Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves
There are a range of multi-fuel stoves exempt from the regulations of defra. Defra approved stoves comply with government regulations and are engineered to burn fuel efficiently and emit low emissions.
This is particularly crucial when you live in a smoke-control zone. Even if you don't need to, it is still advisable to have a Defra stove is safer for your chimney as well as your neighbors.
Defra Approved
You may have noticed across our site that a number of our wood burning stoves are listed as being DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. These terms might seem like jargon to the typical homeowner, but they're not.
DEFRA stands for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and they handle regulations and policies regarding the environment, farming and food. Defra approved products have gone through rigorous tests to ensure that they adhere to the strict guidelines of the government regarding smoke emissions during operation. They are also designed to burn approved fuels such as coal and wood more efficiently, which means they produce far fewer pollutants.
It is good news for those who live in a Smoke Control Area because the law currently prohibits smoke emissions in these areas, unless you use a DEFRA-approved stove with an approved fuel. In the past, it has been possible to install a non-Defra approved stove in a Smoke Control Area as long as you only used authorised fuels such as wood. From January 2022, the laws will change and non-approved stoves aren't allowed to be used unless they're equipped with a secondary or third-party system that will reduce the production of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and organic gaseous substances.
Our Defra approved ranges are also equipped with a mechanism to prevent you from closing the top air vent completely. This could result in the fire to ignite and release smoke into your home. Instead, these stoves have an adjustable air feed which lets you open the top vent slightly while still maintaining a safe and efficient burn.
Another benefit of buying a Defra approved stove is that it can be fitted with a 5-inch chimney liner. This is important since there are a variety of building regulations which state that you need a chimney with at least 5 inches of diameter.
Smoke Control Areas
If you reside in a zone of smoke control you'll need a DEFRA-approved stove to use wood legally within your home. DEFRA has tested these stoves to confirm that they meet the strict standards for smoke emissions that are required in smoke control zones. On the Defra website, you can see a list of areas where a stove that is Defra-approved is required.
Multi Stoves Fuel
A Defra approved wood stove, also called a DEFRA Multi Wood Burning Stove or Fuel is one that has passed a stringent test that was developed by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs. The UK government agency responsible for protecting our natural environment, assisting the food and agriculture industries and maintaining a thriving rural economic. The tests that Defra Approved Stoves must clear are designed so that the stove produces low levels of grit and smoke when it is in operation.
Stove Supermarket has a range of Defra Exempt Stoves that are multi-fuel stoves. This means that you can burn smokeless, authorised wood as well as seasoned fuels. They will often be called Defra stoves or Defra approved woodburners, and they are often abbreviated to SE.
Unlike older stoves, which are not suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, the latest Defra multi fuel and woodburning stoves feature secondary and tertiary air systems that ensure that the wood is completely burned prior to exiting the chimney. This is a better method than simply putting a piece of wood on the fire for a long period of time. It also reduces the amount nuisance smoke that is produced.
If you live in an area that is a Smoke Control Area, or if you are thinking of moving to one, a Defra exempt stove is the best choice for your home. defra exempt stoves is it more eco-friendly, but it will also help reduce the amount of smoke that can upset your neighbors.
You can still enjoy open fires, barbecues and pizza ovens in your garden but be aware that excessive or toxic smoke could be a nuisance for the law and you may be fined. You are also not permitted to use damp, wet or rotting wood or other fuels on an open fire or stove within the Smoke Control Area.
Burning Other Fuels Other Than Petroleum
Defra Approved stoves are engineered to burn a wide variety of fuels, including wood. They burn wood so efficiently that they comply with the strict regulations of the government for emissions when operating in smoke control zones. This means that you can use them legally in any smoke control zone in the event that you're burning fuels that are approved, such as pellets, logs and brquettes. Stoves that have been certified by Defra will bear a mark with a SE' symbol which means Smoke Exempt.
What is it that makes a Defra approved stove different to standard multifuel stoves is that they have air vents which pre-heat the air before it enters the firebox. The pre-heated air helps ensure that the entire fuel is ignited and burned, leading to a cleaner combustion process. It also prevents the build-up of soot in the chimney and keeps it from clogging. Defra stoves are equipped with internal baffles that help regulate the flames, and maintain an even heat distribution.
Using non-Defra approved stoves in areas that are smoke-free could result in substantial fines from the UK government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). To avoid being prosecuted by Defra you should only purchase and make use of a DEFRA approved stove that has been tested to the government's strict requirements.
DEFRA stoves are also referred to as Clean Burn stoves. They can be used with most kinds of fuel, but they are especially suited to dry hard and soft wood. Air vents cannot be closed completely, so there's always oxygen to aid in pure combustion.
This technology is not just compatible with the current air quality standards of the government as well as with the future Ecodesign requirements that will be implemented in 2022. A large portion of Stovax multi-fuel and wood burning stoves we sell will bear this SIA Ecodesign Ready mark which indicates that they comply with the new standards for emissions. These new standards are being introduced as part of the government's ongoing efforts to keep the country's air clean and healthy.
Installation
If you live in a smoke-free zone then a Defra exempt multi fuel stove will assist you in complying with the rules. This is because these wood burning and multi fuel stoves have been tested independently to ensure that they meet the strict smoke emissions standards that are required in a Smoke Control Area. These appliances can burn wood or other fuels like coal without concern about the level of smoke they generate.
Stoves that are DEFRA approved can lower smoke levels using advanced combustion technologies that create less smokiness. These stoves use an additional stage of combustion that re-burns waste products from the first stage. This makes them cleaner and more efficient. In addition to the reduced emissions the stoves also lessen the amount of soot that accumulates within the flue and chimney.
This is an excellent option especially if you reside in a smoke-free area since it means you can have a genuine fire more often and for longer with the added benefit of lower utility bills. As a result of the less pollution, these types of wood burning and multi fuel stoves are also eco-friendly since they are able to burn a wider range of materials than other stoves.
A simple kit provided by the manufacturer can make most stoves DEFRA-exempt. This kit alters the air vents of the stove to ensure that they are not closed at night. This is called slumbering, and it allows for part-burned combustibles that could otherwise block the flue to be released into atmosphere. DEFRA approved stoves don't slumber and are more sustainable for the environment. They also block chimneys less often.
It is recommended that a HETAS certified installer or Building Control officer install your DEFRA approved appliance to get the best out of it. You will have peace of peace of mind knowing that the installation was done in accordance with the correct specifications and that it is compliant with current regulations. Additionally, it will also guarantee your warranty as the installer will be able to self-certify their work.