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Pay Attention: Watch Out For How Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves Is Taking Over And What You Can Do About It
Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves

There are a range of multi-fuel stoves exempt from the regulations of defra. Defra approved stoves are compliant with government regulations and are engineered to efficiently burn fuel with low emissions.

This is particularly important when you live in a smoke control area. However, even if you don't need to, it is still advisable to have a Defra stove is more beneficial for your chimney and the neighbours.

Defra Approved


You may have noticed on our website that many of our wood burning stoves are categorized as DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. To the average home owner, these terms could appear to be jargon that homeowners don't have to be aware of, but this is not the truth.

DEFRA is the acronym for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and they manage regulations and policies regarding the environment, farming and food. Defra approved products have gone through rigorous testing to ensure that they comply with the government's strict guidelines for smoke emissions when operating. They're also designed to burn authorised fuels such as coal and wood more efficiently, meaning that they emit less pollution.

This is a good thing for those who live in Smoke Control Area since the law currently prohibits smoke emissions in such areas except when using a DEFRA-approved stove with an approved fuel. In the past it was possible to install an non Defra approved wood stove in a Smoke Control Area, as long that you used only authorized fuels. But, as of January 2022, the law is changing and stoves that are not approved are not allowed to be installed unless they've been equipped with secondary or tertiary burning system that can dramatically reduce the 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 completely down, as this could cause the fire to smolder and emit smoke into your room. Instead, their website feature an adjustable air supply that lets you open the top vent just a bit and still maintain a safe and efficient burn.

A stove that is approved by Defra can be equipped with a 5-inch chimney liner. This is important as the majority of building codes require a chimney to have a minimum of 5 inches diameter.

Smoke Control Areas

If you live in a smoke-control zone you'll require a DEFRA-approved stove to burn wood legally within your home. DEFRA has tested these stoves to ensure they meet the strict standards for smoke emissions that are required in smoke control zones. On the Defra site, you will find a list of areas where a stove that is Defra-approved is required.

Multifuel stoves and Defra exempt stoves

A Defra approved wood stove, also referred to as a DEFRA Multi Fuel or Wood Burning Stove is one that has passed a stringent test that was developed by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs. The UK government agency is responsible to protect our natural environment, supporting the food and agriculture industries and ensuring a flourishing rural economic. The tests Defra Approved Stoves must pass are designed to ensure that the appliance produces only minimal amounts of grit and smoke when it is operating.

A lot of the Defra Exempt stoves we stock at Stove Supermarket are multi fuel stoves that will allow you to burn authorised smokeless fuels as well as seasoned wood. These stoves are referred to as Defra stoves, Defra approved wooden burners and are abbreviated SE.

Contrary to older stoves, which are not suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, the latest Defra multi fuel and woodburning stoves feature secondary and tertiary air systems to ensure that the wood is fully burned prior to it leaving the chimney. This is more efficient than simply leaving a log on the fire for a long period of time. It also reduces the amount of nuisance smoke that is produced.

If defra burning mdf reside or plan to move into an area designated as a Smoke Control Area then a Defra-exempt stove will be a great option for you. It's not only more sustainable however, it also helps reduce the nuisance smoke that could cause a disturbance to your neighbors.

You can still enjoy open fires, barbecues, and pizza ovens in your garden but remember that toxic or excessive smoke could be a statutory nuisance and you could be fined. It is also prohibited to use damp, wet or rotting wood or other fuels in an open fire or stove in an area designated as a Smoke Control Area.

Burning Other Fuels

Defra Approved stoves are designed to burn a wide variety of fuels including wood. They burn wood with such efficiency that they comply with the strict regulations of the government for emissions in smoke control zones. You can use them in any smoke-control zone, as long as they are burning approved fuels like pellets, briquettes, and logs. Stoves that have been approved by Defra will often be denoted with an 'SE' symbol that stands for Smoke Exempt.

A stove that is approved by Defra differs from a typical multifuel stove due to its secondary air vents that heat air prior to it entering the firebox. This pre-heated air helps ensure that all the fuel is ignited and burned, resulting in an efficient combustion process. It also helps to reduce the build-up of soot up and stops the chimney from clogging. Defra stoves have internal baffles which help to regulate the flames and ensure a uniform heat distribution.

Stoves that are not approved by DEFRA in smoke controlled areas could result in heavy fines from the UK government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). To avoid being accused of trespassing by Defra you should purchase and make use of a DEFRA approved stove that has been tested to the government's strict criteria.

DEFRA stoves are also referred to as Clean Burn stoves. They are compatible with all kinds of fuel, but they are especially suited to dry hard and soft wood. The air vents aren't closed completely, so there is always oxygen to aid in clean combustion.

This technology is not just compliant with the current standards for air quality of the government as well as with the future Ecodesign standards that will come in place in 2022. Stovax stoves that burn wood and multifuel will be branded with the SIA Ecodesign Ready label, which confirms they meet the new emission standards that are more stringent. These new standards are being introduced as part of the ongoing efforts by the government to keep the country's air healthy and clean.

Installation

If you are in a smoke control area then a Defra exempt multi fuel stove will aid you in observing the rules. This is because these wood burning and multi fuel stoves have been tested independently to ensure 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 concern about the level of smoke they emit.

Stoves that are DEFRA approved can lower smoke levels by using advanced combustion technologies that create less smokiness. They typically employ the second stage of combustion that re-burns some of the waste products from the first stage, making them even cleaner and more efficient. In addition to the reduction in emissions they also reduce the amount of soot that accumulates in the chimney and flue.

This is a great benefit for those who reside in a smoke-free area as it means that you can sit in front of a real fire more often and for longer, with the additional benefit of lower energy bills. These multi-fuel and wood burning stoves are beneficial to the environment as they produce less pollutant. They can also be used to burn more fuel than other stoves.

The majority of stoves can be converted to DEFRA exempt using the simple kit supplied by the manufacturer. This alters the air vents of the stove, preventing them from being closed down at night. This is referred to as slumbering and allows part-burned combustibles that could otherwise block the flue to escape into atmosphere. DEFRA approved stoves don't sleep, and therefore are more eco-friendly and less likely to block a chimney.

To get the most out of your DEFRA approved stove it is recommended you have it professionally installed by a HETAS registered installer or an official from the Building Control Office. This will ensure that the installation was completed to the correct specifications and complies with the most current regulations. It will also help protect your warranty, as the installer can self-certify their work.

Read More: https://www.webwiki.it/www.fireplacesandstove.com/categories/defra-stoves