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Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves

There are a range of multi-fuel stoves that are exempt from defra regulations. Defra approved stoves comply with the regulations of the government and are designed to efficiently burn fuel with low emissions.

This is particularly important especially if you reside in a smoke-free zone. Even if you do not, a Defra stove is better for your chimney as well as your neighbors.

Defra Approved

You may have noticed on our website that many of our wood burning stoves are categorized as DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. For the average homeowner, these terms may seem like jargon homeowners don't have to be aware of but that isn't the truth.

DEFRA is the acronym for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and they oversee policies and regulations concerning the environment, farming and food. Defra approved stoves have been tested rigorously to ensure that they comply with the government's strict rules for the emission of smoke during their operation. They are designed to burn fuels like coal and wood more efficiently. This means they produce less pollutants.

It is good news for those who live in a Smoke Control Area, as the law currently prohibits smoke emissions within 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 wood stove in a Smoke Control Area, as long as you used only authorised fuels. As of January 2022, the law will change and non-approved stoves won't be allowed to be used unless they're equipped with a secondary and tertiary system that can reduce their productions of particulate, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and organic gaseous substances.

In the case of our Defra approved stoves, they are equipped with a mechanism which prevents you from closing the top air vent all the way down since this could cause the fire to get smoldering and release smoke into your home. Instead, these stoves have an adjustable air supply that lets you open the top vent just a bit and still keep the safety and efficiency of your fire.

A stove that is Defra-approved can be fitted with a 5-inch chimney liner. This is crucial because there are numerous building regulations which state that you need an elongated chimney with at least a 5-inch diameter.

Smoke Control Areas

If you live in a smoke-free zone you'll require a Defra approved stove if you wish to legally burn wood in your home. DEFRA has tested these stoves to ensure they meet the strict standards for smoke emissions in smoke zones for control. On the Defra site, you will see a list of areas which require a stove that has been approved by DEFRA.

Multifuel stoves and Defra exempt stoves

A Defra approved wood stove, also known as a DEFRA Multi Fuel or Wood Burning Stove 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 ensuring the protection of our natural environment, promoting the food and farming industries, and maintaining a thriving rural economic. The tests Defra approved stoves must pass are designed to ensure that the appliance produces minimal levels of smoke and grit when it is operating.

Stove Supermarket stocks a number of Defra Exempt Stoves that are multi-fuel stoves. This means that you can burn smokeless, authorised wood as well as well-seasoned fuels. These stoves are referred to as Defra stoves, Defra approved wooden burners and are abbreviated SE.

Unlike older stoves, which are generally not suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, the latest Defra woodburning and multi-fuel stoves feature secondary and tertiary air systems that ensure that the wood is completely burned prior to it leaving the chimney. This is a much cleaner method than simply leaving a log fire on the stove to burn for long periods and reduces the amount of smoke that could be emitted.

If you reside in an area that is a Smoke Control Area, or considering moving to one, then a Defra exempt stove is the best choice for your property. It is not only more sustainable, but it also helps in reducing the amount of smoke that can cause a disturbance to your neighbors.

You can still enjoy an open fire, barbecues or a pizza oven in your garden. However, excessive or toxic smoke could be considered to be a nuisance and you could be penalized. In a Smoke Control Area it is not permitted to use open fires or stoves for burning damp, rotten, or wet wood or any other fuels.

Burning Other Fuels Besides Cars

Defra Approved stoves are engineered to burn a variety of fuels including wood. They burn wood with such efficiency that they comply with the strict regulations of the government for emissions when operating in smoke control zones. This means that they can be used legally in any area of smoke control as long as you're burning authorised fuels like pellets, logs and Briquettes. Stoves that have been certified by Defra will bear a mark with a SE' symbol, which stands for Smoke Exempt.

A stove that is Defra-approved differs from a conventional multifuel stove because it has secondary air vents that pre-heat air prior to it entering the firebox. This pre-heated air helps to ensure that the entire fuel is ignited and burned, leading to a cleaner combustion process. This also prevents the accumulation of soot that can block the chimney. The Defra stoves come with internal baffles that help control the flames, and maintain a uniform heat distribution.

Stoves that are not approved by DEFRA in areas with smoke control could result in hefty fines from the UK government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). If you want to avoid being prosecuted by Defra, only use a DEFRA approved stove that has been tested in accordance with government criteria.

DEFRA stoves are also referred to as Clean Burn stoves. They can be used for most types of fuel, but are best suited to wood that is dry and soft. They're designed with air vents that are unable to be completely closed so the stove will always have oxygen to help ensure clean combustion and minimise the risk of noxious gases and soot.

This technology is not only compatible with the current air quality standards of the government, but also with future Ecodesign standards that will come implemented in 2022. Many of the Stovax wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves we offer will carry this SIA Ecodesign Ready mark which confirms that they meet these new stricter emissions standards. These new standards are being implemented as part of the ongoing efforts by the government to ensure that the air in the country is clean and healthy.

Installation

If you live in a Smoke Control Area and you are in a Smoke Control Area, a Defra exempt multi stove can help you comply with the rules. This is because these multi fuel and wood burning stoves have been tested independently to ensure they comply with the strict standards of smoke emissions that are required in a Smoke Control Area. These appliances can burn wood or other fuels such as coal, without worrying about the level of smoke they produce.

Stoves that are DEFRA certified can reduce smoke levels through advanced combustion technology that creates less smoke. These stoves typically use an additional stage of combustion that re-burns some of the waste products from the first stage, making them less polluting and more efficient 5kw portable eco stove multifuel cast iron. They reduce not just the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, but also the amount of soot in the chimney and flue.

If you live in an area that is smoke-free this is an important idea to know. You can enjoy a real fireplace more often and longer. In addition, you'll save money on your energy bills. These wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves are beneficial to the environment since they release less pollution. They can also be utilized to burn more materials than other stoves.

The majority of stoves can be transformed into DEFRA exempt by using an easy manufacturer-supplied kit. This alters the air vents on the stove to stop them from closing at night. This is referred to as slumbering. It allows part-burned combustibles and flammables to escape into the air instead of going up the chimney, where they can cause obstruction to the flue. DEFRA approved stoves don't slumber and are more sustainable for the environment. They also tend to block chimneys less often.

To make the most of your DEFRA approved stove It is recommended that you have it professionally installed by a HETAS registered installer or a Building Control Officer. This will give you peace of mind that your installation has been completed to the proper specifications and is in compliance with the most current regulations. In addition, it will also help protect your warranty as the installer can self-certify their work.