What is a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove?

A multi-fuel stove that is best DEFRA stoves-approved is one that has passed the Defra test for smoke. They are also called SE (smoke exempt) stoves.

The government's Defra department handles rules and regulations related to the rural, agricultural and environmental issues. The DEFRA approved contemporary stoves test demonstrates that you are able to burn wood or approved smokeless fuels like Anthracite in an area that is smoke-free without causing annoyance to neighbors with nuisance smoke.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly stoves are made to produce minimal emissions, making use of fuel efficiently and using sustainable materials. Eco-friendly stoves are generally made to burn wood or a combination with other approved fuels. A wide range of eco-friendly log burners and multi fuel stoves are available with a range of styles from contemporary to traditional models. Some eco-friendly stoves make use of dung as an efficient and carbon-negative alternative to wood.

The most important thing you can do to make your stove eco-friendly is ensure that the fuel is properly seasoned, or dried and kiln-fired. This helps reduce the moisture content and lets the wood burn more efficiently, generating less smoke. It is also a good idea to buy only wood that comes from sustainable forests. When buying wood, look for the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' label to verify that it has been properly dried.

Most newer stoves are made to meet the strict EU EcoDesign standards. These standards require stove manufacturers to develop wood burning stoves with energy efficiency and the environment in mind. Ecodesign stoves should take into account the environment, energy efficiency, and waste reduction. These are some of the most eco-friendly and cleanest stoves on the market today.

Replace the grates on your stove with ceramic grate. This makes it more sustainable. This material is not just visually appealing, but also non-smoking, and helps reduce the amount of sulphur oxide that is in the air. Ceramic grates also have a longer life span and are easier to clean than steel grate inserts.

In a Smoke Control Area you can still enjoy the wood burner or multi-fuel stove, but it is important to only use fuels approved by Defra. If you do not, it is possible that you could be in breach of the law and risk a fine from the local council. To avoid this, you should 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. It could be a smokeless log, anthracite or a manufactured or natural product. Stove manufacturers must comply with the regulations in order to produce a DEFRA exempt wood burner for sale. Here at The Stove Yard we have an amazing selection of DEFRA stoves installation 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 offer the latest combustion technology designed to reduce emissions and the build-up of tar in your chimney and flue system. They use the latest secondary and tertiary airflow systems to ignite particulates and tar gases before they can escape into the atmosphere. This is the reason why a Defra approved stove more eco-friendly than the older generation wood burning stoves as well as open fires.

The design of the Defra approved stove is also different, most of our range will have a hidden mechanism within the stove that allows a small, continuous flow of air through to the fire, even when the vents for air are shut. This prevents soot and ash being blown into the fireplace, which could cause dangerous chimney fires.

This is an essential feature for those who live in a smoke-free zone, the new Defra approved stoves don't allow you to shut the vents completely and slumber your stove overnight which can send part-burned combustibles into the air.

A DEFRA approved stove will also offer you a much longer burn time than older non-Defra models, but it's important to note that if you changed your authorised fuel for smokeless coal and wanted to rest your stove over night then this could reduce the time to burn due to the continuous supply of air required for slumbering would reduce the combustion of the smokeless fuel.

Reduced Emissions

If properly used, a stove that is exempt from DEFRA can produce very low levels of emissions. These emissions are typically PM2.5 particles that, if inhaled, can lead to a variety of health issues including heart conditions and lung diseases.

The high efficiency of combustion in a DEFRA approved wood burner reduces the amount of harmful particles and pollutants released during the combustion process. This reduces the environmental impact, particularly in urban areas where pollution levels are very high.

In addition to cutting harmful emissions The efficiency of a stove can reduce the cost of heating your home. Using a DEFRA approved wood burning stove over a conventional gas boiler can reduce your carbon footprint and save you money on your energy bills.

If you live in a region where smoke is controlled, it's crucial that your stove is DEFRA-approved (or Smoke Exempt) because this permits you to use Defra Approved fuels like manufactured smokeless ovals such as Anthracite or Homefire as well dried wood and other fuels that are authorised. This lets you relax in your fireplace and not worry about the nuisance smoke that could disturb your neighbours.

Many stoves that are DEFRA stoves Benefits-approved, are tested in accordance with clearSkies standards and are able to be identified with the clearSkies label. The clearSkies scheme is an independent scheme that requires stove makers to provide information about the effectiveness and emissions of their products that allow consumers to make an informed choice. The information must include the stove's efficiency rating and emissions, as well as its type and size.

It is important to remember that, just as with Ecodesign the clearSkies regulations are minimum standards, and the manufacturers are able to exceed them. ESSE has designed its latest stoves to be even more efficient and cleaner, producing less smoke without compromising the performance or control. This latest advancement utilizes twin catalytic technology that recycles the smoke particles it releases drastically reducing their impact on the environment.

If you live in a smoke-controlled zone and you use a DEFRA Approved Stove with a high quality, kiln-dried or seasoned log, you'll get as much heat, or even more in the same amount of dry wood as if it were burned in a non DEFRA Approved Stove. In fact, it could be as much as 24 percent cheaper to heat your home with a new Defra Approved stove than the traditional gas boiler.

Compliant with Building Regulations

If you live in a Smoke Control Area, it's important to have a DEFRA approved multi fuel stove. These stoves have been tested to ensure they don't emit smoke when burning approved fuel. Therefore, you can use these stoves in areas that have a large number of buildings. At Choice Stoves, we supply and install a range of DEFRA accredited stoves approved log burners from the top brands including Mi-fires, Contura, Stovax, ACR, Broseley, Tiger, Cast Tec and more.

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

A proper ventilation system is crucial to the safe operation of a multi fuel stove since it will help reduce carbon monoxide accumulation in your home. DEFRA approved multi fuel stoves have an inbuilt venting system that automatically delivers sufficient air to the combustion process, ensuring that your home will be properly ventilated and safe to use.

Additionally, DEFRA approved stoves have minimum flue sizes of 550mm2, so they can be used with a standard twinwall system. Our flue liner range can be used with DEFRA-approved stoves. You can make your fireplace meet the most recent emission standards with our wide selection.

Look for the DEFRA symbol on the stove's packaging or online. This information is also available on a variety of reputable retailers' websites and in store displays.

If you're thinking of installing a multi-fuel stove, it's crucial to have the work done by a professional who is certified to ensure that you are in compliance with the building codes. If you do not adhere to the proper installation guidelines, it could lead to the issuance of a fine or even damage to your home. We suggest that you select an HETAS-approved contractor to install your stove, as they are knowledgeable about the guidelines of the manufacturer and the building codes.