You've Forgotten Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves: 10 Reasons Why You Do Not Need It
Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves
There's a huge selection of defra-exempt multi fuel stoves to suit any home. Defra approved appliances comply with government regulations, and are designed to maximize fuel efficiency with low emissions.
This is especially important especially if you reside in a smoke control area. Even if you don't need to, it is important to know that a Defra Stove is better for your chimney, and your neighbors.
Defra Approved
You may have noticed that on our website, a number wood burning stoves are listed either as DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. These terms might seem like words to the typical homeowner, but they are not.
DEFRA stands for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and they manage regulations and policies concerning the environment, farming and food. Defra approved products have been subjected to rigorous testing to ensure they comply with the strict guidelines set by the government for smoke emissions when operating. These stoves are additionally designed to burn authorized fuels like wood and coal more efficiently, which means they produce less pollutants.
This is good news for those who live in a Smoke Control Area since the law currently bans the release of smoke in these areas, unless you are using an DEFRA approved stove and a fuel approved by DEFRA. In the past, it was possible to install a non-Defra approved stove in a Smoke Control Area as long as you used only approved fuels such as wood. However, from January 2022, the law is changing and any non-approved stoves are not permitted to be used unless they have been equipped with a secondary or tertiary combustion system that can dramatically 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 which stops 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. These stoves feature an adjustable air supply that lets you open the top vent a little and still maintain a safe, efficient burn.
Another benefit of buying a Defra approved stove is that it comes with a 5-inch chimney liner. This is crucial since there are a variety of building regulations which state that you need an unlined chimney that has at least a 5-inch diameter.
Smoke Control Areas
If you live in a smoke-free zone you'll need a Defra approved stove to legally burn wood in your home. These stoves have been inspected by DEFRA to ensure that they meet the strict standards of smoke emissions required in smoke control zones. You can view the list of areas for which you require a Defra approved stove on the Defra website.
Defra Exempt Stoves & Multi Stoves for Fuel
A Defra approved stove, also referred to as a DEFRA multi fuel or wood burning stove has passed a rigorous test developed by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The UK government agency is responsible for protecting our natural environment, assisting the food and farming industries, and ensuring a vibrant rural economic. The tests Defra approved stoves must pass are designed to ensure that the stove produces low levels of grit and smoke when it is in operation.
Stove Supermarket has a range of Defra Exempt Stoves that are multi-fuel stoves. This means you can burn smokeless, authorised wood as well as seasoned fuels. They will often be described as Defra stoves or Defra approved woodburners. They are usually abbreviated to SE.
The latest Defra multi-fuel stoves and woodburning stoves are equipped with secondary and tertiary venting systems that ensure that the wood is completely burned before it exits the chimney. This is a much cleaner procedure than leaving a fire on the stove to burn for long periods of time and reduces the amount of smoke that can be generated.
If you are living or planning to move into an area that is a Smoke Control Area then a stove that is Defra-exempt will be a great option for you. It's not just more sustainable, but it also helps in reducing the nuisance smoke that could upset your neighbors.
You are still able to use open fires, barbecues and pizza ovens in your garden however, remember that toxic or excessive smoke could be a statutory nuisance and could result in a fine. It is also prohibited to use damp, wet or rotting wood, or other fuels on an open fire or stove within a Smoke Control Area.
Burning Other Fuels
Defra Approved Stoves are made to burn a variety of fuels, including wood. They burn wood so efficiently that they comply with the strict emission regulations of the government when operating in smoke zones for control. This means that they can be used legally in any smoke control zone provided you're burning approved fuels like pellets, logs and brquettes. Stoves that are Defra approved will usually be identified by the an 'SE' symbol that is a reference to Smoke Exempt.
What makes the Defra approved stove different to standard multifuel stoves is that they have air vents that pre-heat the air prior to entering the firebox. The pre-heated, heated air ensures that all fuel is ignited to ensure a cleaner combustion. It also prevents the build-up of soot up and stops the chimney from becoming blocked. The stoves of Defra also come with internal baffle plates that aid to regulate the flames and maintain an even heat distribution.
Defra could impose heavy penalties on anyone who uses appliances that are not approved by Defra in areas that are smoke-free. To avoid being charged by Defra you should only purchase and use a DEFRA approved stove that has been tested to meet the government's strict criteria.
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 wood, both soft and hard. Air vents cannot be closed completely, so there is always oxygen to support the clean combustion.
This technology not only complies with the current government's air quality standards but also with the future Ecodesign requirements that will come in 2022. A large portion of Stovax wood burning and multi-fuel stoves we offer will carry 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 continuous efforts to keep the air in the country healthy and clean.
Installation
If you reside in a Smoke Control Zone and you are in a Smoke Control Area, a Defra exempt multi stove can assist you in complying with the regulations. This is because these wood burning and multi fuel stoves have been independently tested to ensure that they meet the strict standards for smoke emissions that are required in a Smoke Control Area. These stoves can burn wood or other fuels such as coal, without worrying about the level of smoke they produce.
Stoves that are DEFRA approved can reduce smoke levels by using advanced combustion technology that produces less smoke. They typically employ an additional stage of combustion that re-burns a portion of the waste products from the first stage, making them less polluting and more efficient. In addition to the reduced emissions they also reduce the amount of soot build-up within the flue and chimney.
This is a great benefit especially 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 added benefit of lower utility bills. These multi-fuel and wood burning stoves are good for the environment because they emit less pollution. They can also be used to burn more fuel than other stoves.
A simple kit provided by the manufacturer can make most stoves DEFRA-exempt. DEFRA approved contemporary stoves can alter the air vents on the stove to ensure that they do not close at night. This is referred to as slumbering, and allows part-burned combustibles to escape into the atmosphere rather than going up the chimney, where they could hinder the flue. DEFRA approved stoves don't slumber and are therefore much more eco-friendly and less likely to block a chimney.
It is recommended that an HETAS registered installer or Building Control officer install your DEFRA approved appliance to get the most out of it. This will provide you with the assurance that your installation has been done to the correct specifications and in line with the latest regulations. It will also help protect your warranty as the installer is able to self-certify their work.