What is a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove?

A defra-approved multi fuel stove is one that has been passed the Defra smoke tests. They are also referred to as SE (smoke exempt) stoves.

The government Defra department handles rules and regulations related to the environment, agriculture and rural issues. The Defra test guarantees that you can burn wood or approved smokeless fuels such as Anthracite ovals in an area that is smoke-free without upsetting your neighbours with nuisance smoke.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly stoves emit a minimum amount of carbon dioxide, by making use of fuel efficiently and using sustainable materials. Eco-friendly stoves are typically built to burn wood, or a combination of other approved fuels. A selection of eco-friendly log burning and multi fuel stoves are offered, ranging from contemporary to traditional models. Some eco-friendly stoves use dung as an efficient and carbon-negative alternative to wood.

The most important thing you can do to ensure that your stove is eco-friendly is to ensure that the fuel is properly seasoned or dried in a kiln. This reduces the moisture content of the wood and allows it to burn more efficiently. It is also a good idea to buy only wood that has been sourced from sustainable forests. When purchasing wood be sure to look for the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' label to ensure that it has been dried properly.

The majority of newer stoves comply with strict EU EcoDesign Standards. These standards require stove manufacturers to design wood burning stoves with energy efficiency and the environment in mind. Ecodesign stoves have to consider emissions, resource efficiency and the reduction of waste. These are some of the cleanest and eco-friendly stoves that are available.

Replace the grill on your stove with a ceramic grates. This makes it more sustainable. This material is not only attractive but also has the benefit of being non-smoking and helping to reduce the amount of sulphur dioxide that is released into the air. Ceramic Grease liners also have a longer life span and are easier to clean than steel grate inserts.

In a Smoke Control Area you can still enjoy a wood burner or multi-fuel stove, but it is important to use only fuels that have been approved by Defra. You could be breaking the law if you don't. To avoid this, you should only make use of Defra approved fuels, such as an amorphous smokeless oval in your stove.

Clean Burning

A Defra approved multi fuel stove can be used in smoke-controlled areas when it is burning authorised smokeless fuel only. It can be a smokeless log, anthracite, or a naturally occurring or manufactured product. Stove manufacturers must comply with the regulations in order to make a DEFRA exempt wood burner available for sale. The Stove Yard has a an extensive selection of DEFRA approved multi-fuel stoves and wood burning stoves by leading brands like Arada, Parkray and Burley.

These Defra-exempt stoves use the latest technology for combustion to reduce tar emissions and tar accumulation in your chimney or flue system. They employ the most advanced secondary and tertiary airflow systems to ignite particulates and tar gases before they are released into the atmosphere - this is what makes the Defra approved stove much less polluting than older stoves that burn wood and open fires.

The design of the Defra approved stove is also different The majority of our stoves has a hidden mechanism inside the stove that allows for a small continuous circulation of air into the fire even when the air vents are closed. This prevents soot and ash from being carried up the chimney, which can cause obstruction to your stove and result in dangerous chimney fires.

This is an essential feature for anyone living in a smoke control area, the new Defra approved stoves do not 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 approved stove will also offer you an extended burn time than other models, Defra approved multi-fuel stoves although it's worth noting that if you swapped your approved fuel for smokeless coal, and wanted to sleep your stove for the night, then this could reduce the burn time too as the constant supply of air required for slumbering would reduce the combustion of the smokeless fuel.

Reduced Emissions

When properly used the DEFRA exempt stove can create extremely low levels of emissions. These emissions are usually PM2.5 particles, which could cause a range of health issues that include heart ailments and lung diseases when inhaled.

The high efficiency of combustion of a DEFRA approved wood burner reduces the amount of harmful particles and pollutants released during the combustion process. This reduces the impact on the environment, particularly in urban areas where pollution levels are high.

The efficiency of a stove could reduce the cost of heating your house. If you use a DEFRA-approved wood burning stove place of a gas boiler, you can lower your carbon footprint while saving the cost of your energy.

If you live in a region where smoke is controlled, it's essential that your stove is defra stove-approved (or Smoke Exempt) since this will enable you to burn Defra Approved fuels like manufactured smokeless ovals like Anthracite or Homefire and dried wood and Defra approved multi-fuel stoves other fuels that are authorised. This will allow you to relax in the fireplace, without worrying about how the stench of smoke could disturb your neighbors.

In addition to being approved by DEFRA 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 mark is an independent scheme that requires stove manufacturers to provide information on their appliances efficiency and emissions, allowing consumers to make an informed choice. The information must include the stove's efficiency rating, emissions, and the type and size.

It's important to remember that, as with Ecodesign, clearSkies regulations represent minimum standards. Manufacturers may go above and beyond these. ESSE has designed its latest stoves to be even more efficient and less polluting, generating less smoke without compromising the performance or control. This latest advancement utilizes the Twin Catalytic Combustion Technology that reburns all smoke particles which reduces their impact on the atmosphere.

In fact, if you're in a smoke controlled zone and use a 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 you would if you were to burn it in a non-DEFRA approved stove. It is up to 24 percent cheaper to heat your home using the latest Defra Approved Stove than gas boilers.

In compliance with Building Regulations

If you live in an area under smoke control, it is crucial to choose a multi-fuel stove that is approved by DEFRA. The stoves have been tested to ensure that they do not emit smoke when burning approved fuel. They can therefore be used them in areas that have lot of buildings. At Choice Stoves, we supply and install a variety of DEFRA approved log burners from top brands like Mi-fires, Contura, Stovax, ACR, Broseley, Tiger, Cast Tec and more.

A DEFRA approved multi fuel stove can allow you to burn wood, peat and other solid fuels in a safe manner. You should be aware that certain types of fuel are restricted for use in Smoke Control Areas, so it's important to be aware of local regulations and restrictions.

A proper ventilation system is crucial to the safety when operating multi fuel stoves, since it will help reduce carbon monoxide accumulation in your home. DEFRA approved multi fuel stoves come with a built-in venting system that is able to automatically deliver sufficient air to the combustion process, meaning that your home will be fully ventilated and safe for use.

DEFRA approved stoves also have a minimum size of 550mm2, which means they can be used combination with a standard dualwall system. Our line of flue liners is compatible with DEFRA-approved stoves. You can upgrade your fireplace to meet the latest emission requirements with our wide selection.

When choosing a DEFRA approved stove, look for the 'DEFRA symbol on the packaging or in the manufacturer's details online. Many reputable stove retailers will also display this information on their websites as well as in-store displays, so you can easily identify which stoves meet the regulations.

If you're thinking of installing a multi-fuel stove, it's essential to have the work done by a certified professional to ensure that you are in compliance with the building regulations. Infractions to the correct instructions for installation could result in an expensive fine or damage to your property. We recommend using a HETAS approved installer to carry out the stove installation, since they are well-versed in the guidelines of the manufacturer and building regulations.