Wood Burning and Multi Fuel Stoves That Are DEFRA Approved
Wood burning and multi fuel stoves that are DEFRA approved, also referred to as Defra Smoke Exempt, have passed stringent emissions tests. This means that they can be used within UK cities and large towns that are classified as smoke control areas.
A stunning, contemporary-styled stove from ACR that is EcoDesign 2022-ready and comes with DEFRA approval allowing use in a smoke-controlled area.
Defra Approved
If you reside in a Smoke Control Area in the UK and want to use wood in your stove, then you must have an DEFRA approved or
DEFRA stoves ratings and reviews exempt appliance. DEFRA is the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and it is the government department that restricts the release of smoke into towns and cities in areas that could pose problems for residents. These appliances have been subjected to rigorous testing to ensure that particulate emissions are drastically decreased, and are able to pass the strict Defra smoke tests.
The Defra approval or DEFRA exempt logo is widely recognized and widely used by the industry. It is often printed or engraved on the stove, but sometimes the wording is included in the specification sheet. You will also come across a range of models that are DEFRA approved and DEFRA exempt,
Wood Heater which means that they can be used for both wood and solid fuels.
A wood-burning stove that has been endorsed by Defra has undergone extensive testing to determine how much particulate matter it produces. It is able to comply with the Clean Air Act by supplying an appropriate amount of combustion air to the fuel, so that it burns effectively without generating too much smoke. They are more environmentally friendly than non Defra approved stoves, and will also help you save money by reducing your heating costs.
Defra approve wood-burning stoves are beneficial for those who live in a Smoke Control Area of the UK. If you choose to use a non-Defra approved stove in a Smoke Control Area that is not approved, then you're in violation of the law and could be hit with a huge fine. A Defra approved stove will be more neighbour friendly since it won't produce any nuisance smoke and will typically mean that your chimney and
wood Heater flue system will remain cleaner for longer too.
A DEFRA approved
Wood heater burning stove will also allow you to legally install a 5kW stove with stainless steel twin wall flexible liner (provided the manufacturer doesn't demand an increased diameter). This is a good option in case you are looking to save money on the cost of a new chimney. It also is a great alternative when space is at a premium.
Exempt from Defra
If you live in an area where smoking is prohibited and you want to smoke, a DEFRA-approved cooking appliance is a must-have. The stoves have been thoroughly tested to ensure they produce minimal emissions that reduce the amount of particulate matter within your home (PM10).
DEFRA approved wood burning stoves have the 'Defra Approved' or 'DEFRA Exempt' logo on their specifications. Stoves that have the logo have been tested independently and meet the strict smoke control requirements.
It is important to remember that you cannot make use of
Defra Exempt stoves to burn dry wood in Smoke Control Zone as this will produce a nuisance smoke. You should not use non-Defra certified multi fuel stoves unless within a Smoke Control Area. This will also create PM10 and cause a significant fine from the council.
Defra approved multi fuel stoves are engineered to burn authorised wood and smokeless coal efficiently without producing nuisance smoke. They achieve this with the latest combustion technology which doesn't restrict airflow to the firebox, which is called sleeping. When stoves are left to slumber for a long time, they will often emit excessive black smoke which is not good for your chimney, your stove or your health.
A good example of a top-quality Defra Exempt multi fuel stove is the Stovax Vogue small. This popular wood burning fireplace is highly efficient, with a maximum output of 5kW. It also features an integrated log storage base, making it ideal for fireplaces with larger openings.
ACR Earlswood LS is a different multi-fuel wood burner that has been approved by Defra. The Earlswood is yet another multi-fuel stove that has been through an extensive series of tests to ensure that it meets the strict requirements set by DEFRA for particulate emissions. It can be used in areas with smoke control and burns a variety wood and smokeless fuels.
A multi-fuel stove that is DEFRA Exempt can be an affordable solution for a new chimney lining. Because they all have a 5" flue outlet this means that you can use the 125mm diameter stainless-steel twin wall flexible chimney liner instead of the standard 6" (150mm). This is particularly cost-effective if there is not enough space to accommodate a larger liner. It can also be useful if the chimney stack has a curly bend which make it difficult to install a 6" chimney liner.
Smoke Control Areas
Many areas in the UK have been designated Smoke Control Areas. This means that if your house is equipped with an open fire stove, wood burning stove or fireplace, you are permitted to only burn fuels approved by the UK government. This law was passed to prevent smoke from affecting neighbouring properties, and to help keep the environment clean. It doesn't prohibit the use of solid fuel appliances or stoves that meet certain standards. DEFRA approved stoves (also known as Defra-exempted stoves) are a great choice when you reside in a smoking-free area. They have been specially tested and meet these requirements.
A Defra approved multi fuel stove is usually capable of burning all authorised fuels, including wood, without generating excessive smoke. To accomplish this the technology used to burn wood in a Defra approved stove has been developed to limit how depleted the stove is of air during the burning process. Usually, this is accomplished by making use of special baffles inside the stove that redirect airflow and stop it from exiting the stove.
The most DEFRA-approved stoves have a feature called "clean burn," which permits combustibles that are part-burned, such as soot and ash to be combustible and discharged through the chimney rather than into the room. This feature prevents combustibles that were partially burned from entering the stove again and causing a build-up that could eventually result in black smoke.
If you have a stove that is exempt from Defra, you must only burn the fuels that are specified in the Clean Air Act. This is particularly the case when you are burning damp wood or other wet fuels that will create fumes that are noxious. Check with your stove's manual or with your provider to find out what fuels are permitted in your stove.
Gr8Fires has a range of DEFRA-exempt stoves suitable for smoke-controlled areas. The Dimplex Langbrook, for example, is a stylish wood-burning fireplace which is Defra-exempt and can be used with a broad selection of fuels that are authorised. This model is available in different heat outputs, and comes in a variety of styles, including a modern matt black finish.
Heat Output
When you see the Defra approved logo on a stove it means that it is suitable for use in a smoke-control area when burning wood or other fuels that are permitted. The Defra approval process requires thorough examination and testing to ensure that the stove is in compliance with the Department of Environment's requirements for low emissions and high combustion efficiency. These features will make the stove more efficient at heating your home, which will help to lower your heating bills and reduce your carbon footprint.
There are many multi-fuel stoves that have been certified by Defra and range from small models with 4kW to larger models that have 5kW.
