What is a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove?

A defra-approved multi-fuel stove is one that has passed the Defra test for smoke. These stoves are often referred to as SE (smoke-exempt) stoves.

The government's Defra department handles rules and regulations related to the rural, agricultural and environmental issues. The Defra test ensures you can burn wood or approved smokeless fuels like Anthracite ovals within a smoke controlled area without causing annoyance to neighbors with noisy smoke.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly stoves are made to produce minimal emissions, making use of fuel efficiently, and using sustainable materials. They typically burn wood or a combination of fuels that are approved, and are designed with ecological considerations in the back of their minds. There are a variety of eco-friendly multi-fuel stoves and log burners that are available, ranging from traditional to modern models. Some eco-friendly stoves even use dung (the excrement of domestic livestock) as an extremely efficient and carbon-free alternative to wood.

The most important thing you can do to make your stove green is to make sure that the fuel is properly seasoned, or dried and kiln-fired. This reduces the moisture content of the wood and allows it to burn more efficiently. It is recommended to purchase only wood that has been sourced from sustainable forests. When buying wood, look for the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' label to ensure that it has been dried correctly.

Most modern stoves are designed to meet strict EU EcoDesign standards. These standards require that stove manufacturers design wood burning stoves with energy efficiency and environmental protection in the back of their minds. Manufacturers must take into account emissions, resource efficiency, and waste reduction when they design Ecodesign stoves. They are among the greenest and Luxury DEFRA Stoves most environmentally friendly stoves available.

Replace the grill on your stove with ceramic grates. This will make it more eco-friendly. This material is not just visually appealing, but also non-smoking and reduces the amount of sulphur oxide found in the air. Ceramic Grease liners also have a longer span and are easier to clean than steel inserts into grates.

While you may still enjoy the comfort of a cosy wood burner or multi fuel stove in a Smoke Control Area, it is essential to use only Defra approved fuels. You could be in breach of the law if you don't. To avoid this, only make use of Defra approved fuels, such as anthracite that is manufactured smokeless, 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. This can be a type of natural or manufactured smokeless log or anthracite and it must adhere to certain regulations in order to meet the criteria for an Defra approved wood burning stove. The stove manufacturers must comply with the rules for selling a DEFRA-exempted wood burner. Here at The Stove Yard we have an amazing selection of DEFRA approved wood burning stoves as well as multi fuel stoves made by top brands like Arada, Parkray, Burley, Stovax and many more.

The Defra-exempt stoves employ the latest technology for combustion to reduce tar emissions and tar accumulation in your chimney or flue system. The stoves employ secondary and tertiary systems to ignite particulates, tar gases and other pollutants before they go into the air. This is the reason Defra approved wood burning stoves are so much more clean than open fires and older generation stoves.

The design of a Defra-approved stove is different. The majority of our range has a hidden mechanism that allows a small, continuous flow of air to the flame even after the vents for air are closed. This prevents ash and soot being pushed up the fireplace, which can cause dangerous chimney fires.

This is an essential feature for anyone who lives in a smoke-free area The latest Defra approved stoves don't allow you to close off the air vents completely and allow you to sleep your stove all night which could release part-burned combustibles into the atmosphere.

A DEFRA approved stove will also give you the longest burn time than older non-Defra models, although it's important to note that if you switched your fuel of choice for smokeless coal, and wanted to slumber your stove overnight it would reduce the burn time too as the constant supply of air needed for slumber burning would curb the combustion of the smokeless fuel.

Reduced Emissions

If used correctly, a DEFRA exempt stove can produce extremely low levels of emissions. These emissions are usually PM2.5 particles, which can cause a variety of health problems, including heart conditions and lung disease, when inhaled.

The high efficiency of combustion offered by a DEFRA-approved wood burner reduces the amount of harmful particles and pollutants released by the burning process. This minimizes the impact of the burning process on the environment.

The efficiency of a stove can lower the cost of heating your house. Utilizing the DEFRA approved wood burning stove over gas boilers of the conventional variety can help reduce your carbon footprint and save you money on your energy costs.

If you live in a zone where smoke is controlled, it's vital that your stove be DEFRA Approved (or Smoke Exempt) since this will enable you to burn approved Defra Fuels such as manufactured smokeless ovals like Anthracite or Homefire as well as dried wood and other approved fuels. This will allow you to relax in the fireplace, without worrying about how the stench of smoke could disturb your neighbors.

Many stoves are, in addition to being DEFRA certified, are tested in accordance with clearSkies standards and are able to be identified with the clearSkies label. The clearSkies mark is an independent scheme that requires stove manufacturers to disclose information about their appliances efficiency and emissions making it easier for consumers to make an informed decision. The information must include the stove's efficiency rating, emissions, as well as type and size.

It is important to keep in mind that, like with Ecodesign the clearSkies regulations are minimum standards. Manufacturers may go above and over these. ESSE, for example has designed its latest stoves to be more efficient and cleaner burning and produce less particulates, without sacrificing performance or control. This latest advancement utilizes twin catalytic technology that recycles the smoke particles it releases drastically reducing their impact on the atmosphere.

In fact when you're in a smoke-free zone and are using a luxury DEFRA stoves Approved stove with a high-quality, kiln-dried or seasoned log, you'll be able to generate as much, or even more heat from the same amount of dry wood as if you were to burn it in a non-DEFRA Approved stove. In fact, it can be as much as 24 percent less expensive to heat your home with a an newest DEFRA Approved stove than with a traditional gas boiler.

In compliance with Building Regulations

If you live in a Smoke Control Area, it's important to have a DEFRA approved multi-fuel stove. The stoves have been tested to ensure that they don't release any smoke when burning an approved fuel, so you can use them in areas that are usually well-populated with buildings. At Choice Stoves, we supply and install a variety of DEFRA compliant stoves list approved log burners from top brands including Mi-fires, Contura, Stovax, ACR, Broseley, Tiger, Cast Tec and more.

A DEFRA approved multi fuel stove will allow you to burn peat, wood and other solid fuels safely. It is essential to be aware that certain fuels can't be used in Smoke Control Areas.

Proper ventilation is essential for safety when operating a multi fuel stove, as this will help to reduce the amount of carbon monoxide that builds up in your home. DEFRA approved stoves come with an inbuilt ventilation system that provides enough air to the combustion process. This ensures that your home is always fully ventilated and safe to use.

DEFRA approved stoves also come with a minimum size of 550mm2, which means they can be used in combination with a standard dualwall system. Our extensive selection of flue liners is compatible with DEFRA approved stoves, so you can use them to improve your fireplace and ensure that it is in line with the latest emission standards.

Look for the DEFRA symbol on the stove's packaging or online. Many reputable stove retailers will also display this information on their websites and displays in stores to help you determine which stoves are in compliance with the regulations.

If you're planning to install a multi-fuel stove, luxury DEFRA stoves it's crucial that you get the job done by a professional who is certified to ensure compliance with building regulations. Infractions to the correct installation guidelines could result in an expensive fine or damage to your property. We recommend using an HETAS approved installer to handle your stove installation, because they will be familiar with the manufacturer's guidelines and building regulations.