Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves
There are a wide range of multi-fuel stoves that are exempt from defra regulations. Defra approved stoves comply with government regulations and are designed to burn fuel efficiently with low emissions.
This is particularly crucial if you reside in a smoke control zone. But even if don't need to, the Defra stove is more beneficial for your chimney and neighbours.
Defra Approved
You might have noticed that on our website, several wood burning stoves are described as DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. These terms may seem like jargon to the typical homeowner, but they're not.
DEFRA is the acronym for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and they handle regulations and policies concerning the environment, farming and food. Defra approved stoves have tested rigorously to ensure they abide by the strict guidelines of the government for smoke emission levels during operation. They are also designed to burn authorised fuels such as coal and wood more efficiently, which means they produce less pollutants.
It is good news for those who reside in a Smoke Control Area because the law currently prohibits smoke emissions in these areas unless using a DEFRA-approved stove and an approved fuel. In the past, it has been possible to install a non-Defra approved stove in a Smoke Control Area as long as you only used approved fuels like wood. But, as of January 2022, the rules are changing and stoves that aren't approved are not permitted to be installed unless they have been equipped with a secondary or tertiary combustion system that will drastically reduce their production of particulate matter, carbon dioxide, NOx and organic gaseous compounds.
In the case of our Defra approved stoves, they are 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 room. These stoves come with an adjustable air feed that allows you to open the top vent just a little and still maintain the safety of a clean, efficient combustion.
A stove that is approved by Defra can be fitted with a 5-inch chimney liner. This is important since there are a variety of building regulations which state that you need an elongated chimney with at least 5 inches of diameter.
Smoke Control Areas
If you live in a smoke-free zone, you will need a Defra approved stove if you want to legally burn wood in your home. DEFRA has examined these stoves to make sure they meet the strict standards for smoke emissions that are required in smoke control zones. On the Defra site, you will find a list of places that require a Defra-approved stove.
Defra Exempt Stoves & Multi Fuel Stoves
A Defra approved stove, also referred to as a DEFRA multi fuel or wood burning stove will have passed a rigorous test developed by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The UK government agency is responsible to protect our natural environment, assisting the food and farming industries, and ensuring a vibrant rural economic. The tests Defra approved stoves must pass are designed so that the stove produces minimal amounts of grit and smoke when it is operating.
Stove Supermarket stocks a number of Defra Exempt Stoves that are multi-fuel stoves. DEFRA approved wood burning stoves can use smokeless wood that is authorised and well-seasoned fuels. These stoves are also known 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 completely burned before it leaves the chimney. This is a cleaner method than simply leaving a fire in the fire to burn for long periods of time and reduces the amount smoke that could be emitted.
If you live or plan to move into a Smoke Control Area then a stove that is Defra-exempt will be a great choice for you. Not only will it be more sustainable, but it will also help reduce the amount of smoke that could upset your neighbors.
You can still use open fires, barbecues and pizza ovens in your garden but remember that toxic or excessive smoke could be a nuisance for the law and you could be fined. It is also prohibited to burn wet, damp or rotting wood or any other fuels in an open fire or stove in the Smoke Control Area.
Burning Other Fuels Other Than Petroleum
Defra Approved stoves are made to burn a wide range of fuels including wood. They burn wood so efficiently that they are in compliance with the strict regulations of the government regarding emissions when operating in smoke control areas. You can use them in any smoke-control zone, provided they are burning approved fuels like pellets, briquettes or logs. Stoves that have been approved by Defra will be marked with a SE' symbol, which stands for Smoke Exempt.
What is it that makes the Defra approved stove different from standard multifuel stoves is that they have secondary air vents which pre-heat the air prior to entering the firebox. The pre-heated air helps ensure that the entire fuel is ignited and burned, resulting in more efficient combustion. This also prevents the accumulation of soot that can block the chimney. Defra stoves are equipped with internal baffles that help regulate the flames, and maintain a uniform heat distribution.
Using non-Defra approved stoves in smoke controlled areas could result in heavy fines from the UK government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). If you want to avoid being charged by Defra ensure that you use a DEFRA-approved stove that has been tested in accordance with the guidelines of the government.
DEFRA stoves are also known as Clean Burn stoves. They are compatible with all kinds of fuel, but are particularly suited to dry hard and soft wood. They are designed with air vents that are unable to be completely closed so the stove will always receive oxygen to ensure the clean combustion process and reduce the risk of soot and noxious gases.
This technology is not just compliant with the current standards for air quality, but also with the future Ecodesign requirements that will come into effect in 2022. Many of the Stovax multi-fuel and wood burning stoves we sell will bear this SIA Ecodesign Ready mark which confirms that they meet the new standards for emissions. These new standards are being implemented as part of the government's ongoing efforts to keep the nation's air clean and healthy.
Installation
If you live in a smoke-free zone then a Defra exempt multi fuel stove can aid you in observing the rules. These wood burning and multi fuel stoves have been tested by independent experts in order to ensure they meet the strict smoke emission standards required in a Smoke control area. These appliances can burn wood or other fuels, such as coal without concern about the level of smoke they emit.
Stoves that are DEFRA approved are able to reduce smoke levels using advanced combustion technology that produces less smoke. They usually employ a second phase of combustion that re-burns some of the waste products from the initial stage, making them even more efficient and cleaner. These stoves can reduce not only the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, but also the amount of soot in the chimney and flue.
This is a great benefit for those who live in a smoke controlled area as it means that you can have a genuine fire more often and longer, with the additional benefit of lower energy bills. Due to the less pollution, these types of wood burning and multi fuel stoves are eco-friendly since they are able to burn a wider range of materials than other stoves.
The majority of stoves can be made DEFRA exempt using an easy manufacturer-supplied kit. This alters the air vents of the stove to stop them from being closed down at night. This is known as slumbering and allows part-burned combustibles that could otherwise block the flue to be released into the air. DEFRA approved stoves do not slumber and are more sustainable for the environment. They also prevent chimneys from being blocked less often.
To get the most out of your DEFRA approved stove, it is recommended that you have it professionally installed by an HETAS Registered Installer or a Building Control Officer. This will ensure that your installation was done to the correct specifications and complies with the most current regulations. It also helps protect your warranty since the installer can self-certify their work.