Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters
Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves
There are a wide range of multi-fuel stoves that are exempt from defra regulations. Defra approved stoves meet the regulations of the government and are designed to burn fuel efficiently with low emissions.
This is particularly important especially if you live in a smoke-control area. Even if you don't have a smoke control area, it is important to know that a Defra Stove is better for your chimney, and for your neighbors.
Defra Approved
You may have noticed on our website, several wood-burning stoves are listed either as DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. These terms may seem like words to the typical homeowner, but they are not.
DEFRA is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. They are responsible for policies and regulations relating to agriculture, food and the environment. Defra approved stoves have been tested rigorously to ensure that they comply with the government's strict rules for emissions of smoke during operation. These stoves are additionally designed to burn authorized fuels such as coal and wood more efficiently, which means that they produce less pollutants.
This is a good thing for those who live in a Smoke Control Area because the law currently prohibits smoke emissions within these areas unless using a DEFRA-approved stove with an approved fuel. In the past it was possible to install a non Defra approved wood stove in a Smoke Control Area, as long as you used only authorised fuels. But, as of January 2022, the law is changing and any non-approved stoves will not be allowed to be installed unless they have been equipped with secondary or tertiary burning system which can drastically reduce their production of particulate matter NOx, carbon dioxide and organic gaseous compounds.
Our Defra approved ranges are also equipped with a mechanism to prevent you from closing down the top air vent completely. This could lead to the fire to smolder and release smoke into your home. These stoves feature an adjustable air feed that lets you open the top vent a bit and still keep a safe, efficient combustion.
Another benefit of purchasing a Defra approved stove is that it comes with a 5-inch chimney liner. This is crucial as there are many building regulations that state that you must have an elongated chimney with at least 5 inches of diameter.
Smoke Control Areas
If you reside in a zone of smoke control you'll require a DEFRA-approved stove to use wood legally within your home. DEFRA has tested these stoves to confirm that they meet the strict standards for smoke emissions in smoke control zones. On the Defra site, you can find a list of places where a stove that is Defra-approved is required.
Multifuel stoves and Defra exempt stoves
A Defra approved stove, also referred to as a DEFRA multi wood burning stove or fuel, will have passed a stringent test that was developed by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The UK government body is responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, assisting the farming and food industry and sustaining a flourishing rural economy. The tests Defra Approved stoves must pass are designed to ensure that the appliance produces very little smoke and grit when it is operating.
Stove Supermarket stocks a number of Defra Exempt Stoves that are multi-fuel stoves. This means you can use smokeless wood that is authorised and seasoned fuels. These stoves are referred to as Defra stoves, Defra approved wooden burners and are abbreviated SE.
The most recent Defra woodburning and multi-fuel stoves come with secondary and tertiary air ventilation systems that ensure the wood is fully burned prior to leaving the chimney. This is more efficient than leaving a log on the stove for long periods of time. It also reduces the amount nuisance smoke that could be produced.
If you are living or planning to move into a Smoke Control Area then a stove that is Defra-exempt will be an excellent option for you. Not only will it be more eco-friendly, but it can also help reduce the amount of smoke that can irritate your neighbours.
You can still enjoy an open fire, barbecues or a pizza oven in your backyard. However DEFRA guidelines stoves or toxic smoke may be considered to be a nuisance and you could be penalized. In a 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 made to burn various fuels, including wood. They burn wood with such efficiency that they comply with the strict regulations of the government for emissions when operating in smoke control zones. This means that you can use them legally in any smoke control area as long as you're burning approved fuels like pellets, logs and brquettes. Stoves that are Defra approved are usually identified with the an 'SE' symbol that stands for Smoke Exempt.
What makes a Defra approved stove distinct from traditional multifuel stoves is that they have secondary air vents that pre-heat the air prior to entering the firebox. The pre-heated, heated air ensures that all fuel is ignited to ensure a cleaner combustion. It also helps to reduce the build-up of soot in the chimney and keeps it from becoming blocked. Defra stoves also come with internal baffle plates which help to control the flames and maintain an uniform heat distribution.
The use of non-Defra-approved stoves in areas with smoke control could result in substantial fines from the UK government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). To avoid being charged by Defra you should purchase and use a DEFRA approved stove that has been tested according to the government's strict requirements.
DEFRA stoves can also be called Clean Burn stoves. They can be used with most types of fuel but are particularly suited to dry wood, both soft and hard. They're built with air vents that can't be closed completely so that the stove will always receive oxygen to ensure pure combustion and minimize noxious gases and soot.
This technology is not only compliant with the current government's standards for air quality but also with the future Ecodesign requirements that will come in 2022. A large portion of Stovax wood burning and multi-fuel stoves we sell will bear this SIA Ecodesign Ready mark which confirms that they meet the new standards for emissions. These new standards are part of the government’s continuous efforts to keep the air in the country clean and healthy.
Installation
If you are in a zone of smoke control then a Defra exempt multi fuel stove can assist you in complying with the rules. This is because these wood burning and multi fuel stoves have been tested independently to ensure they meet the strict standards of smoke emissions required in a Smoke Control Area. These appliances can be used to burn wood or other approved fuels such as coal without concern about the amount of smoke they produce.
Stoves that are DEFRA approved can reduce smoke levels through advanced technology for combustion that produces less smokiness. They usually employ a second phase of combustion, which re-burns some of the waste products that were discarded from the initial stage, making them even cleaner and more efficient. These stoves reduce not only the amount of emissions but also the amount of soot in the chimney and flue.
If you live in a region that is smoke-free, this is a great thing to be aware of. You can enjoy a real fireplace more often and for longer. Additionally, you'll reduce your utility bills. Due to the reduced levels of pollution, these types of wood-burning and multi fuel stoves are good for the environment as they can be used to burn a wider variety of materials than other stoves.
A simple kit supplied by the manufacturer can make a majority of stoves DEFRA-exempt. This changes the air vents of the stove to prevent them from being closed down at night. This is referred to as slumbering and it allows part-burned combustibles to be released into the atmosphere rather than going up the chimney, where they could hinder the flue. DEFRA approved stoves don't slumber and are better for the environment. They also prevent chimneys from being blocked less often.
It is recommended that a HETAS registered installer or a Building Control officer install your DEFRA approved appliance to get the best out of it. You will have peace of assurance that the installation was done according to the correct specifications and is in compliance with the most recent regulations. In addition, it will also help to ensure your warranty since the installer can self-certify their work.