What is a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove?
A defra-approved multi fuel stove is one that has been cleared of the Defra smoke tests. They are also sometimes called SE (smoke exempt) stoves.
The government Defra department oversees rules and regulations concerning the environment, farming and rural issues. The Defra test demonstrates that you are able to burn wood or approved smokeless fuels such as Anthracite ovals in an area that is smoke-free without causing any disturbance to your neighbors by emitting noisy smoke.
Eco-Friendly
Eco-friendly stoves are made to emit a minimum amount of carbon dioxide, by using fuel efficiently and utilising sustainable materials. They typically use wood or a combination of authorised fuels and are designed with environmental considerations in the back of their minds. A wide variety of eco-friendly log burners and multi fuel stoves are readily available with a range of styles from contemporary to traditional models. Some eco-friendly stoves even make use of dung (the excreta of domesticated livestock) as a highly efficient and carbon-free alternative to wood.
The most important aspect to making sure your stove is eco-friendly is to make sure that the fuel you use is properly seasoned or dried. This helps reduce the moisture content and allows the wood to burn more efficiently, generating less smoke. It is also a good idea to purchase only wood that has been harvested from sustainable forests. Look for the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' logo when purchasing wood to ensure it has been dried at the right level.
The majority of newer stoves comply with strict EU EcoDesign Standards. These standards require stove manufacturers to develop wood burning stoves that are energy efficient and with the environment in mind. Ecodesign stoves have to take into account emissions, resource efficiency, and the reduction of waste. These stoves are among the greenest and most environmentally friendly stoves on the market.
Another way to make your stove green is to substitute the grates with ceramic. Ceramic is not only visually appealing, but also non-smoking and helps to reduce sulphur oxide in the air. Ceramic grates also have a longer life time and are more easy to clean than steel inserts for grates.
While you may still relax in a cosy wood burner or multi fuel stove in a Smoke Control Area it is crucial to only use Defra approved fuels. You could be breaking the law if you do not. Only use approved fuels by Defra, such as anthracite manufactured round in your stove.
Clean Burning
Multi fuel stoves that are approved by Defra can only be used in areas that are smoke-controlled in the event that they burn only smokeless fuel. This can be a type of naturally occurring or
recommended DEFRA stoves manufactured smokeless log or anthracite and it must conform to specific regulations to meet the criteria for an Defra approved wood burning stove. Stove makers must also comply with the regulations in order to make a DEFRA exempt wood burner available for sale. Here at The Stove Yard we have an incredible selection of DEFRA approved wood burning stoves as well as multi fuel stoves from top brands such as Arada, Parkray, Burley, Stovax and many more.
These stoves that are Defra exempt use the most advanced combustion technology to reduce the amount of tar and emissions in your chimney or flue system. They utilize the latest secondary and tertiary airflow systems to ignite tar gases and particulates before they are released into the atmosphere. This is what makes the Defra approved stove cleaner than older generation stoves that burn wood and open fires.
The design of a Defra approved stove is different. The majority of our range has an internal mechanism that allows for an intermittent flow of air to the flame, even when the vents for air are shut. This prevents soot and ash being blown up the fireplace, which could cause dangerous chimney fires.
The new Defra-approved stoves don't allow you to completely close the vents to let air in and then sleep on the stove for a night that could release part-burned combustibles to the air.
A Recommended DEFRA Stoves (
Vn.Easypanme.com) approved stove also has an extended burn time than non-Defra models, however it's important to note that if you swapped your fuel of choice for smokeless coal and wanted to rest your stove over night then this would shorten the burn time too due to the constant supply of air required for slumbering would reduce the combustion of the smokeless fuel.
Reduced Emissions
When used properly the DEFRA exempt stove can create extremely low levels of emissions. These emissions are usually PM2.5 particles that, if inhaled, could cause various health problems, including heart diseases and lung diseases.
The high efficiency of combustion offered by a DEFRA-approved wood burning device reduces the amount of harmful particles and pollutants released during the burning process. This reduces the environmental impact, particularly in urban areas where pollution levels are high.
As well as cutting harmful emissions, the efficiency of a stove decreases the cost of heating your home. If you use a DEFRA-approved wood burning stove in place of a gas boiler, you can lower your carbon footprint as well as save money on your energy bills.
If you live in a zone where smoke is controlled, it's vital that your stove is DEFRA-approved (or Smoke Exempt) since this permits you to burn Defra Approved fuels like manufactured smokeless ovals such as Anthracite or Homefire as well dried wood and other fuels that are authorised. This allows you to relax in your fireplace and not worry about the nuisance smoke that could disturb your neighbors.
Many stoves, in addition to being DEFRA-approved, are tested to meet clearSkies standards and are able to be identified with the clearSkies label. The clearSkies scheme is an independent scheme which requires stove manufacturers display information on the efficiency and emissions of their appliances to help consumers make an informed decision. The information must include the stove's efficiency rating, emissions, and the type and size.
It is important to remember that, just like Ecodesign, clearSkies regulations represent minimum standards. Manufacturers can go above and over these. ESSE, for example has designed its latest stoves to be more efficient and less polluting with less particles, without sacrificing performance or control. This latest innovation utilizes twin catalytic technology that burns off any smoke particles it produces drastically reducing their impact on the atmosphere.
If you live in a smoke-free zone and
Recommended Defra Stoves are using a DEFRA Approved Stove with a high-quality, kiln-dried or seasoned log, you'll get the same amount of heat, or even more than that, from the same amount of dry wood than if it were burned in a non DEFRA Approved Stove. In fact, it could be as much as 24 percent less expensive to heat your home using a an newest DEFRA Approved stove than with the traditional gas boiler.
In compliance with Building Regulations
If you reside in an area under smoke control, it's important to use a multi-fuel stove that is approved by DEFRA. These stoves have been tested to ensure they do not emit smoke when burning approved fuel. Therefore, you can use them in areas with a significant amount of buildings. At Choice Stoves, we supply and install a variety of
DEFRA stoves benefits approved log burners from the top brands including Mi-fires, Contura, Stovax, ACR, Broseley, Tiger, Cast Tec and more.
A DEFRA approved multi fuel stove can allow you to burn wood, peat and other solid fuels safely. It is crucial to be aware that certain fuels cannot be used in Smoke Control Areas.
To ensure that a multi-fuel stove can perform safely, it's essential that you have the right ventilation. This will reduce the formation of carbon monoxide within your home.