emissions Reductions
When used correctly, a DEFRA-exempt stove can produce very low levels of emissions. These emissions are typically PM2.5 particles, which can cause a range of health issues, including heart conditions and lung diseases when inhaled.
The high efficiency of combustion provided by a DEFRA-approved wood burner reduces the amount harmful particles and pollutants released during the process of burning. This minimizes the impact of the burning process on the environment.
As well as cutting harmful emissions In addition, the efficiency of a stove can reduce the cost of heating your home. Utilizing an DEFRA approved wood-burning stove instead of gas boilers of the conventional variety can help reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your energy costs.
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 such as manufactured smokeless coal ovals like Anthracite and Homefire as well as dried wood and other authorised solid fuels. This allows you to relax in your fireplace and not worry about nuisance smoke disturbing your neighbors.
Many stoves, in addition to being DEFRA certified, are tested according to clearSkies requirements and can be labelled using the clearSkies label. The clearSkies scheme is an independent scheme that requires stove makers to provide information about the efficiency and emissions of their appliances, allowing consumers make an informed decision. The information must include the stove's efficiency rating, emissions, as well as the type and size.
However, it's important to remember that, like Ecodesign the clearSkies regulations are minimum standards, and the manufacturers can go beyond these. ESSE, for example has designed its latest stoves to be even more efficient and cleaner burning and produce less particulates, without compromising on performance or control. This latest advancement utilizes the Twin Catalytic Combustion Technology, a patent-pending technology that reburns all smoke particles and reduces their impact on the atmosphere.
In reality when you're in a smoke controlled zone and use a DEFRA Approved stove with a high-quality, kiln dried or seasoned log, you'll generate as much, or even more heat from the same amount of dry wood as you would if you were burning it in a non-DEFRA approved stove. It could be up to 24 per cent less expensive to heat your home using an newest Defra Approved Stove than using gas boiler.
Conforms to Building Regulations
If you reside in a Smoke Control Area, it's important to have a DEFRA approved multi fuel stove. These stoves have been tested to ensure that they don't emit smoke when burning approved fuel. Therefore, you can use them in areas that have lot of buildings. We supply and install DEFRA approved log stoves from top brands like Mi-fires or Contura.
You can also safely burn peat, wood, and other solid fuels using a DEFRA-approved multi-fuel stove. It is crucial to be aware that certain types of fuels cannot be used in Smoke Control Areas.
Proper ventilation is vital for safety when operating multi fuel stoves, since it will help reduce carbon monoxide accumulation in your home. DEFRA approved stoves come with a built-in ventilation system that supplies sufficient air to the combustion process. This ensures that your home is always fully ventilated and safe for use.
Additionally, DEFRA approved stoves have the minimum size for flues of 550mm2, which means they can be used with a standard twinwall system. Our flue liner range is compatible with DEFRA-approved stoves. You can make your fireplace meet the latest emission standards by using our wide range.
Look for the DEFRA symbol on the stove's packaging, or online. This information is also available on many reliable retailers' websites as well as in store displays.
If you're considering installing a multi-fuel stove, it's crucial that you get the job completed by a licensed professional to ensure that you are in compliance with building regulations. Infractions to the correct installation guidelines could result in a fine and damage to your property. We recommend using an HETAS certified installer to carry out your stove installation, because they are familiar with the manufacturers guidelines and building regulations.