Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves
There is a great range of defra-exempt multi fuel stoves to suit any home. Defra approved stoves are compliant with government regulations and are designed to efficiently burn fuel with low emissions.
This is especially important if you live in a smoke control area. Even if you don't have a smoke control area, the Defra Stove is better for your chimney and your neighbors.
Defra Approved
You may have noticed on our website, several wood burning stoves are described as DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. To the average homeowner these terms may seem like jargon they don't need to pay attention to but that isn't the truth.
DEFRA is the acronym for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and they oversee policies and regulations in relation to the environment, agriculture and food. Defra approved products have gone through rigorous testing to ensure they adhere to the strict guidelines set by the government for smoke emissions during operation. These stoves are designed to burn fuels like wood and coal more efficiently. This means they emit less pollutants.
It is good news for those who reside in a Smoke Control Area since the law currently prohibits smoke emissions within these areas, unless you use an approved DEFRA stove and an approved fuel. In the past, it was possible to install a non Defra approved wood stove in a Smoke Control Area, as long as you used only authorised fuels. As of January 2022, the rules will be altered and stoves that aren't approved aren't allowed to be used unless they are equipped with a secondary or secondary system that reduces the production of particulate matter nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and organic gaseous substances.
In the case of our Defra approved stoves, they are equipped with a mechanism that prevents you from closing the top air vent all the way down as this can cause the fire to get smoldering and release smoke into your room. The stoves have an adjustable air flow that allows you to open the top vent a small amount and still have the safety of a clean, efficient combustion.
A stove that is Defra-approved can be fitted with a 5-inch chimney liner. This is important because there are numerous building regulations that state that you need an elongated chimney with at least 5 inches of diameter.
Smoke Control Areas
If you reside in a smoke-control zone you'll require a DEFRA-approved stove to burn wood legally in your home. DEFRA has tested these stoves to ensure they meet the strict standards for smoke emissions required in smoke zones for control. On the Defra website, you can find a list of places which require a stove that has been approved by DEFRA.
Multifuel stoves and Defra exempt stoves
A Defra approved stove, also known as a DEFRA multi wood burning stove or fuel, will have passed a stringent test designed by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The UK government body is responsible for protecting our natural environment, promoting the food and farming industry and sustaining a flourishing rural economy. The tests Defra Approved Stoves must clear are designed so that the appliance emits only low levels of grit and smoke when it is operating.
Many of the Defra Exempt stoves we stock at Stove Supermarket are multi fuel stoves that will allow you to burn approved smokeless fuels as well as seasoned wood. They will often be described as Defra stoves or Defra approved woodburners, and they are usually abbreviated to SE.
The most recent Defra woodburning and multi-fuel stoves come with secondary and tertiary venting systems that ensure that the wood is fully burned before it exits the chimney. This is a much cleaner process than just leaving a fire in the stove to burn for long periods of time and reduces the amount of nuisance smoke that can be 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 could upset your neighbours.
You can still enjoy open fires, barbecues, and pizza ovens in your yard but be aware that toxic or excessive smoke could be a nuisance for the law and you could be fined. In the 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
Defra Approved stoves are engineered to burn a wide range of fuels including wood. They burn wood with such efficiency that they comply with the strict government regulations for emissions when operating in smoke control zones. This means that they can be used legally in any area of smoke control provided you're burning approved fuels such as logs, pellets and brquettes. Stoves that are Defra approved are usually identified with the an 'SE' logo that 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 secondary air vents which pre-heat the air prior to it entering the firebox. This pre-heated, heated air ensures that all fuel is ignited to ensure a cleaner combustion. It also helps to reduce the build-up of soot up and prevents the chimney from getting blocked. The stoves of Defra also come with internal baffle plates which help to control the flames and ensure even heat distribution.
The use of non-Defra-approved stoves in areas with smoke control could result in hefty fines from the UK government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). To avoid being accused of trespassing by Defra you should only buy and use a DEFRA approved stove that has been tested to meet the government's strict criteria.
DEFRA stoves are also known as Clean Burn stoves. They can be used for most types of fuel, but they are best suited to wood that is soft and dry. They're built with air vents that cannot be closed completely so that the stove will always receive oxygen to ensure clean combustion and minimise noxious gases and soot.
DEFRA approved sustainable stoves is not only compliant with the current air quality standards of the government but also with the upcoming Ecodesign standards that will come in place in 2022. Stovax stoves that burn wood and multifuel will be branded with the SIA Ecodesign Ready label, which confirms they meet the new standards for emission. These new standards are part of the government's continuous efforts to keep the air in the country clean and healthy.
Installation
If you live in a smoke-free zone then a Defra exempt multi fuel stove can help you comply with the rules. These wood-burning and multi fuel appliances have been independently tested in order to ensure that they comply with the strict standards for smoke emissions that are required in a smoke control zone. They can burn wood, or other fuels like coal, without worrying about the level of smoke they produce.
Stoves that are DEFRA approved can reduce smoke levels through advanced technology for combustion that produces less smoke. These stoves use an additional stage of combustion that re-burns waste products from the first stage. This makes them cleaner and more efficient. These stoves reduce not only the amount of emissions but also the amount of soot in the chimney and flue.
This is a great benefit if you reside in a smoke-free zone as it means you can sit in front of a real fire more often and for longer, with the added benefit of lower utility bills. Due to the less pollution, these kinds of wood burning and multi fuel stoves are good for the environment as they are able to use a wider range of materials than other stoves.
Most stoves can be made DEFRA exempt using a simple manufacturer supplied kit. This alters the air vents on the stove to prevent them from being closed down at night. This is referred to as slumbering and it allows part-burned combustibles to be released into the air instead of going up the chimney where they can cause obstruction to the flue. DEFRA approved stoves do not slumber and are more sustainable for the environment. They also tend to block chimneys less often.
It is recommended that you have a HETAS registered installer or Building Control officer install your DEFRA approved appliance to get the best out of it. You'll be able to rest in peace of mind knowing that the installation was carried out in accordance to the correct specifications, and is in compliance with the latest regulations. Additionally, it will also help guarantee your warranty as the installer can self-certify their work.