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. They are also known as SE (smoke-exempt) stoves.

The government Defra department is responsible for implementing rules and regulations related to the environment, agriculture and rural issues. The Defra Test assures you that you are able to burn wood and approved smokeless fuels, such as Anthracite ovals in a smoke-controlled area without disturbing your neighbours.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly stoves are made of sustainable fuels and materials to reduce emissions. Eco-friendly stoves are usually made to burn wood or in combination with other approved fuels. A variety of eco-friendly log burners and multi fuel stoves are available with a range of styles from contemporary 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 factor in ensuring that your stove is eco-friendly is to make sure that the fuel you use is properly seasoned or kiln dried. This helps reduce the moisture content and lets the wood burn more efficiently, and produce less smoke. It is also a good idea to purchase only wood harvested from sustainable forests. Look for the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' logo when purchasing wood to ensure it has been dried to the right level.

The majority of modern stoves comply with strict EU EcoDesign Standards. These standards require that stove manufacturers design wood burning stoves that have energy efficiency and environmental protection in the back of their minds. Manufacturers must take into account emissions, resource efficiency, and waste reduction when they design Ecodesign stoves. These are among the most eco-friendly and cleanest stoves on the market today.

Another way to make your stove more green is to replace the grate with a ceramic one. It is not just aesthetically pleasing, but it also has the added benefit of not being a smoker and helping reduce sulphur dioxide in the air. Ceramic Grease liners also have a longer life duration and are much easier to clean than steel inserts into grates.

In a Smoke Control Area you are able to use a wood burner or multi-fuel stove. However, it is crucial to only use fuels approved by Defra Compliant Stoves List. You could be in violation of the law if you do not. It is recommended to only make use of fuels that have been approved by Defra like a manufactured anthracite round, in your stove.

Clean Burning

A Defra approved multi fuel stove is able to be used in smoke-controlled areas when it is burning authorised smokeless fuel only. It can be a kind of naturally occurring or defra compliant Stoves list manufactured smokeless log or anthracite and it must adhere to certain regulations in order to be able to qualify as a Defra approved wood burning stove. The stove manufacturers must comply with the rules for selling a DEFRA-exempted wood burner. Here at The Stove Yard we have an amazing selection of DEFRA approved stoves for wood burning and multi fuel stoves made by top brands such as Arada, Parkray, Burley, Stovax and many more.

These types of Defra exempt stoves come with the most modern combustion technology that is designed to reduce emissions and the build-up of tar in your chimney and flue system. They employ the most advanced secondary and tertiary airflow techniques to ignite tar gas and particulates before they are released into the atmosphere. This is what makes a Defra approved stove so much more eco-friendly than the older generation wood burning stoves and open fires.

The design of a Defra approved stove is also different. Most of our stoves have an in-built mechanism that allows an intermittent flow of air to the fire, even when the vents for air are closed. This prevents soot and ash being pushed into the fireplace, which could cause dangerous chimney fires.

The new Defra-approved stoves won't allow you to shut the vents for air and sleep the stove over night that could release part burned combustibles in the atmosphere.

A DEFRA approved stove will also give you the longest burn time than other models, however it's worth noting that if you changed your approved fuel for smokeless coal, and wanted to slumber your stove overnight then this would shorten the time to burn because the constant supply of air needed for slumbering would reduce the combustion of the smokeless fuel.

Emissions Reductions

If used properly, a stove that is exempt from DEFRA can produce very low levels of emissions. These emissions are typically PM2.5 particles, which, if inhaled, could cause a variety of health issues including heart conditions and lung diseases.

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

As well as cutting harmful emissions, the efficiency of a stove decreases the cost of heating your home. Using a DEFRA approved wood-burning stove instead of a conventional gas boiler can reduce your carbon footprint as well as save money on your energy costs.

If you live in a smoke controlled zone, you must ensure that your fireplace is DEFRA Approved or Smoke Exempt since this will permit you to use Defra approved fuels, such as manufactured smokeless coal ovals such as Anthracite and Homefire and dried wood and other authorised solid fuels. This allows you to enjoy your fireplace without worrying about nuisance smoke disturbing your neighbors.

In addition to being luxury DEFRA stoves approved Many stoves are tested to clearSkies level requirements and can be marked with the mark clearSkies. The clearSkies scheme is an independent scheme which requires stove manufacturers display information about the effectiveness and emissions of their products to help consumers make an informed choice. The information must include the stove's efficiency rating, emissions, as well as the type and size.

It is important to remember that, like with Ecodesign the clearSkies regulations are minimum standards. Manufacturers can go above and above these. ESSE has developed its most recent stoves so that they are even more efficient and clean, producing less smoke without any compromise in performance or control. This latest innovation utilizes Twin Catalytic Combustion Technology that reburns all smoke particles and reduces their impact on the atmosphere.

If you live in a smoke-free zone and use a DEFRA Approved Stove with a top-quality, kiln dried or seasoned log you'll get the same amount of heat, or perhaps more, from the same amount dry wood than if it were burned in the non DEFRA Approved Stove. In fact, it could be up to 24 percent cheaper to heat your home with a an newest Defra Approved stove than with conventional gas boilers.

Conforms to 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. The stoves have been tested to ensure that they don't emit any smoke when burning authorised fuel, which means they can be used in areas that are typically filled with buildings. At Choice Stoves, we supply and install a range of DEFRA approved log burners from the top brands like Mi-fires, Contura, Stovax, ACR, Broseley, Tiger, Cast Tec and more.

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

Proper ventilation is essential for safe operation of multi fuel stoves, since it will help reduce the amount of carbon monoxide that builds up in your home. DEFRA approved multi fuel stoves have a built-in venting system that is able to automatically deliver sufficient air to the combustion process, so your home will always be fully ventilated and safe to use.

In addition, DEFRA approved stoves have the minimum size for flues of 550mm2, meaning they can be used with a standard twinwall system. Our vast range of flue liners are compatible with DEFRA approved stoves, which means you can utilize them to improve your fireplace and ensure it meets the most recent emission requirements.

When choosing the DEFRA approved stove Look for the DEFRA symbol on its packaging or in the information provided by the manufacturer online. A lot of reputable stove retailers also display this information on their websites as well as in-store displays, so you can easily identify which stoves comply with the requirements.

It's important to hire a certified professional if you plan to install a multi-fuel fireplace. This will ensure that the installation is in line with building codes. Failure to follow the proper instructions for installation could result in a fine and damage to your property. We recommend that you choose an HETAS-approved installer to set up your stove, because they are knowledgeable about the guidelines of the manufacturer as well as the building codes.