What is a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove?

A multi-fuel stove that is defra-approved is one that has passed the Defra test for smoke. These stoves are often referred to as SE (smoke-exempt) stoves.

The Defra department of the government is responsible for the rules and regulations that deal with rural issues, agriculture, and the environment. The Defra Test ensures that you can burn wood or approved smokeless fuels such as Anthracite ovals in a smoke-controlled space without disturbing your neighbours.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly stoves are made of sustainable fuels and materials to reduce emissions. They typically burn wood or a mixture of authorised fuels, and are designed with environmental considerations in the back of their minds. There are a variety of eco-friendly multi-fuel stoves and log burners available, from modern to traditional models. Some eco-friendly stoves use dung as an efficient and carbon-negative substitute for wood.

The most important aspect to making sure that your stove is eco-friendly is to make sure that the fuel you are using is properly seasoned or dried. This reduces the moisture content and allows the wood to burn more efficiently, generating less smoke. It is also a good idea to buy only wood that is sourced from sustainable forests. When purchasing wood look for the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' label to ensure that it has been dried correctly.

The majority of newer stoves are built to meet strict EU EcoDesign standards. These standards require stove makers to create wood burning stoves that are energy efficient and with environmental protection in mind. Ecodesign stoves must take into account emissions, resource efficiency and the reduction of waste. These are among the cleanest and eco-friendly stoves available.

Another option to make your stove green is to replace the grate with a ceramic one. This material is not only aesthetically pleasing but also has the benefit of being non-smoking and helping reduce sulphur dioxide in the air. Additionally, ceramic grate liners are also easy to maintain and have a longer lifespan than steel inserts for grates.

In a Smoke Control Area you can still enjoy the wood burner or multi-fuel stove, however it is essential to use only fuels that have been approved by Defra. If you don't have this, you could be in breach of the law and could face a fine from the local council. To avoid this, only use DEFRA legislation stoves approved fuels, like a manufactured smokeless anthracite oval in your stove.

Clean Burning

Multi fuel stoves that are approved by Defra can only be used in areas with smoke control if they burn only authorised smokeless fuel. It can be a kind of natural or manufactured smokeless log or anthracite. it must conform to certain regulations in order to be able to qualify as a Defra approved wood burning stove. Stove manufacturers must also adhere to the regulations in order to create a DEFRA exempt wood burner for sale. Here at The Stove Yard we have an incredible selection of DEFRA approved stoves for wood burning and multi fuel stoves from leading brands such as Arada, Parkray, Burley, Stovax and many more.

These types of Defra exempt stoves feature the most advanced combustion technology, designed to reduce emissions and tar build in your chimney and flue system. The stoves use secondary and tertiary systems that ignite particulates, tar gasses and other pollutants before they escape into the air. This is why Defra approved wood burning stoves are much cleaner than open fires and older generation stoves.

The design of a stove that is Defra-approved is also distinct. The majority of our range has a hidden mechanism that allows an intermittent flow of air to the flame even if the vents for air are closed. This is to prevent the soot and ash from getting sent up the chimney which can block your stove and can lead to dangerous chimney fires.

This is a crucial feature for anyone who lives in a smoke-free area The latest Defra approved stoves do not allow you to shut the vents completely and then sleep on your stove for the night which could release part-burned combustibles into the atmosphere.

A DEFRA approved stove will also give you an extended burn time than older non-Defra models, although it's important to note that if you swapped your fuel of choice for smokeless coal and you wanted to rest your stove over night it would reduce the time to burn due to the constant supply of air needed for slumber burning would curb the combustion of the smokeless fuel.

Reduced Emissions

When properly used, a Defra regulations stoves exempt stove can generate very low levels of emissions. These emissions are typically PM2.5 particles, which, if inhaled, can lead to a variety of health problems, including heart diseases and lung illnesses.

The high efficiency of combustion offered by a DEFRA-approved wooden 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.

The effectiveness of a stove can reduce the cost of heating your home. By using a DEFRA-approved wood burning stove place of a gas boiler, you can lower your carbon footprint as well as save money on your energy bills.

If you live in a region where smoke is controlled, it's vital that your stove be DEFRA-approved (or Smoke Exempt) because this permits you to burn Defra Approved fuels like manufactured smokeless ovals like Anthracite or Homefire as well as dried wood and other approved fuels. This lets you enjoy your fireplace without worrying about a nuisance smoke affecting your neighbours.

In addition to being approved by DEFRA and DEFRA Approved, a lot of stoves are tested to clearSkies level requirements and can be labelled with the clearSkies label. The clearSkies scheme is an independent scheme which requires stove manufacturers display information on the efficiency and emissions of their appliances that allow consumers to make an informed decision. The information must include the stove's efficiency rating, emissions, as well as the type and size.

It's important to keep in mind that, like with Ecodesign the clearSkies regulations are minimum standards. Manufacturers can go above and beyond these. ESSE has developed its most recent stoves to be even more efficient and clean, producing less smoke without impacting the performance or control. This latest development uses patented twin catalytic combustion technology that burns off any smoke particles it creates drastically reducing their impact on the environment.

In fact it's true that if you're in an smoke-free zone and are using a DEFRA Approved stove with a good quality, kiln dried or seasoned log, you'll get as much, or more, heat from the same amount of dry wood as if were to burn it on a non-DEFRA Approved stove. In fact, it could be as much as 24 per cent cheaper to heat your home with a a new Defra Approved stove than conventional gas boilers.

Compliant with 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 variety of DEFRA approved log burners from 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 by using a DEFRA-approved multi-fuel stove. It is important to be aware that certain fuels can't be used in Smoke Control Areas.

To ensure that a multi-fuel stove can perform safely, it's crucial that you have appropriate ventilation. This will help reduce the formation of carbon monoxide within your home. DEFRA approved stoves come with a built-in 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 the minimum size for flues of 550mm2, so they can be used with a standard twinwall system. Our range of flue liners is compatible with DEFRA-approved stoves. You can upgrade your fireplace to meet the latest emission requirements by choosing from our extensive range of.

When you are choosing a DEFRA approved stove look for the 'DEFRA symbol on its packaging or in the manufacturer's details online. A lot of reputable stove retailers include this information on their websites and in-store displays, so you can easily determine which stoves are in compliance with the requirements.

If you're planning to install a multi-fuel stove, it's essential that you have the task done by a certified professional to ensure compliance with building regulations. If you don't adhere to the proper instructions for installation, it could lead to an expensive fine or even damage to your home. We recommend choosing a HETAS approved installer to handle your stove installation, as they will be familiar with the manufacturers guidelines and building regulations.