What is a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove?

A defra-approved multi fuel stove is one that has successfully passed the Defra smoke tests. They are also known as SE (smoke-exempt) stoves.

The Defra department of the government is responsible for rules and regulations relating to rural issues, agriculture, and the environment. The Defra test ensures you can burn wood or approved smokeless fuels such as Anthracite ovals in a smoke-free area without causing any disturbance to your neighbors by emitting nuisance smoke.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly stoves make use of sustainable fuels and materials to reduce emissions. They typically use wood or a combination of approved fuels and are designed with eco-friendly considerations in mind. There are a variety 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 dung as a sustainable and carbon-negative substitute for wood.

The most important thing you can do to make your stove eco-friendly is ensure that the fuel is properly seasoned or dried and kiln-fired. This reduces the moisture content of the wood and enables it to burn more efficiently. It is also a great idea to buy only wood from sustainable forests. Look for the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' logo when buying wood to guarantee that it has been dried at an appropriate level.

Most newer stoves are made to meet the strict EU EcoDesign standards. These standards require stove makers to design wood burning stoves keeping energy efficiency and the environment in mind. Manufacturers must account for emissions, resource efficiency, and waste reduction when they design Ecodesign stoves. These are among the cleanest and eco-friendly stoves available.

Replace the grate on your stove with a ceramic grates. This will make it more environmentally friendly. Ceramic is not only visually appealing, but also non-smoking, and helps reduce the amount of sulphur oxide found in the air. In addition, ceramic grates are easy to keep clean and last longer than steel inserts into grates.

While you may still enjoy the comfort of cozy wood burners or a multi fuel stove in a Smoke Control Area it is crucial to only use Defra approved fuels. You could be in violation of the law if you don't. Only use fuels approved by Defra like anthracite-based round manufactured by Defra in your stove.

Clean Burning

Multi fuel stoves approved by Defra are only permitted to be used in smoke-controlled areas in the event that they burn only smokeless fuel. It could be a smokeless log, anthracite, or a manufactured or natural product. The stove makers must follow the regulations to sell an exempt from DEFRA compliant stoves wood burner. The Stove Yard has a an extensive selection of DEFRA approved multi-fuel stoves and wood burning stoves from top brands such as Arada, Parkray and Burley.

The Defra-exempt stoves employ the most advanced combustion technology to reduce emissions and tar accumulation in your chimney or flue system. The stoves use secondary and tertiary systems that ignite particulates, tar gases and other pollutants before they are released into the air. This is why DEFRA approved wood Burning stoves, 167.86.99.95, are so much healthier than open fires as well as older models of stoves.

The design of a stove that is Defra-approved is different. Most of our stoves have an in-built mechanism that allows the continuous flow of air into the fire even after the air vents have been closed. This is to stop soot and ash from being sent up the chimney which can block your stove and can result in dangerous chimney fires.

The new Defra-approved stoves won't permit you to completely shut the vents for DEFRA approved wood burning stoves air and sleep the stove for a night that could release part-burned combustibles to the atmosphere.

A DEFRA approved stove also has an extended burn time than older non-Defra models, but it's important to note that if you changed your authorised fuel for smokeless coal and you wanted to slumber your stove overnight then this could reduce the burn time because the constant supply of air required to slumber burn would slow the combustion of the smokeless fuel.

Reduced Emissions

If properly used the DEFRA-exempt stove will produce very low levels of emissions. These emissions are usually PM2.5 particles that, if inhaled, can cause various health issues, including heart problems and lung diseases.

The high combustion efficiency of a DEFRA approved wood burner decreases the amount of harmful particles and pollutants released during the burning process. This helps reduce the impact of the process of burning on the environment.

The efficiency of a stove can reduce the cost of heating your home. If you use a DEFRA-approved wood burning stove in place of a gas boiler you can lower your carbon footprint as well as save money on your energy bill.

If you live in a smoke controlled zone, it's essential to make sure that your stove is DEFRA approved or Exempt since this will permit you to burn approved Defra fuels, such as manufactured smokeless coal ovals such as Anthracite and Homefire as well as dried wood and other authorised solid fuels. This will allow you to enjoy the fireplace without worrying that nuisance smoke could be a nuisance to your neighbors.

In addition to being DEFRA approved, many stoves are also tested to clearSkies level requirements and can be labelled with the clearSkies mark. The clearSkies mark is an independent scheme that requires stove makers to display information about their appliances' efficiency and emissions, so that consumers can make an informed choice. The information must include the stove's efficiency rating, emissions, and type and size.

It's important to keep in mind that, just like Ecodesign the clearSkies regulations are minimum standards. Manufacturers are able to go over and beyond these. ESSE has developed its most recent stoves to make them even more efficient and cleaner, producing less particles without any compromise in efficiency or control. This latest development uses the patented twin catalytic combustion technique that burns off any smoke particles it produces significantly reducing their impact on the atmosphere.

In reality when you're in a smoke-free zone and you use an DEFRA Approved stove with a high-quality, kiln-dried or seasoned log, you'll get as much, or even more heat from the same amount of dry wood as if were to burn it in a non-DEFRA approved stove. It is up to 24 per cent less expensive to heat your home using a new Defra Approved Stove than using gas boiler.

Conforms to 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 they do not emit smoke when burning approved fuel. Therefore, you can use these stoves in areas that have a lot of buildings. At Choice Stoves, we supply and install a range of DEFRA approved log burners from the top brands, including Mi-fires Contura, Stovax, ACR, Broseley, Tiger, Cast Tec and more.

You can also safely burn peat, wood, and other solid fuels using a DEFRA-approved multi-fuel stove. It is important to be aware that certain fuels can't be used in Smoke Control Areas.

A proper ventilation system is crucial to the safe operation of a multi fuel stove as this will help to reduce carbon monoxide accumulation in your home. DEFRA approved stoves come with an inbuilt ventilation system that supplies sufficient air to the combustion process. This will ensure that your home is always well ventilated, and safe to use.

In addition, DEFRA approved stoves have minimum flue sizes of 550mm2, so they can be used with a standard twinwall flue system. Our wide range of flue liners are compatible with DEFRA stoves comparison approved stoves, so you can use them to improve your fireplace and ensure that it is in line with the most recent emission requirements.

Look for the DEFRA symbol on the stove's packaging or on the internet. This information is also available on many reliable retailers' websites as well as in store displays.

If you're planning to install a multi-fuel stove, it's essential to have the work completed by a licensed professional to ensure compliance with building regulations. If you don't adhere to the proper installation guidelines, it could lead to the issuance of a fine or even damage to your home. We recommend choosing a HETAS certified installer to carry out the stove installation, since they are well-versed in the guidelines of the manufacturer and building regulations.