10 Meetups About Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves You Should Attend

Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves

There are a range of multi-fuel stoves exempt from the regulations of defra. DEFRA stoves comparison approved appliances are compliant with government regulations, and are engineered for efficient combustion and low emissions.

This is particularly important when you reside in a smoke control zone. Even if you don’t need to, it is important to know that a Defra Stove is better for your chimney, and your neighbours.

Defra Approved

You may have noticed on our website that a few of our wood burning stoves are categorized as being DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. These terms may seem like jargon to the typical homeowner, but they are not.

DEFRA is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. They are accountable for the policies and regulations related to food, agriculture, and the environment. Defra approved stoves have passed rigorous tests to ensure that they comply with the strict guidelines of the government for the emission of smoke during their operation. These stoves are also designed to burn authorised fuels such as coal and wood more efficiently, which means they produce far fewer pollutants.

This is good news for those who live in a Smoke Control Area as the law currently prohibits emissions of smoke within these areas, unless you are using a DEFRA approved stove and an authorised fuel. In the past, it was possible to install a non Defra approved wood stove in a Smoke Control Area, as long that you used only authorized fuels. But, as of January 2022, the rules are changing and stoves that are not approved are not permitted to be used unless they have been equipped with secondary or tertiary combustion system that will drastically reduce their production of particulate matter and NOx, carbon dioxide and organic gaseous compounds.

In the case of our Defra approved stoves, they’re also equipped with a mechanism that will stop you from closing the top air vent all the way down, as this could cause the fire to smoulder and emit smoke into your space. The stoves have an adjustable air flow that lets you open the top vent just a small amount and still have an efficient, safe burning.

A Defra-approved stove can also be equipped with a 5-inch chimney liner. This is crucial because the majority of building codes require a chimney to have a minimum of 5 inches diameter.

Smoke Control Areas

If you reside in a smoke-control zone you’ll require a DEFRA-approved stove to burn wood legally within your home. The stoves have been tested by DEFRA to ensure that they meet the strict standards for smoke emissions that are required in areas of smoke control. You can see the list of areas for which you require a Defra approved stove on the Defra website.

Multifuel stoves and Defra accredited stoves exempt stoves

A Defra approved wood stove, also referred to as a DEFRA Multi Wood Burning Stove, will have been through a rigorous test developed by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs. The UK government agency is responsible to protect our natural environment, supporting 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 very little smoke and grit when it is in operation.

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

Contrary to older stoves, which are generally not suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, the latest Defra multi fuel and woodburning stoves come with secondary and tertiary air systems that ensure that the wood is completely burned prior to exiting the chimney. This is a much cleaner method than simply leaving a fire in the fire to burn for long periods and reduces the amount of nuisance smoke that can be generated.

If you reside or plan to move into an area that is a Smoke Control Area then a stove that is Defra-exempt will be the best choice for you. It is not only more environmentally friendly but it will also help minimise the nuisance smoke that can upset your neighbours.

You can still use open fires, defra accredited stoves barbecues, and pizza ovens in your backyard but remember that excessive or toxic smoke could be a statutory nuisance and could result in a fine. You are also not allowed to burn damp, wet or rotting wood, or other fuels on an open fire or stove within an area designated as a Smoke Control Area.

Burning Other Fuels Besides Cars

Defra Approved stoves are engineered to burn a wide variety of fuels, including wood. They burn wood so efficiently that they are in compliance with the government’s strict regulations for emissions when operating in smoke control zones. They can be used in any smoke-control zone, provided they are burning approved fuels like logs, briquettes and pellets. Stoves that have been authorised by Defra will be branded with the SE’ logo, which stands for Smoke Exempt.

A stove that is approved by Defra differs from a standard multifuel stove in that it has secondary air vents that pre-heat air prior to it entering the firebox. This pre-heated, heated air ensures that all fuel is ignited to ensure a cleaner combustion. This also prevents the accumulation of soot and blockages in the chimney. Defra stoves have internal baffles that help control the flames and ensure a uniform heat distribution.

Defra could impose heavy penalties on anyone who uses a non-Defra approved appliance in areas that are smoke-free. To avoid being accused of trespassing by Defra you should only purchase and make use of a DEFRA approved stove that has been tested according to the government’s strict criteria.

DEFRA stoves are also referred to as Clean Burn stoves. They can be used for all kinds of fuel but they are best suited to wood that is soft and dry. They’re designed with air vents that cannot be closed completely, so the stove will always get a supply of oxygen to help ensure pure combustion and minimize noxious gases and soot.

This technology is not just compliant with the current government’s standards for air quality but also future Ecodesign requirements that will come into effect in 2022. A majority of Stovax wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves we sell will have this SIA Ecodesign Ready mark which confirms that they meet these new stricter emissions standards. These new standards are part of the government’s continuous efforts to keep the air in the country healthy and clean.

Installation

If you are in a smoke control area then a Defra exempt multi fuel stove will help you comply with the regulations. This is because these wood burning and multi fuel stoves have been tested independently to ensure that they meet the strict standards of smoke emissions required in a Smoke Control Area. They can be used to burn wood or other approved fuels such as coal without worrying about the levels of smoke they generate.

Stoves that have been DEFRA approved can lower the amount of smoke produced by advanced combustion technologies that produce less smoke. They typically employ an additional stage of combustion that re-burns some of the waste materials from the initial stage, making them even more efficient and cleaner. They reduce not just the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, DEFRA Accredited Stoves but also the amount of soot in the chimney and flue.

This is an excellent option especially if you live in a smoke controlled zone as it means you can have a genuine fire more often and for longer, with the added benefit of lower utility bills. As a result of the reduced levels of pollution, these types of wood-burning and multi fuel stoves are beneficial to the environment since they are able to use a wider range of materials than other stoves.

A simple kit provided by the manufacturer can make a majority of stoves DEFRA-exempt. This kit alters the vents for air on the stove so that they do not close at night. This is referred to as slumbering. It allows part-burned combustibles to be released into the atmosphere rather than going up the chimney where they could cause obstruction to the flue. DEFRA approved stoves don’t slumber and are better for the environment. They also tend to block chimneys less often.

To get the most out of your DEFRA approved stove it is recommended you have it professionally installed by an HETAS registered installer or an Building Control Officer. This will provide you with the assurance that your installation has been done to the proper specifications and is in compliance with the most current regulations. In addition, it can also protect your warranty as the installer can self-certify their work.