Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves

There is a variety of multi-fuel stoves that are exempt from defra regulations. Defra approved stoves are compliant with government regulations and are designed to burn fuel efficiently and emit low emissions.

This is particularly important when you live in a smoke control area. Even if you do not have a smoke control area, the Defra stove is safer for your chimney and neighbours.

Defra Approved

You may have noticed across our website that a few of our wood burning stoves are listed as being DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. These terms may appear to be words to the average homeowner, but they are not.

DEFRA is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. They are responsible for the policies and regulations related to food, agriculture, and the environment. Defra approved stoves have been passed rigorous tests to ensure that they comply with the government's strict rules for emissions of smoke during operation. They are specifically designed to burn the fuels of coal and wood more efficiently. This means they generate less pollutants.

This is good news for those who live in a Smoke Control Area as the law currently prohibits the emission of smoke within such areas unless using a DEFRA approved stove and a fuel that is authorised. In the past it was possible to install a non Defra approved wood stove in a Smoke Control Area, as long you used only approved fuels. However, from January 2022, the law is changing and stoves that aren't approved are not allowed to be installed unless they've been equipped with secondary or tertiary burning system which can drastically reduce their production of particulate matter and NOx, carbon dioxide and organic gaseous compounds.

In the case of our Defra approved stoves, they are also equipped with a mechanism that will stop you from closing the top air vent all the way down as this can cause the fire to smoulder and release smoke into your home. Instead, these stoves have an adjustable air feed which will allow you to open the top vent slightly while still maintaining an efficient and safe burn.

Another benefit of purchasing a Defra approved stove is that it is able to be fitted with a 5-inch chimney liner. This is important because numerous codes require a chimney to have a minimum of 5 inches diameter.

Smoke Control Areas

If you live in a smoke-control zone you'll need a DEFRA-approved stove to burn wood legally in your home. The stoves have been tested by DEFRA to ensure that they meet the strict smoke emissions standards required in smoke control areas. You can see the list of areas for which you will require a Defra approved stove on the Defra website.

Defra Exempt Stoves & Multi Stoves Fuel

A Defra approved wood stove, also called a DEFRA Multi Wood Burning Stove or Fuel that has been through a rigorous test developed by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs. The UK government agency is responsible to protect our natural environment, assisting the food and agriculture industries and ensuring a vibrant rural economic. The tests that Defra Approved Stoves must clear are designed to ensure that the stove produces small amounts of grit or smoke when it's operating.

Stove Supermarket offers a variety of Defra Exempt Stoves that are multi-fuel stoves. This means you can burn authorised smokeless wood as well as seasoned fuels. These stoves are also referred to as Defra stoves, Defra approved wooden burners and are abbreviated SE.

The latest Defra multi-fuel stoves and woodburning stoves come with secondary and tertiary ventilation systems that ensure the wood is completely burned before it leaves the chimney. This is a more efficient method than simply leaving a log fire on the fire to burn for a long time and reduces the amount smoke that is generated.

If you live in a Smoke Control Area, or if you are thinking of moving into one, then a Defra exempt stove is the best choice for your property. It's not just more sustainable however, it also helps in reducing the nuisance smoke that could upset your neighbors.

You are still able to use an open fire, barbecues and pizza ovens in your backyard. However, excessive or toxic smoke may be considered a nuisance and you could be fined. It is also prohibited to use damp, wet or rotting wood or other fuels in an open flame or stove inside an area designated as a Smoke Control Area.

Burning Other Fuels Other Than Petroleum

Defra Approved stoves are designed to burn a wide range of fuels including wood. They burn wood with such efficiency that they are in compliance with strict government regulations for emissions when operating in smoke control zones. This means that they can be used legally in any smoke control area provided you're burning authorised fuels such as pellets, logs and brquettes. Stoves that are Defra approved are usually identified with the a 'SE' logo which stands for Smoke Exempt.

What is it that makes the Defra approved stove different to traditional multifuel stoves is that they have air vents that heat the air prior to it entering the firebox. The pre-heated, heated air ensures that the fuel is ignited in order to produce a cleaner combustion. This also helps prevent the accumulation of soot and blockages in the chimney. The stoves of Defra also come with internal baffle plates that help to regulate the flames and maintain an evenly distributed heat distribution.

Using non-Defra approved stoves in smoke controlled areas could result in hefty fines from the UK government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). To avoid being prosecuted by Defra you should only buy and use a DEFRA approved stove that has been tested to the government's strict standards.

DEFRA stoves are also referred to as Clean Burn stoves. They are compatible with all kinds of fuel, but they are particularly suited to dry hard and soft wood. The air vents aren't closed completely, meaning there is always oxygen available to support clean combustion.

This technology is not only in line with the current standards for air quality of the government but also with the upcoming Ecodesign requirements that will be in place in 2022. A majority of Stovax wood burning and multi-fuel stoves we offer will carry this SIA Ecodesign Ready mark which signifies that they are in compliance with these new stricter emissions standards. These new standards are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure that the air in the country clean and healthy.

Installation

If you live in a Smoke Control Area and you are in a Smoke Control Area, a Defra exempt multi stove can help you to comply with the regulations. These wood burning and multi fuel stoves have been independently tested to ensure that they meet the strict standards of smoke emission required in a smoke control zone. These appliances can be used to burn wood or other approved fuels like coal without having to worry about the quantity of smoke they produce.

Stoves that are DEFRA approved are able to reduce smoke levels by using advanced combustion technology that creates less smokiness. They typically employ a second phase of combustion that re-burns some of the waste products that were discarded from the initial stage, making them cleaner and more efficient. In addition to the reduced emissions, these stoves also reduce the amount of soot build-up in the chimney and flue.

This is a great benefit especially if you live in a smoke controlled area as it means that you can have a genuine fire more often and Defra approved stoves for longer, with the added benefit of lower utility bills. Due to the lower levels of pollution, these kinds of wood-burning and multi fuel stoves are beneficial to the environment since they are able to burn a wider variety of materials than other stoves.

A simple kit supplied by the manufacturer can make most stoves DEFRA-exempt. This alters the air vents of the stove to stop them from closing at night. This is known as slumbering, and allows part-burned combustibles to be released into the atmosphere rather than going up the chimney where they could block the flue. DEFRA approved stoves do not slumber and are therefore much more eco-friendly and far less likely to block the chimney.

It is recommended that an 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. In addition, it will also help to ensure your warranty since the installer will be able to self-certify their work.