What is a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove?

A defra-approved multi-fuel stove is one which has passed the Defra test for smoke. They are also sometimes 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 stoves comparison test demonstrates that you are able to burn wood or approved smokeless fuels like Anthracite ovals within an area that is smoke-free without upsetting your neighbours with annoying smoke.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly stoves use sustainable fuels and materials to reduce emissions. They typically burn wood or a combination of authorised fuels, and are designed with eco-friendly considerations in the back of their minds. There are a variety of eco-friendly multi-fuel stoves as well as log burners to choose from, ranging from modern to traditional models. Some eco-friendly stoves utilize the dung of pigs as a reliable and carbon-negative substitute for wood.

The most important thing you can do to ensure your stove is eco-friendly is ensure that the fuel is properly seasoned, or kiln-dried. This helps reduce the amount of moisture and allows the wood to burn more efficiently, and produce less smoke. It is also a good idea to purchase only wood that is sourced from sustainable forests. Look for the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' logo when purchasing wood to ensure that it has been dried to an appropriate level.

The majority of newer stoves are built 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 consider emissions, resource efficiency, and waste reduction when designing Ecodesign stoves. These are among the most eco-friendly and clean stoves on the market today.

Another way to make your stove more eco-friendly is to replace the grates with ceramic. It is not just aesthetically pleasing and attractive, but it also comes with the benefit of being non-smoking and reducing the amount of sulphur dioxide that is released into the air. Ceramic grates also have a longer time and are more easy to clean than steel inserts into grates.

In a Smoke Control Area you can still use the wood burner or multi-fuel stove, however it is important to use only fuels that have been approved by Defra. If you do not, it is possible that you may be in violation of the law and face being fined by the local council. You should only use approved fuels by Defra like 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 areas with smoke control if they burn only authorised smokeless fuel. It can be a kind of naturally occurring or manufactured smokeless log or anthracite and it must comply with certain regulations in order to meet the requirements for an Defra approved wood burning stove. 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 amazing selection of DEFRA approved wood burning stoves and multi fuel stoves from leading brands like Arada, Parkray, Burley, Stovax and many more.

These kinds of Defra exempt stoves come with the most modern combustion technology that is designed to reduce the amount of emissions and tar build-up in your chimney and flue system. The stoves use secondary and tertiary systems that ignite particulates, tar gases and other pollutants before they escape into the air. This is the reason Defra approved wood burning stoves are so much healthier than open fires as well as older generation stoves.

The design of a stove that is DEFRA endorsed stoves-approved is also distinct. Most of our models have a hidden mechanism that allows the continuous flow of air into the fire even after the vents for air have been closed. This is to prevent the soot and ash from being carried up the chimney, which can hinder the stove's performance and lead to dangerous chimney fires.

This is a crucial feature for anyone who lives in a smoke-free area, the new Defra approved stoves don't permit you to shut off the vents completely and allow you to sleep your stove all night that could release combustibles that have been partially burned into the atmosphere.

A DEFRA stoves Comparison approved stove will also offer you a much longer 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 could reduce the burn time too due to the continuous supply of air required for slumbering would reduce the combustion of the smokeless fuel.

Emissions Reductions

If used correctly when it is properly used, a DEFRA exempt stove can produce very low levels of emissions. These emissions are typically PM2.5 particles, which, if inhaled, can lead to numerous health issues, including heart problems and lung illnesses.

The high combustion efficiency provided by a DEFRA-approved wood burner reduces the amount of harmful particles and pollutants released in the burning process. This significantly lowers the environmental impact especially in urban areas where pollution levels are high.

As well as decreasing harmful emissions In addition, 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 reduce your carbon footprint as well as save money on your energy bills.

If you reside in a smoke-free zone, it's important to ensure that your fireplace is DEFRA approved or Exempt as this will allow 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 will disturb your neighbours.

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

It is important to remember that, just as with Ecodesign, the clearSkies regulations are merely minimum standards, and manufacturers are able to exceed them. ESSE, for example has designed its latest stoves to be even more efficient and less polluting with less particles, without compromising on performance or control. This latest development uses Twin Catalytic Combustion Technology that burns all smoke particles and reduces their impact on the atmosphere.

In fact, if 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 be able to generate as much, or more, heat from the same amount of dry wood as if you were to burn it on a non-DEFRA Approved stove. It could be up to 24 percent less expensive to heat your home by using a new Defra Approved Stove than with 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. These stoves have been tested to ensure they do not emit smoke when burning approved fuel. They can therefore be used these stoves in areas that have a large number of buildings. We supply and install DEFRA approved log stoves from the top brands such as Mi-fires and Contura.

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

To ensure that a multi-fuel stove can be safe to use, it is essential that you have the appropriate ventilation. This will reduce the accumulation of carbon monoxide inside your home. DEFRA approved multi fuel stoves have a built-in venting system that is able to automatically deliver an adequate amount of air to the combustion process, so your home will always be fully ventilated and safe to use.

DEFRA approved stoves also have a minimum size of 550mm2, meaning they can be used combination with a standard dualwall flue system. Our range of flue liners is compatible with DEFRA approved stoves. You can make your fireplace meet the most recent emission standards by using our wide range.

When choosing the DEFRA approved stove Look for the DEFRA symbol on the packaging or in the manufacturer's information online. Numerous reputable stove retailers will also include this information on their websites and on their displays in the store, so you can easily determine which stoves are in compliance with the regulations.

It is important to work with a certified professional if you intend to install a multi-fuel fireplace. This will ensure that the installation is in line with building codes. If you do not follow the correct installation guidelines this could result in a fine or damage to your home. We suggest using a HETAS certified installer to carry out your stove installation, as they are well-versed in the guidelines of the manufacturer and building regulations.