11 Faux Pas Youre Actually Able To Create With Your Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves

Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves

There is a variety of multi-fuel stoves exempt from the regulations of defra. Defra approved appliances are compliant with government regulations and are designed to maximize efficient combustion and low emissions.

This is particularly crucial if you reside in a smoke-free zone. Even if you do not, a Defra Stove is better for your chimney, and your neighbours.

Defra Approved

You may have noticed on our website, several wood burning stoves are listed either as DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. For the average homeowner, these terms could appear to be jargon that they do not need to be aware of however this isn't the reality.





DEFRA is the acronym for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and they oversee policies and regulations regarding the environment, farming and food. Defra approved products have gone through rigorous tests to ensure that they meet the strict guidelines of the government for smoke emissions during operation. They are also designed to burn approved fuels such as wood and coal more efficiently, which means they emit less pollution.

It's a great thing for those who reside in a Smoke Control Area because the law currently prohibits smoke emissions within these areas unless using a DEFRA-approved stove and an approved fuel. In the past it was possible to install an non Defra approved wood stove in a Smoke Control Area, as long as you used only authorised fuels. In January 2022, the laws will be altered and stoves that aren't approved will not be permitted to be used unless they are equipped with a secondary and tertiary system that can reduce their productions of particulate, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and organic gaseous substances.

Our Defra approved ranges are also equipped with a mechanism that prevents you from closing the top air vent completely. This could lead to the fire smouldering and emitting smoke into your home. These stoves come with an adjustable air supply that allows you to open the top vent a bit and still keep the safety of a clean, efficient burning.

Another benefit of purchasing a Defra approved stove is that it can be fitted with a 5-inch chimney liner. This is important because there are numerous building regulations that state that you must have an unlined chimney that has at least a 5-inch diameter.

Smoke Control Areas

If you live in a zone of smoke control, 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 required in smoke control zones. You can view the list of areas in which you will require a Defra approved stove on the Defra website.

Multifuel stoves and stoves exempt from Defra

A Defra approved stove, also known as a DEFRA multi fuel or wood burning stove will have passed a stringent test developed by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The UK government agency is responsible for protecting our natural environment, supporting the agriculture and food industries and sustaining a thriving rural economy. The tests Defra Approved Stoves must clear are designed to ensure that the appliance produces only small amounts of grit or smoke when it is operating.

A lot of the Defra Exempt stoves we stock at Stove Supermarket are also multi fuel stoves that will allow you to use authorised smokeless fuels, as well as seasoned wood. They are usually called Defra stoves or Defra approved woodburners, and they are often abbreviated as SE.

The latest Defra woodburning and multi-fuel stoves come with secondary and tertiary air ventilation systems that ensure the wood is completely burned prior to leaving the chimney. This is more efficient than simply putting a piece of wood on the fire for a long period of time. It can also reduce the amount of smoke that could be produced.

If you reside in a Smoke Control Area, or in the process of moving to one, a Defra exempt stove is a great option for your property. It's not only more sustainable, but it also helps to reduce the nuisance smoke which can cause a disturbance to your neighbors.

You can still enjoy an open fire, barbecues and a pizza oven in your backyard. However, excessive or toxic smoke can be considered a nuisance, and you could be fined. In the Smoke Control Area it is not allowed to use open flames or stoves that burn damp, rotten or wet wood or any other fuels.

Burning Other Fuels Other Than Petroleum

Defra Approved stoves are designed to burn a wide variety 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. You can use them in any smoke-control zone, provided they are burning approved fuels such as pellets, briquettes or logs. Stoves that have been certified by Defra will be branded with a SE' symbol, which stands for Smoke Exempt.

A stove that is Defra-approved differs from a typical multifuel stove in that it has secondary air vents that pre-heat air prior to entering the firebox. This pre-heated air helps ensure that the entire fuel is ignited and burned, leading to an efficient combustion process. It also helps to reduce the build-up of soot up and prevents the chimney from clogging. The stoves of Defra also come with internal baffle plates which help to regulate the flames and ensure even heat distribution.

Defra could impose severe penalties for anyone who is using appliances that are not approved by Defra in smoke-controlled areas. If you wish to avoid being prosecuted 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 referred to as Clean Burn stoves. They can be used with all kinds of fuel, but are ideally suited for dry hard and soft wood. They are designed with air vents that can't be completely closed so the stove will always receive oxygen to help ensure clean combustion and minimise the risk of noxious gases and soot.

This technology is not only in line with the current standards for air quality of the government but also with the upcoming Ecodesign requirements that will be implemented in 2022. Many of the Stovax wood burning and multi-fuel stoves we sell will bear this SIA Ecodesign Ready mark which signifies that they are in compliance 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 reside in a smoke control area then a Defra exempt multi fuel stove will aid you in observing the regulations. This is because these multi fuel and wood burning stoves have been tested independently to ensure they comply with the strict smoke emissions standards 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 using advanced combustion technology that creates less smoke. These stoves employ a second stage of combustion that recycles waste products from the first stage. This makes them cleaner and more efficient. These stoves reduce not only the amount of emissions but also the amount of soot that gets into the chimney and flue.

DEFRA compliant stoves list is a great benefit for those who live in a smoke controlled area since it means you can enjoy a real fire more often and for longer with the added benefit of lower utility bills. Because of the less pollution, these types of wood-burning and multi fuel stoves are eco-friendly since they can burn a wider range of materials than other stoves.

Most stoves can be transformed into DEFRA exempt with an easy manufacturer-supplied kit. This kit can alter the vents for air on the stove to ensure that they do not shut at night. This is referred to as slumbering. It allows part-burned combustibles to be released into the air instead of being pushed up the chimney where they can cause obstruction to the flue. DEFRA approved stoves do not slumber and are therefore much better for the environment and far less likely to block the chimney.

To get the most benefit of your DEFRA approved stove it is recommended you have it professionally installed by an HETAS Registered Installer or by an official from the Building Control Office. This will ensure that the installation was done to the correct specifications and in line with the latest regulations. It will also protect your warranty since the installer can self-certify their own work.