What is a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove?

A defra-approved multi fuel stove is one that has successfully passed the Defra smoke tests. They are also sometimes called SE (smoke exempt) stoves.

The government Defra department handles rules and regulations concerning the rural, agricultural and environmental issues. The Defra test ensures you can burn wood or approved smokeless fuels such as Anthracite ovals within a smoke-free area without causing any disturbance to your neighbors by emitting nuisance smoke.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly stoves are designed to emit a minimum amount of carbon dioxide, by using fuel efficiently and utilising sustainable materials. They typically burn wood or a mixture of approved fuels, and are designed with environmental considerations in mind. There are a range of eco-friendly log burners and multi fuel stoves are readily available with a range of styles from contemporary to traditional models. Some eco-friendly stoves make use of dung as an efficient and carbon-negative alternative to wood.

The most important thing you can do to make your stove green is to make sure that the fuel is properly seasoned or dried and kiln-fired. This reduces the moisture content of the wood, allowing it to burn more efficiently. It's also a great idea to buy only wood that is sourced 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 meet strict EU EcoDesign Standards. These standards require stove makers to create wood-burning stoves with energy efficiency and environmental protection in mind. Manufacturers must consider emissions, resource efficiency, and waste reduction when they design Ecodesign stoves. This makes them some of the cleanest and greenest stoves available.

Another option to make your stove green is to substitute the grate with a ceramic one. This material is not just attractive, but it is also anti-smoking, and helps reduce sulphur oxide in the air. Ceramic Grease liners also have a longer life span and are easier to clean than steel grate inserts.

While you may still relax in cozy wood burners or a multi fuel stove in a Smoke Control Area It is vital to only use Defra approved fuels. You could be in violation of the law if you do not. To avoid this, you should only make use of Defra approved fuels, like an amorphous smokeless oval in your stove.

Clean Burning

Multi fuel stoves that are approved by Defra are only permitted to be used in areas that are smoke-controlled in the event that they burn only smokeless fuel. It could be a smokeless log, anthracite, or a manufactured or natural product. The stove manufacturers must follow the regulations to sell a DEFRA-exempt wood burner. Here at The Stove Yard we have an amazing selection of DEFRA lawful stoves approved stoves for wood burning and multi fuel stoves made by top brands such as Arada, Parkray, Burley, Stovax and many more.

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

The design of the Defra approved stove is also different The majority of our stoves has an internal mechanism hidden within the stove that allows a small flow of air through to the fire even if the air vents are shut. This is to prevent the soot and ash being released up the chimney that can cause obstruction to your stove and lead to dangerous chimney fires.

The new Defra-approved stoves don't allow you to shut the air vents and slumber the stove over night that could release part-burned combustibles to the air.

A DEFRA-approved stove can have a longer burn time compared to older stoves that aren't DEFRA-approved. However it is possible to replace your fuel of choice with smokeless coal to sleep the stove over night it would also reduce the burn as the constant supply of air needed to slumber would reduce the combustion of 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 problems and lung illnesses.

The high combustion efficiency provided by a DEFRA recommended stoves-approved wood burner reduces the amount harmful particles and pollutants released in the process of burning. This helps reduce the impact of the burning process on the environment.

The effectiveness of a stove can lower the cost of heating your home. Making use of an DEFRA approved wood burning stove over a conventional gas boiler can reduce your carbon footprint and save you money on your energy bills.

If you live in a zone where smoke is controlled, it's crucial that your stove is DEFRA Approved (or Smoke Exempt) because this will enable you to burn approved Defra fuels, such as manufactured smokeless ovals such as Anthracite or Homefire and dried wood and other authorised fuels. This will let you enjoy the fireplace without worrying that nuisance smoke could disturb your neighbors.

Many stoves, in addition to being DEFRA approved, are also tested to meet clearSkies standards and are able to be identified with the clearSkies label. The clearSkies scheme is an independent scheme that requires stove makers to provide information on the efficiency and emissions of their appliances that allow consumers to make an informed decision. The information must include a stove's efficiency rating and emissions, along with the type and size of the stove.

It is important to keep in mind that, just like Ecodesign clearSkies regulations set minimum standards. Manufacturers are able to go over and over these. ESSE, for example has designed its latest stoves to be more efficient and cleaner burning, producing less particulates without compromising on performance or control. This latest advancement utilizes the Twin Catalytic Combustion Technology, a patent-pending technology that recycles all smoke particles and reduces their impact on the environment.

If you live in a smoke-free zone and use a DEFRA Approved Stove with a top-quality, kiln dried or DEFRA Stoves Ratings seasoned log, you'll get the same amount of heat, or even more in the same amount of dry wood as when it was burned in the non DEFRA stoves ratings Approved Stove. In fact, it can be as much as 24 per cent cheaper to heat your home using a an newest DEFRA Approved stove than a traditional gas boiler.

In compliance with Building Regulations

If you reside in a Smoke Control Area, it's important to have a DEFRA approved multi-fuel stove. The stoves have been tested to ensure that they don't emit smoke when burning approved fuel. They can therefore be used these stoves in areas that have a lot of buildings. We install and supply DEFRA approved log stoves from the top brands like Mi-fires and 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 not permitted in Smoke Control Areas, so it's essential to be familiar with local regulations and restrictions.

To allow a multi-fuel stove to be safe to use, it is essential that you have the appropriate ventilation. This will help reduce the buildup of carbon monoxide within your home. DEFRA approved stoves have an integrated ventilation system that delivers enough air to the combustion process. This ensures that your home is always fully ventilated and safe to use.

DEFRA approved stoves also have a minimum size of 550mm2, which means they can be used in conjunction with a standard dualwall flue system. Our vast selection of flue liners is compatible with DEFRA approved stoves, meaning you can upgrade your existing fireplace and ensure that it is in line with the latest emission standards.

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 on their displays in the store, so you can easily identify which stoves meet the requirements.

It is essential to employ a certified professional if you intend to install a multi-fuel fireplace. This will ensure that the installation is in compliance with building codes. If you do not adhere to the proper installation guidelines this could result in an expensive fine or damage to your home. We suggest using an HETAS approved installer to complete your stove installation, because they will be familiar with the manufacturers guidelines and building regulations.