What is a Defra Approved Multi Fuel Stove?
A defra-approved multi-fuel stove is one that has passed the Defra test for smoke. They are also known as SE (smoke-exempt) stoves.
The government's Defra department is responsible for implementing rules and regulations pertaining to the environment, farming and rural issues. The Defra Test ensures that you can burn wood, approved smokeless fuels such as Anthracite ovals in a smoke-controlled space without disturbing your neighbours.
Eco-Friendly
Eco-friendly stoves are designed to produce minimal emissions, making use of fuel efficiently, and using sustainable materials. Eco-friendly stoves are usually made to burn wood or a combination with other approved fuels. There are a range of eco-friendly log burners and multi fuel stoves are readily available that range from modern to traditional models. Some eco-friendly stoves make use of dung as an efficient and carbon-negative alternative to wood.
The most important thing you can do to make your stove eco-friendly is to ensure that the fuel is properly seasoned or dried in a kiln. This reduces the moisture content of the wood and allows it to burn more efficiently. It's also a great idea to buy only wood that comes from sustainable forests. When purchasing wood be sure to look for the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' label to verify that it has been dried properly.
The majority of newer stoves are built to meet strict EU EcoDesign standards. These standards require stove makers to design wood-burning stoves keeping energy efficiency and the environment in mind. Ecodesign stoves have to be designed to take into consideration emissions, resource efficiency and waste reduction. They are among the greenest and most environmentally friendly stoves on the market.
Replace the grate on your stove with a ceramic grates. This makes it more sustainable. This material is not only aesthetically pleasing and attractive, but it also comes with the added benefit of not being a smoker and helping to reduce the amount of sulphur dioxide that is released into the air. Ceramic Grease liners also have a longer life duration and are much easier to clean than steel inserts into grates.
In click the next post 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. If you don't have this, you could be in breach of the law and risk a fine from the local council. Only use fuels approved by Defra for example, anthracite manufactured round in your stove.
Clean Burning
A Defra approved multi fuel stove is able to be used in smoke-controlled areas, provided it burns smokeless fuels only. It could be a smokeless log, anthracite or a naturally occurring or manufactured product. Stove makers must also comply with the regulations in order to make an DEFRA exempt wood burner for sale. The Stove Yard has a great selection of DEFRA approved multi-fuel stoves and wood burning stoves by leading brands such as Arada, Parkray and Burley.
These types of Defra exempt stoves feature the most modern combustion technology that is designed to reduce the amount of emissions and tar build-up up in your chimney and flue system. They utilize the latest secondary and tertiary airflow systems to ignite tar gas and particulates before they escape into the atmosphere - this is the reason why a Defra approved stove more eco-friendly than the older generation stoves that burn wood and open fires.
The design of the Defra approved stove is also different Most of our range will have a hidden mechanism inside the stove that allows a small continuous circulation of air into the fire even if the air vents are closed. This prevents soot and ash being sent through the fireplace, which can cause dangerous chimney fires.
The new Defra-approved stoves don't permit you to completely shut the vents to let air in and then sleep on the stove over night that could release part-burned combustibles to the air.
A DEFRA approved stove will also give you a much longer burn time than non-Defra models, although it's worth noting that if you swapped your authorised fuel for smokeless coal and you wanted to rest your stove over night then this could reduce the time to burn due to the constant supply of air needed for slumber burning would curb the combustion of the smokeless fuel.
Emissions Reductions
If used properly, a DEFRA-exempt stove can produce very low levels of emissions. These emissions are usually PM2.5 particles, which can cause a range of health issues, including heart conditions and lung diseases when inhaled.
The high combustion efficiency of a DEFRA approved wood burner decreases the amount of harmful particles and pollutants released during the burning process. This minimizes the impact of the process of burning on the environment.
In addition to cutting harmful emissions The efficiency of a stove decreases the cost of heating your home. Using the DEFRA approved wood burning stove over gas boilers of the conventional variety can help reduce your carbon footprint and save you money on your energy costs.
If you reside in a smoke-free zone, it's important to ensure that your stove is DEFRA Approved or Smoke Exempt because this permits you to burn Defra Approved fuels, such as manufactured smokeless coal ovals, such as Anthracite and Homefire as well as dried wood and other approved solid fuels. This will allow you to enjoy the fireplace without having to worry about whether the smoke could disturb your neighbors.
In addition to being DEFRA Approved Many stoves are tested to clearSkies level requirements and can be marked with the clearSkies label. The clearSkies mark is an independent scheme that requires stove makers to disclose information about their appliances' efficiency and emissions, so that consumers can make an informed decision. The information must include a stove's efficiency rating as well as emissions, along with its size and type.
It is important to remember that, as with Ecodesign the clearSkies guidelines are minimum standards and manufacturers are able to exceed them. ESSE for instance has developed its latest stoves to be more efficient and less polluting and produce less particulates, without compromising on performance or control. This latest advancement utilizes the Twin Catalytic Combustion Technology that recycles all smoke particles, reducing their impact on the atmosphere.
If you live in a smoke-free zone and use a DEFRA Approved Stove with a top-quality, kiln dried or seasoned log you'll get as much heat, or more in the same amount of dry wood than when it was burned in the non DEFRA Approved Stove. It can be up 24 per cent less expensive to heat your home with the latest Defra Approved Stove than gas boiler.
Compliant with Building Regulations
If you reside in an area that is under smoke control, it's important to select a multi-fuel stove that is approved by DEFRA. They have passed tests to ensure that they don't release any smoke when burning approved fuel, so they can be used in areas that are typically filled with buildings. At Choice Stoves, we supply and install a range of DEFRA 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 will allow you to burn peat, wood and other solid fuels in a safe manner. You should be aware that certain fuels are prohibited for use in Smoke Control Areas, so it's essential to familiarise yourself with local guidelines and restrictions.
To ensure that a multi-fuel stove can be safe to use, it is important that you have the right ventilation. This will minimize the accumulation of carbon monoxide within your home. DEFRA approved stoves have a built-in ventilation system that delivers enough air to the combustion process. This ensures your home is always ventilated and safe to use.
DEFRA approved stoves also have a minimum size of 550mm2, which means they can be used in conjunction with a standard dualwall system. Our vast range of flue liners are compatible with DEFRA approved stoves, so you can enhance your fireplace to ensure it is compliant with the most recent emission requirements.
When choosing a DEFRA approved stove look for the 'DEFRA symbol on the packaging or in the information provided by the manufacturer online. This information is also available on numerous reputable retailers' websites and in the store displays.
It's important to hire an expert who is certified when you plan to install a multi-fuel fireplace. This will ensure that the installation is compliant with building codes. Failure to follow the proper guidelines for installation could lead to an expensive fine or damage to your property. We recommend using a HETAS approved installer to handle your stove installation, as they are well-versed in the guidelines of the manufacturer and building regulations.