What is a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove?
A defra certified multi fuel stove is one that has successfully passed the Defra smoke tests. They are also called SE (smoke exempt) stoves.
The Defra department of the government is responsible for implementing rules and regulations relating to agriculture, rural issues and the environment. The
DEFRA recognized stoves test ensures you can burn wood or approved smokeless fuels like Anthracite in an area that is smoke-free without upsetting your neighbours with annoying smoke.
Eco-Friendly
Eco-friendly stoves emit less carbon dioxide, while making use of fuel efficiently and using sustainable materials. Eco-friendly stoves are typically designed to burn wood, or a combination with other approved fuels. A wide variety of eco-friendly log burners and multi fuel stoves are available, ranging from contemporary to traditional models. Some eco-friendly stoves make use of the dung of pigs as a reliable and carbon-negative substitute for wood.
The most important thing you can do to make your stove eco-friendly is to ensure that the fuel is properly seasoned or kiln-dried. This helps reduce the moisture content and allows the wood to burn more efficiently, generating less smoke. It's also a great idea to only purchase wood that comes from sustainable forests. Look for
Defra Stoves the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' logo when buying wood to ensure that it has been dried at an appropriate level.
Most newer stoves are made to meet the strict EU EcoDesign standards. These standards require stove manufacturers to design wood burning stoves keeping energy efficiency and the environment in mind. Ecodesign stoves must take into account the environment, energy efficiency, and the reduction of waste. These are some of the most eco-friendly and cleanest stoves available.
Another option to make your stove more green is to substitute the grates with ceramic. Ceramic is not only aesthetically pleasing but also anti-smoking and reduces sulphur oxide in the air. Additionally, ceramic grate liners are easy to clean and last longer than steel inserts for grates.
In a Smoke Control Area you are able to use a wood-burner or multi-fuel stove. However, it is important to use only fuels that have been approved by Defra. You could be breaking the law if you do not. Only make use of fuels that have been approved by Defra, such as anthracite manufactured round in your stove.
Clean Burning
A Defra approved multi fuel stove can be used in smoke-controlled areas when it is burning authorised smokeless fuels only. It can be a kind of naturally occurring or manufactured smokeless log or anthracite and it must adhere to certain regulations in order to meet the requirements for a Defra approved wood burning stove. The stove manufacturers must also follow the regulations to sell an exempt from DEFRA wood burner. Here at The Stove Yard we have an incredible selection of DEFRA approved stoves for wood burning and multi fuel stoves made by top brands such as Arada, Parkray, Burley, Stovax and many more.
These Defra-exempt stoves use the latest technology for combustion to reduce tar emissions and tar accumulation in your chimney or flue system. The stoves utilize secondary and tertiary systems that ignite particulates, tar gasses and other pollutants before they are released into the air. This is the reason Defra approved wood burning stoves are so much cleaner than open fires and older generation stoves.
The design of a stove that is Defra-approved is also different. Most of our stoves have an internal mechanism that allows for an intermittent flow of air to the fire even after the vents for air have been shut. This prevents ash and soot being sent up the fireplace, which can cause dangerous chimney fires.
This is an essential feature for those who live in a smoke-free area, the new Defra approved stoves don't allow you to shut the air vents completely and slumber your stove overnight that could release combustibles that have been partially burned into the atmosphere.
A DEFRA-approved cooktop will have a longer burning time than older non-
Defra stoves. However should you decide to replace your fuel of choice with smokeless coal in order to slumber the stove overnight and reduce the time of the burning time due to the continuous supply of air required for slumbering will reduce the combustion of smokeless fuel.
Reduced Emissions
When used correctly the DEFRA-exempt stove will produce very low levels of emissions. These emissions are usually PM2.5 particles, which can cause a variety of health problems such as heart diseases and lung diseases when inhaled.
The high efficiency of combustion offered by a DEFRA-approved wood burner reduces the amount harmful particles and pollutants released in the process of burning. This significantly lowers the environmental impact especially in urban areas where pollution levels are high.
The efficiency of a stove could reduce the cost of heating your home. Utilizing the DEFRA approved wood-burning stove instead of gas boilers of the conventional variety can help reduce your carbon footprint as well as save money on your energy bills.
If you live in a smoke controlled zone, it's important to make sure that your stove is DEFRA Approved or Smoke Exempt as this will allow you to burn Defra Approved fuels, such as manufactured smokeless coal ovals, such as Anthracite and Homefire as well as dried wood and other authorised solid fuels. This will allow you to enjoy the fireplace without having to worry about whether the smoke could disturb your neighbors.
Many stoves that are DEFRA certified, are tested to meet clearSkies standards and are able to be labeled with the clearSkies label. The clearSkies scheme is an independent scheme that requires stove makers to provide information about the effectiveness and emissions of their appliances to help consumers make an informed decision. The information must include the stove's efficiency rating, emissions, as well as type and size.
However, it's important to remember that,
DEFRA stoves just as with Ecodesign the clearSkies guidelines are minimum standards and manufacturers are able to exceed them. ESSE, for example has developed its latest stoves to be more efficient and cleaner burning and produce less particulates, without sacrificing performance or control. This latest development uses Twin Catalytic Combustion Technology, a patent-pending technology that reburns all smoke particles which reduces their impact on the atmosphere.
In fact when you're in a smoke-free zone and you use an DEFRA Approved stove with a good quality, kiln dried or seasoned log, you'll get as much, or even more heat from the same amount of dry wood as if were to burn it on a non-DEFRA Approved stove. It could be up to 24 percent cheaper to heat your home using a new Defra Approved Stove than a gas boiler.
Compliant with Building Regulations
If you reside in a Smoke Control Area, it's important to have a DEFRA approved multi-fuel stove. The stoves have been tested to ensure that they don't emit smoke when burning approved fuel. They can therefore be used them in areas with a large number of buildings. We install and supply DEFRA approved log stoves made by top brands like Mi-fires or Contura.
A DEFRA approved multi fuel stove will also allow you to burn wood, peat and other solid fuels safely. It is important to be aware that certain types of fuels cannot be used in Smoke Control Areas.
A proper ventilation system is crucial to the safe operation of a multi fuel stove, since it will help reduce the amount of carbon monoxide that builds up in your home. DEFRA approved stoves have a built-in ventilation system that supplies sufficient air to the combustion process. This ensures your home is always fully ventilated, and safe to use.
