Why Defra Approved Multi Fuel Is Still Relevant In 2023
What is a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove?
A defra certified multi fuel stove is one that has successfully passed the Defra smoke tests. These stoves are sometimes called SE (smoke-exempt) stoves.
The Defra department of the government is responsible for the rules and regulations that deal with agriculture, rural issues and the environment. The Defra test guarantees that you can burn wood or approved smokeless fuels like Anthracite in a smoke-free area without causing annoyance to neighbors with nuisance smoke.
Eco-Friendly
Eco-friendly stoves are made of renewable materials and fuels to reduce emissions. They typically burn wood or a mixture of approved fuels, and are designed with ecological considerations in mind. There are a variety of eco-friendly multi-fuel stoves as well as log burners to choose from, ranging from traditional to modern models. Some eco-friendly stoves use dung (the excrement of domestic livestock) to provide an extremely efficient and carbon negative alternative to wood.
The most important factor in making sure your stove is eco-friendly is to ensure that the fuel you use is properly seasoned or dried. This reduces the moisture content of the wood and enables it to burn more efficiently. It is also a good idea to buy only wood that comes from sustainable forests. When purchasing wood look for the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' label to confirm that it has been properly dried.
The majority of newer stoves are built to meet strict EU EcoDesign standards. These standards require that stove manufacturers design wood burning stoves that have energy efficiency and environmental protection in mind. Manufacturers must take into account emissions as well as resource efficiency and waste reduction when they design Ecodesign stoves. This makes them some of the cleanest and greenest stoves available.
Replace the grill on your stove with ceramic grates. This will make it more eco-friendly. It is not just visually appealing, but also non-smoking and reduces sulphur oxide in the air. Ceramic grates also have a longer duration and are much 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 crucial to only use fuels approved by Defra. If you don't have this, you could be in breach of the law and face getting a fine from your local council. To avoid this, only use 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 if it burns authorised smokeless fuel only. It can be a non-smokeless log, anthracite or a manufactured or natural product. The stove makers must comply with the rules for selling a DEFRA-exempt wood burner. Here at The Stove Yard we have an incredible selection of DEFRA approved wood burning stoves as well as multi fuel stoves from top brands such as Arada, Parkray, Burley, Stovax and many more.
These kinds of Defra exempt stoves feature the latest combustion technology 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 systems to ignite particulates and tar gases before they are released into the atmosphere. This is the reason why a Defra approved stove cleaner than older generation wood burning stoves and open fires.
The design of the Defra approved stove is also different, most of our range will have an internal mechanism hidden within the stove that allows a small, continuous flow of air through to the fire even if the air vents are closed. This stops ash and soot from being blown into the fireplace, which could cause dangerous chimney fires.
The new Defra-approved stoves won't allow you to shut the air vents and slumber the stove over night, which can send part burned combustibles in the air.
A DEFRA-approved cooktop will have a longer burning time than older stoves that aren't DEFRA-approved. However, if you were to replace your fuel of choice with smokeless coal in order to sleep the stove over night and reduce the time of the burning time as the continuous supply of air required to slumber would reduce the combustion of the smokeless fuel.
Reduced Emissions
If used correctly when it is properly used, a DEFRA exempt stove can produce very low levels of emissions. These emissions are usually PM2.5 particles, which could cause a variety health issues such as heart diseases and lung diseases when inhaled.
The high combustion efficiency provided by a DEFRA-approved wood burning device reduces the amount harmful particles and pollutants released in the burning process. This reduces the impact of the burning process on the environment.
In addition to cutting harmful emissions In addition, the efficiency of a stove reduces the cost of heating your home. Utilizing an DEFRA approved wood burning stove instead of gas boilers of the conventional variety can help reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your energy bills.
If you live in a smoke controlled zone, it's essential to ensure that your stove is DEFRA approved or Exempt as this will allow you to burn approved Defra fuels like manufactured smokeless coal ovals, such as Anthracite and Homefire as well as dried wood and other authorised solid fuels. This lets you relax in your fireplace and not worry about a nuisance smoke affecting your neighbours.
In addition to being DEFRA Approved Many stoves are tested to clearSkies standards and can be marked with the clearSkies mark. The clearSkies mark is an independent scheme that requires stove makers to display information about their appliances efficiency and emissions so that consumers can make an informed decision. The information must include the stove's efficiency rating as well as emissions, as well as the type and size of the stove.
It's important to remember that, as with Ecodesign the clearSkies regulations are minimum standards. Manufacturers can go above and beyond these. ESSE for instance has developed its latest stoves to be more efficient and less polluting, producing less particulates without compromising on performance or control. This latest innovation utilizes patented Twin Catalytic Combustion Technology that recycles all smoke particles and reduces their impact on the environment.
If you live in a smoke-controlled zone and are using a DEFRA Approved Stove with a high-quality, kiln-dried or seasoned log you'll get the same amount of heat, or even more, from the same amount dry wood than if it were burned in a non DEFRA Approved Stove. It could be up to 24 percent cheaper to heat your home by using a new DEFRA Approved Stove than gas boilers.
In compliance with Building Regulations
If you reside in an area under smoke control, it's essential to use a multi-fuel stove approved by DEFRA. They have passed tests to ensure that they don't produce any smoke when burning an approved fuel, which means you can use them in areas that are usually well-populated with buildings. We supply and install DEFRA approved log stoves made by top brands such as Mi-fires and Contura.
You can also safely burn wood, peat and other solid fuels with a DEFRA-approved multi-fuel stove. It is crucial to be aware that certain fuels can't be used in Smoke Control Areas.
For a multi-fuel stove to be safe to use, it is essential that you have the appropriate ventilation. This will help reduce the accumulation of carbon monoxide within your home. 5kw defra multifuel stove approved multi fuel stoves come with an inbuilt venting system that is able to automatically deliver an adequate amount of air to the combustion process, ensuring that your home will always be fully ventilated and safe for use.
DEFRA approved stoves also have a minimum size of 550mm2, meaning they can be used combination with a standard dualwall flue system. Our flue liner range is compatible with DEFRA approved stoves. You can upgrade your fireplace to meet the latest emission standards by choosing from our extensive range of.
Look for the DEFRA symbol on the stove's packaging, or online. This information is also available on a variety of trustworthy retailers' websites and in the store displays.
It is essential to employ an experienced professional who is certified if you intend to install a multi-fuel fireplace. This will ensure that the installation is in line with building codes. Infractions to the correct instructions for installation could result in a fine and damage to your property. We recommend using an HETAS approved installer to handle your stove installation, because they will be well-versed in the guidelines of the manufacturer and building regulations.