Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves
There is a variety of multi-fuel stoves exempt from the regulations of defra. Defra approved stoves comply with the regulations of the government, and are designed for fuel efficiency with low emissions.
This is particularly important when you reside in a smoke-free area. Even if you don't, a Defra Stove is better for your chimney and your neighbors.
Defra Approved
You may have noticed on our website that a few of our wood-burning stoves are listed as being DEFRA exempt or
Defra Compliant stoves DEFRA approved. To the average home owner, these terms may sound like jargon that they do not need to pay attention to however this is not the truth.
DEFRA stands for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and they manage regulations and policies in relation to the environment, agriculture and food. Defra approved stoves have passed rigorous tests to ensure they adhere to the government's strict rules for emissions of smoke during operation. They are also designed to burn approved fuels such as coal and wood more efficiently, which means that they produce less pollutants.
This is a good thing for those who reside in Smoke Control Area, as the law currently prohibits smoke emissions in these areas, unless you use an approved DEFRA stove and an approved fuel. In the past, it was possible to install a non-Defra approved stove in a Smoke Control Area as long as you used only approved fuels such as wood. From January 2022, the law will be changed and stoves that are not approved aren't allowed to be used unless they are equipped with a secondary or secondary system that reduces their productions of particulate nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and organic gaseous substances.
In the case of our Defra approved stoves, they're also equipped with a mechanism that will stop you from closing the top air vent completely down since this could cause the fire to smoulder and emit smoke into your home. These stoves come with an adjustable air flow that allows you to open the top vent a small amount and still have the safety of a clean, efficient burning.
Another advantage of purchasing a Defra approved stove is that it can be fitted with a 5-inch chimney liner. This is important as the majority of codes for building require chimneys to have a minimum of 5 inches diameter.
Smoke Control Areas
If you live in a smoke-free zone you'll require a Defra approved stove if you want to legally burn wood in your home. These stoves have been tested by DEFRA to ensure that they meet the strict standards for smoke emissions required in smoke control areas. You can see the list of areas where you need a Defra approved stove on the
DEFRA Compliant Stoves website.
Multifuel stoves and stoves exempt from Defra
A Defra approved wood stove, also called a
DEFRA approved clean burning stoves 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, supporting the food and farming industries, and maintaining a thriving rural economic. The tests Defra Approved Stoves must pass are designed so that the stove produces small amounts of grit or smoke when it's operating.
Many of the Defra Exempt stoves we stock at Stove Supermarket are also multi fuel stoves that will 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 often unsuitable 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 completely burned before it exits the chimney. This is more efficient than simply leaving a log on the fire for long periods of time. It also reduces the amount of nuisance smoke that could be produced.
If you are living or planning to move into an area designated as a Smoke Control Area then a exempted stove from Defra is an excellent choice for you. It is not only more environmentally friendly but it will also help reduce the amount of smoke that can irritate your neighbours.
You can still enjoy an open fire, barbecues and a pizza oven in your garden. However, excessive or toxic smoke may be considered to be a nuisance and you could be fined. You are also not permitted to use damp, wet or rotting wood, or other fuels on an open fire or stove inside the Smoke Control Area.
Burning Other Fuels Besides Cars
Defra Approved stoves are made to burn a variety of fuels including wood. They burn wood with such efficiency that they are in compliance with the strict regulations of the government regarding emissions during operation in smoke control zones. This means that they can be used legally in any smoke control zone provided you're burning fuels that are approved, such as pellets, logs and brquettes. Stoves that are Defra approved will often be denoted with an 'SE' logo that stands for Smoke Exempt.
A stove that is approved by Defra differs from a typical multifuel stove in that it has secondary air vents which pre-heat air prior to entering the firebox. This pre-heated, heated and pre-heated air ensures that the fuel is ignited in order to produce a cleaner combustion. This also prevents the accumulation of soot and blockages in the chimney. The Defra stoves come with internal baffles which help to regulate the flames, and maintain a uniform heat distribution.
premium DEFRA stoves could impose heavy penalties for anyone who is using a non-Defra approved appliance in smoke-controlled areas. If you wish to avoid being charged by Defra make sure you use a DEFRA-approved stove that has been tested in accordance with the government's guidelines.
DEFRA stoves are also known as Clean Burn stoves. They can be used with all kinds of fuel, but are especially suited to dry soft and hard wood. They are designed with air vents that cannot be closed completely, so the stove will always have oxygen to support pure combustion and minimize soot and noxious gases.
This technology is not only compliant with the current standards for air quality, but also with the future Ecodesign requirements that will come in 2022. A majority of Stovax multi-fuel and wood burning stoves we offer will carry this SIA Ecodesign Ready mark which indicates that they comply with these new stricter emissions standards. These new standards are part of the government's continuous efforts to keep the air we breathe healthy and clean.
Installation
If you reside in a Smoke Control Area, a Defra-exempt multifuel stove can assist you in complying with the rules. These wood burning and multi fuel stoves have been tested by independent experts to ensure that they meet the strict standards for smoke emissions required in a Smoke control zone. These stoves can burn wood or other fuels such as coal without concern about the level of smoke they produce.
Stoves that are DEFRA certified can reduce smoke levels using advanced technology for combustion that produces less smoke. These stoves typically use a second phase of combustion that re-burns a portion of the waste materials from the first stage, making them cleaner and more efficient. In addition to reducing emissions they also reduce the amount of soot that builds up in the chimney and flue.
If you live in a region which is smoke-free, this is a great idea to know. You can use a fireplace more often and for a longer time. Additionally, you'll save money on your energy bills. Because of the reduced levels of pollution, these kinds of wood burning and multi fuel stoves are also beneficial to the environment since they are able to burn a wider variety of materials than other stoves.