Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves
There are a range of multi-fuel stoves exempt from defra regulations. Defra approved appliances comply with the regulations of the government, and are engineered for fuel efficiency and emissions that are low.
This is especially important when you live in a smoke control area. However, even if love it do not, it is still advisable to have a Defra stove is more beneficial for your chimney as well as your neighbors.
Defra Approved
You may have noticed on our website that many of our wood burning stoves are categorized as DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. These terms may seem like words to the typical homeowner, but they're not.
DEFRA is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. They are responsible for the policies and regulations related to agriculture, food and the environment. Defra approved products have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they meet the strict guidelines set by the government for smoke emissions when operating. They are also designed to burn approved fuels such as coal and wood more efficiently, which means they produce far fewer pollutants.
This is a great news for anyone who lives in a Smoke Control Area since the law currently bans the release of smoke within these areas, unless you are using an DEFRA approved stove and a fuel approved by DEFRA. In the past, it has been possible to install a non-Defra certified stove in a Smoke Control Area as long as you used only approved fuels, such as wood. As of January 2022, the rules will be altered and stoves that aren't approved aren't allowed to be used unless they are equipped with a secondary and secondary system that reduces the production of particulate matter carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and organic gaseous substances.
Our Defra approved ranges are also equipped with a mechanism that prevents you from closing the top air vent completely. This could result in the fire to smolder and release smoke into your home. The stoves have an adjustable air flow that allows you to open the top vent just a little and still maintain the safety of a clean, efficient burn.
A stove that is Defra-approved can be equipped with a 5-inch chimney liner. This is important because numerous codes for building require chimneys to be at least 5 inches in diameter.
Smoke Control Areas
If you reside in a smoke-control area you'll require a DEFRA-approved stove to legally burn wood in your home. DEFRA has examined these stoves to make sure they meet the strict standards for smoke emissions required in smoke control zones. On the Defra site, you can see a list of areas where a stove that is Defra-approved is required.
Defra Exempt Stoves & Multi Stoves for Fuel
A Defra approved wood stove, also referred to as a DEFRA Multi Wood Burning Stove or Fuel, will have passed a strict test designed by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs. The UK government agency responsible for protecting our natural environment, supporting agriculture and food industry and maintaining a thriving rural economic. The tests Defra approved stoves must pass are designed to ensure that the appliance produces low levels of smoke and grit when it is in operation.
Many of the Defra Exempt stoves we stock at Stove Supermarket are multi fuel stoves which allow you to use authorised smokeless fuels as well as seasoned wood. These stoves are also referred to as Defra stoves, Defra approved wooden burners and are abbreviated SE.
In contrast to older stoves that are generally not suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, the latest Defra multi fuel and woodburning stoves come with secondary and tertiary air systems in order to ensure that the wood is fully burned prior to it leaving the chimney. This is more efficient than simply leaving a log on the stove for long periods of time. It also reduces the amount of nuisance smoke that can be produced.
If you live in a Smoke Control Area, or considering moving into one, then a Defra exempt stove is a great option for your property. It is not only more eco-friendly, but it will also help minimise the nuisance smoke that can irritate your neighbours.
You can still enjoy open fires, barbecues and pizza ovens in your yard but remember that smoke that is toxic or excessive could be a nuisance for the law and you could be fined. In the Smoke Control Area, you are not permitted to use open fires or stoves that burn damp, rotten or wet wood or any other fuels.
Burning Other Fuels
Defra Approved Stoves are engineered to burn a variety of fuels, including wood. They burn wood so cleanly that they are in compliance with the strict regulations of the government for emissions when operating in smoke control areas. This means that you can use them legally in any smoke control zone provided you're burning fuels that are approved, like pellets, logs and briquettes. Stoves that have been approved by Defra are usually identified with the a 'SE' logo which stands for Smoke Exempt.
A stove that is Defra-approved differs from a standard multifuel stove due to its secondary air vents that pre-heat air before it enters into the firebox. This pre-heated air helps to ensure that all the fuel is ignited and burned, resulting in an efficient combustion process. It also helps to reduce the build-up of soot up and prevents the chimney from clogging. The stoves of Defra also come with internal baffle plates that aid to control the flames and maintain an uniform heat distribution.
The use of non-Defra-approved stoves in areas that are smoke-free could result in substantial fines from the UK government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). To avoid the risk of being charged by Defra you should purchase and use a DEFRA approved stove that has been tested to the government's strict requirements.
DEFRA stoves are also referred to as Clean Burn stoves. They are compatible with all kinds of fuel, but they are ideally suited for dry wood, both soft and hard. They're built with air vents that cannot be closed completely so that the stove will always receive a supply of oxygen to help ensure the clean combustion process and reduce the risk of noxious gases and soot.
This technology is not only in line with the current air quality standards of the government as well as with the future Ecodesign requirements that will be in effect in 2022. Stovax wood-burning and multifuel stoves will be branded with the SIA Ecodesign Ready label, that confirms they comply with the new emission standards that are more stringent. These new standards are being implemented as part of the government's ongoing efforts to keep the nation's air clean and healthy.
Installation
If you live in a zone of smoke control then a Defra exempt multi fuel stove will assist you in complying with the regulations. These wood-burning and multi fuel stoves have been tested independently in order to ensure they meet the strict standards for smoke emissions required in a Smoke control area. These appliances can be used to burn wood or other authorized fuels, such as coal, without having to worry about the quantity of smoke they generate.
Stoves that have been DEFRA approved can lower the amount of smoke produced by advanced combustion technologies that produce less smoke. They usually employ the second stage of combustion, which re-burns some of the waste products from the first stage, making them cleaner and more efficient. In addition to reducing emissions they also reduce the amount of soot build-up within the flue and chimney.
This is a great benefit for those who reside in a smoke-free area since it means you can have a genuine fire more often and for longer, with the additional benefit of lower energy bills. These wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves are good for the environment because they emit less pollutant. They can also be used to burn more fuel than other stoves.
A simple kit offered by the manufacturer can make a majority of stoves DEFRA-exempt. This kit can alter the vents for air on the stove so that they do not shut at night. This is referred to as slumbering and it allows for part-burned combustibles that could otherwise block the flue to escape into atmosphere. DEFRA approved stoves don't slumber, and are more sustainable for the environment. They also tend to block chimneys less often.
It is recommended that you have a HETAS registered installer or a Building Control officer install your DEFRA approved appliance to get the best out of it. This will provide you with the assurance that your installation has been completed to the correct specifications and in line with the most current regulations. It will also protect your warranty, as the installer is able to self-certify their own work.