Defra Exempt Multi Fuel Stoves
There is a great range of defra exempt multi-fuel stoves to suit any home. Defra approved appliances comply with the regulations of the government, and are designed to maximize efficient combustion and low emissions.
This is particularly important if you reside in a smoke-control area. But even if do not, it is still advisable to have a Defra stove is safer for your chimney and neighbours.
Defra Approved
You may have noticed that on our website, several wood burning stoves are described as DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. These terms might seem like jargon to the typical homeowner, but they are not.
DEFRA stands for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and they handle regulations and policies in relation to the environment, agriculture and food. Defra approved products have been subjected to rigorous testing to ensure they meet the strict guidelines set by the government for smoke emissions during operation. The stoves are designed to burn fuels like coal and wood more efficiently. This means they emit less pollutants.
This is a good thing for those living in a Smoke Control Area because the law currently bans the release of smoke in these areas unless using a DEFRA approved stove and a fuel that is authorised. In the past, it was possible to install a non Defra approved wood stove in a Smoke Control Area, as long as you used only authorised fuels. However, as of January 2022 the laws are changing and stoves that are not approved are not allowed to be used unless they have been fitted with secondary or tertiary combustion system which can drastically reduce the production of particulate matter NOx, carbon dioxide and organic gaseous compounds.
Our Defra approved ranges are equipped with a mechanism that prevents you from closing down the top air vent completely. This could result in the fire to ignite and release smoke into your home. These stoves feature an adjustable air feed that allows you to open the top vent a bit and still keep an efficient, safe burn.
A stove that is Defra-approved can be fitted with a 5-inch chimney liner. This is important since there are a variety of building regulations which state that you need an elongated chimney with at least a 5-inch diameter.
Smoke Control Areas
If you live in a smoke-control zone you'll need a DEFRA-approved stove to use wood legally within your home. click here. has tested these stoves to confirm that they meet the strict standards for smoke emissions in smoke control zones. You can see the list of areas in which you will require a Defra approved stove on the Defra website.
Multifuel stoves and stoves exempt from Defra
A Defra approved wood stove, also known as a DEFRA Multi Fuel or Wood Burning Stove that has passed a strict test designed by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs. The UK government agency is responsible for ensuring the protection of our natural environment, promoting the food and farming industries, and maintaining a thriving rural economic. The tests that Defra approved stoves must pass are designed to ensure that the stove produces low levels of grit and smoke when it is in operation.
Many of the Defra Exempt stoves we stock at Stove Supermarket are multi fuel stoves that allow you to burn authorised smokeless fuels, as well as seasoned wood. They are often called Defra stoves or Defra approved woodburners and they are often abbreviated as SE.
Contrary to older stoves, which are often unsuitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, the latest Defra multi-fuel and woodburning stoves come with 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 can also reduce the amount of smoke that can be produced.
If you live or plan to move into an area that is a Smoke Control Area then a stove that is Defra-exempt will be an excellent choice for you. It is not only more sustainable, but it can also help minimise the nuisance smoke that could upset your neighbours.
You can still enjoy an open fire, barbecues and a pizza oven in your garden. However, excessive or toxic smoke can be considered a nuisance and you could be fined. In an area designated as a Smoke Control Area it is not permitted to use open flames or stoves for burning damp, rotten, or wet wood or any other fuels.
Burning Other Fuels
Defra Approved stoves are engineered to burn a wide range of fuels including wood. They burn wood with such efficiency that they are in compliance with the strict regulations of the government regarding emissions in smoke control areas. They can be used in any smoke-control area, as long as they are burning approved fuels such as logs, briquettes and pellets. Stoves that are Defra Approved will often be denoted with an 'SE' logo that stands for Smoke Exempt.
A Defra-approved stove is different from a conventional multifuel stove because it has secondary air vents that heat air before it enters into the firebox. The pre-heated air helps ensure that the entire fuel is ignited and burned, which results in more efficient combustion. It also prevents the build-up of soot in the chimney and keeps it from becoming blocked. Defra stoves also come with internal baffle plates that help to control the flames and maintain an evenly distributed heat distribution.
Defra could impose heavy penalties for anyone who is using a non-Defra approved appliance in areas with smoke control. If you wish to avoid being charged by Defra make sure you use a DEFRA approved stove that has been tested in accordance with the guidelines of the government.
DEFRA stoves are also known as Clean Burn stoves. They can be used with all kinds of fuel, but are ideally suited for dry wood, both soft and hard. The air vents aren't closed completely, meaning there is always oxygen available to ensure clean combustion.
This technology is not just compliant with the current air quality standards but also the upcoming Ecodesign requirements which will come in 2022. Stovax wood-burning and multifuel stoves will be marked with the SIA Ecodesign Ready label, which confirms they meet the new standards for emission. These new standards are part of the government’s continuous efforts to ensure that the air in the country healthy and clean.
Installation
If you are in a zone of smoke control 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 independently tested to ensure they comply with the strict standards of smoke emissions that are required in a Smoke Control Area. These appliances can be used to burn wood or other authorized fuels, such as coal, without concern about the amount of smoke they generate.
Stoves that are DEFRA approved can reduce smoke levels using advanced combustion technology that produces less smokiness. They usually employ the second stage of combustion, which re-burns some of the waste products that were discarded from the initial stage, making them less polluting and more efficient. In addition to reducing emissions they also reduce the amount of soot that accumulates in the chimney and flue.
This is great news especially if you reside in a smoke-free area since it means you can enjoy a real fire more often and longer, with the additional benefit of lower energy bills. As a result of the reduced levels of pollution, these kinds of wood-burning and multi fuel stoves are beneficial to the environment since they can be used to burn a wider range of materials than other stoves.
Most stoves can be transformed into DEFRA exempt with an easy manufacturer-supplied kit. This kit changes the air vents of the stove to ensure that they are not closed at night. This is referred to as slumbering and it allows part-burned combustibles that would otherwise block the flue to escape into the atmosphere. DEFRA approved stoves do not sleep and are, therefore, more eco-friendly and less likely to block a chimney.
To get the most benefit of your DEFRA approved stove it is recommended you have it professionally installed by a HETAS Registered Installer or by an Building Control Officer. This will give you peace of mind that the installation was completed to the correct specifications and complies with the latest regulations. Additionally, it will also guarantee your warranty as the installer will be able to self-certify their work.