What is a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove?

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

The government Defra department oversees rules and regulations related to the environment, agriculture and rural issues. The Defra test guarantees that you can burn wood or approved smokeless fuels like Anthracite ovals within a smoke controlled area without causing any disturbance to your neighbors by emitting annoying smoke.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly stoves make use of renewable materials and fuels to reduce emissions. Eco-friendly stoves are usually designed to burn wood, or in combination of other approved fuels. There are numerous eco-friendly multi-fuel stoves as well as log burners available, from modern to traditional models. Some eco-friendly stoves make use of the dung of pigs as a reliable and carbon-negative substitute for wood.

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

The majority of newer stoves are built to meet strict EU EcoDesign standards. These standards require stove makers to design wood burning stoves that are energy efficient and with environmental protection in mind. Ecodesign stoves should consider emissions, resource efficiency, and waste reduction. These stoves are among the greenest and most environmentally friendly stoves on the market.

Replace the grates on your stove with a ceramic grate. This will make it more eco-friendly. This material is not just attractive, but it is also anti-smoking, and helps reduce the amount of sulphur oxide found in the air. Ceramic grate liners also have a longer time and are more easy to clean than steel inserts into grates.

While you may still take pleasure in the comfort of cozy wood burning stoves or multi fuel stove in a Smoke Control Area it is crucial to use only Defra approved fuels. If you do not have this, you may be in violation of the law and face being fined by the local council. It is recommended to only make use of fuels that have been approved by Defra like anthracite-based round manufactured by Defra in your stove.

Clean Burning

A Defra approved multi fuel stove is able to be used in smoke-controlled areas if it burns authorised smokeless fuels only. It can be a non-smokeless log, anthracite, or a naturally occurring or manufactured product. Stove makers must also follow the rules in order to produce an DEFRA exempt wood burner available for sale. The Stove Yard has a great selection of DEFRA approved multi-fuel stoves as well as wood burning stoves from top brands such as Arada, Parkray and Burley.

These stoves that are Defra exempt use the latest combustion technology to reduce emissions and tar accumulation in your chimney or 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 much healthier than open fires as well as older models of stoves.

The design of a Defra-approved stove is also distinct. Most of our stoves have a hidden mechanism that allows a small, continuous flow of air into the fire even if the air vents have been shut. This prevents soot and ash from getting released up the chimney that can hinder the stove's performance and lead to dangerous chimney fires.

The new Defra-approved cooktops don't allow you to shut the vents for air and sleep the stove over night, which can send part-burned combustibles to the atmosphere.

A DEFRA legislation stoves approved stove also has the longest burn time than other models, although it's worth noting that if you switched your approved fuel for smokeless coal and you wanted to sleep your stove for the night, then this would shorten the burn time too as the continuous supply of air required for slumbering would reduce the combustion of the smokeless fuel.

Reduced Emissions

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

The high combustion efficiency of a DEFRA Recognized stoves approved wood burner reduces the amount of harmful particles and pollutants released during the combustion process. This minimizes the impact of the burning process on the environment.

In addition to reducing harmful emissions In addition, the efficiency of a stove reduces the cost of heating your home. Making use of the DEFRA approved wood burning stove over gas boilers of the conventional variety can help reduce your carbon footprint as well as save money on your energy costs.

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

Many stoves, in addition to being DEFRA certified, are tested to meet clearSkies standards and can be labelled using the clearSkies label. The clearSkies scheme is an independent scheme which requires stove manufacturers display information about the effectiveness and emissions of their products, allowing consumers make an informed decision. The information must include the stove's efficiency rating as well as emissions, along with the type and size of the stove.

It's important to keep in mind that, as with Ecodesign the clearSkies regulations are minimum standards. Manufacturers are able to go over and beyond these. ESSE for instance, has engineered its latest stoves to be even more efficient and cleaner burning with less particles, without compromising on performance or control. This latest advancement utilizes the patented Twin Catalytic Combustion Technology that recycles all smoke particles, reducing their impact on the atmosphere.

If you live in a smoke-controlled zone and are using a DEFRA Approved Stove with a top-quality, kiln dried or seasoned log, DEFRA Recognized stoves you'll get the same amount of heat, or even more in the same amount of dry wood than when it was burned in a non DEFRA Approved Stove. It can be up 24 per cent less expensive to heat your home by using an newest Defra Approved Stove than gas boilers.

Conforms to Building Regulations

If you reside in a Smoke Control Area, it's important to have a DEFRA approved multi fuel stove. These stoves have been tested to ensure that they do not emit smoke when burning approved fuel. You can therefore use them in areas that have lot of buildings. We install and supply DEFRA approved log stoves from the top brands like Mi-fires or Contura.

You can also safely burn wood, peat, and other solid fuels using a DEFRA-approved multi-fuel stove. You should be aware that some fuels are restricted for use in Smoke Control Areas, so it's essential to be familiar with local regulations and restrictions.

A proper ventilation system is crucial to the safety when operating a multi fuel stove because it helps to reduce the amount of carbon monoxide that builds up in your home. DEFRA approved multi fuel stoves have an integrated venting system that can automatically supply enough air to the combustion process, so your home will be properly ventilated and safe to use.

DEFRA approved stoves also have a minimum size of 550mm2, which means they can be used in combination with a standard dualwall flue system. Our wide range of flue liners are compatible with DEFRA approved stoves, meaning you can enhance your fireplace and DEFRA recognized stoves ensure it meets the latest emissions requirements.

When selecting the DEFRA approved stove look for the 'DEFRA' symbol on its packaging or in the manufacturer's information online. Numerous reputable stove retailers will also include this information on their websites as well as on their displays in the store, so you can easily identify which stoves comply with the regulations.

It is essential to employ an expert who is certified when you are planning to install a multi-fuel fireplace. This will ensure that the installation is compliant with the building codes. Failure to follow the proper instructions for installation could result in the issuance of a fine and damage to your property. We recommend that you choose an HETAS-approved contractor to install your stove, since they are knowledgeable about the manufacturer's guidelines and building codes.