What is a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove?
A defra-approved multi-fuel stove is one that has passed the Defra test for smoke. They are also called SE (smoke exempt) stoves.
The Defra department of the government is responsible for implementing rules and regulations related to rural issues, agriculture, and the environment. The Defra test guarantees that 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 emit a minimum amount of carbon dioxide, by making use of fuel efficiently, and using sustainable materials. Eco-friendly stoves are typically designed to burn wood, or a combination with other approved fuels. There are a variety of eco-friendly multi-fuel stoves as well as log burners available, from modern to traditional models. Some eco-friendly stoves utilize dung as a sustainable and carbon-negative alternative to wood.
The most important thing you can do to ensure your stove is eco-friendly is ensure that the fuel is properly seasoned, or dried in a kiln. This helps reduce the moisture content and allows the wood to burn more efficiently, producing less smoke. It is also a great idea to purchase only wood from sustainable forests. When purchasing wood be sure to look for the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' label to confirm that it has been properly dried.
The majority of newer stoves are compliant with the strict EU EcoDesign Standards. more resources require stove makers to develop wood burning stoves that are energy efficient and with the environment in mind. Manufacturers must consider emissions, resource efficiency, and waste reduction when designing Ecodesign stoves. These are among the most eco-friendly and cleanest stoves on the market today.
Another way to make your stove more eco-friendly is to replace the grate with a ceramic one. This material is not just attractive, but it is also anti-smoking and helps to reduce the amount of sulphur oxide that is in the air. In addition, ceramic grates are easy to keep clean and last longer than steel grate inserts.
While you can still relax in a cosy wood burner or multi fuel stove in a Smoke Control Area It is vital to use only Defra approved fuels. You could be in violation of the law if you do not. You should only make use of fuels that have been approved by Defra, such as anthracite-based round manufactured by Defra in your stove.
Clean Burning
Multi fuel stoves that are approved by Defra are only permitted to be used in smoke-controlled areas if they burn only authorised smokeless fuel. It can be a smokeless log, anthracite or naturally occurring or manufactured product. Stove manufacturers must also follow the rules in order to create an 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 top brands such as Arada, Parkray, Burley, Stovax and many more.
These kinds of Defra exempt stoves offer the latest combustion technology designed to reduce emissions and the build-up of tar up in your chimney and flue system. The stoves employ secondary and tertiary systems that ignite particulates, tar gasses and other pollutants before they are released into the air. This is the reason Defra approved wood burning stoves are so much more clean than open fires and older models of stoves.
The design of the Defra approved stove is also different Most of our range include a hidden mechanism inside the stove that allows for a small, continuous flow of air through to the fire even when the air vents are shut. This prevents ash and soot being pushed up the fireplace, which can cause dangerous chimney fires.
The new Defra-approved stoves won't allow you to shut the vents to let air in and then sleep on the stove for a night and release part-burned combustibles into the atmosphere.
A DEFRA approved stove will also offer you the longest burn time than other models, however it's important to note that if you switched your authorised fuel for smokeless coal and wanted to slumber your stove overnight then this would shorten the time to burn as the constant supply of air needed for slumber burning would curb the combustion of the smokeless fuel.
Emissions Reductions
When used correctly the DEFRA-exempt stove will produce very low levels of emissions. These emissions are usually PM2.5 particles, which, if inhaled, could cause a variety of health issues including heart conditions and lung diseases.
The high combustion efficiency provided by a DEFRA-approved wooden burner reduces the amount harmful particles and pollutants released in the process of burning. This minimizes the impact of the burning process on the environment.
As well as cutting harmful emissions The efficiency of a stove reduces the cost of heating your home. If you use a DEFRA-approved wood burning stove place of a gas boiler you can reduce your carbon footprint as well as save money on your energy bills.
If you live in an area where smoke is controlled, it's vital that your stove be DEFRA-approved (or Smoke Exempt) since this permits you to burn approved Defra fuels, such as manufactured smokeless ovals like Anthracite or Homefire as well as dried wood and other fuels that are authorised. This will allow you to enjoy your fireplace without having to worry about whether the smoke could be a nuisance to your neighbors.
Many stoves that are DEFRA approved, are also tested to meet clearSkies standards and can be labelled using the clearSkies label. The clearSkies mark is an independent scheme that requires stove manufacturers to display information about their appliances' efficiency and emissions, allowing consumers to make an informed choice. The information must include the stove's efficiency rating, emissions, as well as type and size.
It's important to keep in mind that, just like Ecodesign the clearSkies regulations are minimum standards. Manufacturers may go above and above these. ESSE has developed its most recent stoves so that they are even more efficient and less polluting, generating less smoke without compromising the performance or control. This latest innovation utilizes Twin Catalytic Combustion Technology, a patent-pending technology that burns all smoke particles which reduces their impact on the atmosphere.
In reality it's true that if you're in an smoke-free zone and you use a DEFRA Approved stove with a high-quality, kiln dried or seasoned log, you'll generate as much, or more, heat from the same amount of dry wood as you would if you were burning it in a non-DEFRA approved stove. In fact, it can be up to 24 per cent cheaper to heat your home with a the latest DEFRA Approved stove than conventional gas boilers.
In compliance with Building Regulations
If you reside in an area that is under smoke control, it is essential to select a multi-fuel stove that has been approved by DEFRA. They have passed tests to ensure that they don't emit any smoke when burning an approved fuel, so you can use them in areas that are usually well-populated with 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 wood, peat, and other solid fuels with a DEFRA-approved multi-fuel stove. It is crucial to be aware that certain types of fuels cannot be used in Smoke Control Areas.
For a multi-fuel stove to operate safely, it is essential that you have the right ventilation. This will help reduce the formation of carbon monoxide inside your home. DEFRA approved stoves have an integrated ventilation system that supplies sufficient air to the combustion process. This ensures that your home is always well ventilated and safe for use.
DEFRA approved stoves also have a minimum dimension of 550mm2, meaning they can be used in combination with a standard dualwall system. Our vast selection of flue liners is compatible with DEFRA approved stoves, so you can improve your fireplace and ensure that it is in line with the latest emissions requirements.
Look for the DEFRA symbol on the stove's packaging or on the internet. A lot of reputable stove retailers also display this information on their websites as well as displays in stores to help you identify which stoves meet the regulations.
It's important to hire an experienced professional who is certified if you plan to install a multi-fuel fireplace. This will ensure that the installation is in compliance with the building codes. Inadequately following guidelines for installation could lead to the issuance of a fine and damage to your property. We recommend that you choose an HETAS-approved contractor to install your stove, because they are familiar with guidelines of the manufacturer as well as the building codes.