15 Reasons You Must Love Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves
Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves
There are a range of multi-fuel stoves exempt from the defra regulations. Defra approved stoves meet government regulations and are designed to burn fuel efficiently and emit low emissions.
This is particularly crucial when you live in a smoke-control area. Even if you don't, it is important to know that a Defra Stove is better for your chimney and for your neighbors.
Defra Approved
You may have noticed across our website that a few of our wood burning stoves are listed as being DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. To the average home owner, these terms could sound like jargon that they do not need to pay attention to, but this is not the truth.
DEFRA stands for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and they handle regulations and policies concerning the environment, farming and food. Defra approved products have been subjected to rigorous tests to ensure that they adhere to the government's strict guidelines regarding smoke emissions during operation. They are additionally designed to burn authorized fuels like coal and wood more efficiently, which means that they produce less pollutants.
This is a great news for those living in a Smoke Control Area since the law currently prohibits emissions of smoke within these areas unless using an DEFRA approved stove and a fuel that is authorised. In the past, it was possible to install a non Defra approved wood stove in a Smoke Control Area, as long as you used only authorised fuels. As of January 2022, the laws will be changed and stoves that are not approved won't be allowed to be used unless fitted with a secondary and tertiary system that can reduce the production of particulate matter nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and organic gaseous substances.
Our Defra approved ranges are also equipped with a mechanism to prevent you from closing down the top air vent completely. This could lead to the fire to ignite and release smoke into your home. These stoves feature an adjustable air feed that lets you open the top vent a little and still maintain a safe, efficient burning.
A stove that is approved by Defra can be fitted with a 5 inch chimney liner. This is crucial as there are many construction regulations that require you need an elongated chimney with at least a 5-inch diameter.
Smoke Control Areas
If you live in a smoke-control area you'll require a DEFRA-approved stove to legally burn wood within your home. defra stoves Installation has tested these stoves to ensure they meet the strict standards for smoke emissions in smoke zones for control. You can find the list of areas in which you need a Defra approved stove on the Defra website.
Multi Fuel Stoves
A Defra approved wood stove, also referred to as a DEFRA Multi Wood Burning Stove is one that has passed a stringent test that was developed by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs. The UK government agency is responsible for protecting our natural environment, assisting the farming and food industry and sustaining a flourishing rural economy. The tests Defra Approved Stoves must pass are designed so that the stove produces minimal amounts of grit and smoke when it is in operation.
A lot of the Defra Exempt stoves we stock at Stove Supermarket are 5kw multi fuel stoves defra approved fuel stoves that allow you to burn authorised smokeless fuels and seasoned wood. They will often be called Defra stoves or Defra approved woodburners, and they are usually abbreviated to SE.
Contrary to older stoves, which are not suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, the latest Defra multi fuel and woodburning stoves feature secondary and tertiary air systems that ensure that the wood is fully burned before it exits the chimney. This is a much cleaner method than simply leaving a fire on the stove to burn for long periods and it reduces the amount of smoke that can be generated.
If you reside in an area that is a Smoke Control Area, or considering moving to one, then a Defra exempt stove is an excellent choice for your property. It's not only more environmentally friendly, but it also helps in reducing the amount of smoke that can make your neighbors angry.
You are still able to use an open fire, barbecues or pizza ovens in your garden. However, excessive or toxic smoke can be considered a nuisance, and you could be penalized. In a Smoke Control Area You are not allowed to use open flames or stoves to burn damp, defra stoves Installation rotten or wet wood or any other fuels.
Burning Other Fuels
Defra Approved Stoves are made to burn different types of fuels including wood. They burn wood with such efficiency that they are in compliance with strict government regulations for emissions when operating in smoke zones for control. They can be used in any smoke-control area, so long as they're burning approved fuels, such as pellets, briquettes or logs. Stoves that are Defra Approved will usually be identified by the an 'SE' logo that stands for Smoke Exempt.
A stove that is Defra-approved differs from a standard multifuel stove because it has secondary air vents which pre-heat air before it enters into the firebox. The pre-heated, heated air ensures that all fuel is ignited to ensure a cleaner combustion. It also helps to reduce the build-up of soot in the chimney and keeps it from becoming blocked. The stoves of Defra also come with internal baffle plates that help to control the flames and maintain an even heat distribution.
The use of non-Defra-approved stoves in smoke controlled areas could result in hefty fines from the UK government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). To avoid being charged by Defra you should only buy and make use of a DEFRA approved stove that has been tested to the government's strict criteria.
DEFRA stoves are also referred to as Clean Burn stoves. They can be used with most kinds of fuel, but are particularly suited to dry soft and hard wood. They're built with air vents that cannot be closed completely so that the stove will always have a supply of oxygen to ensure pure combustion and minimize noxious gases and soot.
This technology is not only in line with the current standards for air quality of the government, but also with future Ecodesign standards that will come in place in 2022. Many of the Stovax wood burning and multi-fuel 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 ongoing efforts to keep the air we breathe clean and healthy.
Installation
If you live in a smoke control area then a Defra exempt multi fuel stove will help you comply with the rules. These wood burning and multi fuel stoves have been tested by independent experts to ensure that they comply with the strict smoke emission standards required in a Smoke control area. They can burn wood, or other fuels like coal without concern about the level of smoke they emit.
Stoves that are DEFRA certified can reduce smoke levels through advanced combustion technology that produces less smoke. They typically employ the second stage of combustion that re-burns some of the waste materials from the initial stage, making them even more efficient and cleaner. In addition to the reduction in emissions the stoves also lessen the amount of soot that builds up in the chimney and flue.
This is an excellent option if you live in a smoke controlled area as it means that you can sit in front of a real fire more often and for longer with the additional benefit of lower energy bills. Because of the reduced levels of pollution, these kinds of wood burning and multi fuel stoves are also eco-friendly since they can be used to use a wider range of materials than other stoves.
A simple kit supplied by the manufacturer can make many stoves DEFRA-exempt. This changes the air vents of the stove to stop them from closing at night. This is known as slumbering and it allows part-burned combustibles and flammables to escape into the atmosphere rather than going up the chimney, where they can hinder the flue. DEFRA approved stoves do not sleep and are, therefore, more eco-friendly and less likely to block a chimney.
It is recommended that a HETAS certified installer or Building Control officer install your DEFRA approved appliance to get the best out of it. This will ensure that the installation was completed to the correct specifications and in line with the most current regulations. It also helps protect your warranty as the installer can self-certify their own work.