Multi Fuel Stoves - Are They DEFRA Approved?
When looking to purchase a new stove it is crucial to make sure that your selected appliance is compliant with all laws. This includes making sure that your stove is DEFRA approved for use in smoke control zones when burning wood and approved smokeless coal.
These types of stoves are constructed with separate air controls to supply the correct amount of primary and secondary combustion air for both fuels. They also have an grate that can be removed for easy cleaning.
Clean Burn Technology
Multi-fuel stoves can be made with a variety of different materials such as logs. These can include smokeless fuels, anthracite, peat or turf briquettes and more. These materials produce less harmful emissions in general than logs. Therefore, a lot of our multi-fuel stoves come with clean burn technology to reduce the amount of particulate matter that they generate during combustion. The term "clean burn" is also used to refer to other specific technologies that decrease emissions, like pre-heated tertiary air or Ecodesign Ready.
In addition, many of our multi-fuel stoves have an elevated grate that is movable bars or a central riddling grates and an asphan below it, which helps to maintain effective combustion conditions. This ensures that the combustion process produces as little black smoke as possible during operation. DEFRA stoves near me allows the ash to be removed from the bottom of the stove, which may be stored in an asphan below.
If you reside in an area that is a Smoke Control Area, it's important to buy a Defra exempt wood burning or multi fuel stove that is Defra approved. This will allow you to use the stove legally so long as it is only using 'authorised fuels,' according to DEFRA guidelines. The reason is because non-Defra approved stoves are susceptible to slumbering an issue where the combustion system could be deprived of oxygen, and result in the formation of black smoke. Defra approved stoves (or Defra exempt wood burners) have been tested and verified to prevent this slumbering from occurring which gives you peace of mind knowing that your stove will always be efficient and clean when used correctly.
Modern multi-fuel stoves, such as the Stovax Stovax Stockton 3, have a modern design with sleek lines and smooth surfaces that complement any space. They also come in a variety of colors including traditional matte black that offers a timeless look that works well with a wide variety of interior color designs. Other popular choices include neutral grey and creamy finishes as well as striking colors like red or blue that can make an impact in any room.
Defra Approved
Stoves that are DEFRA approved (also called SE or Smoke Exempt) are able to be used in areas of the UK which are designated as smoke-free. This includes a lot of large cities towns and urban areas. If you reside in an area that is governed by DEFRA and use unapproved fuel or wood you could be subject to a fine. Stoves that have been DEFRA approved provide the necessary amount of air to ensure efficient combustion. This means they emit very little or no smoke.
To be awarded the Defra approval stoves are tested for emissions and efficiency. The Defra logo is easily recognized on stoves and manufacturers' websites. Numerous stove manufacturers are upgrading their products by adding secondary and tertiary combustion systems that can help reduce emissions. This makes their stoves more environmentally sustainable and also means that they can be used with a larger variety of fuels.
When buying a new wood burning or multi-fuel stove, you should always be sure to check if it's DEFRA approved. This is especially important if you reside in a smoke-free zone. Even if you can make use of approved smokeless fuels such as anthracite and briquettes however, a stove that isn't approved by DEFRA can still create nuisance smoke, which is in violation of the law.
DEFRA approved stoves will have an adjustment on the top vent that prevents you from closing it completely. This stops you from robbing the stove of oxygen, which will slow down its combustion and cause it to start smoking. The more smouldering that occurs the more smoke is produced and the less efficiently your stove will be burning. You should also only ever use dry seasoned hardwood, and only smokeless fuels that have been approved for use in the DEFRA approved stove. Using damp wood or other fuels that are wet can cause excessive smoke and cause annoyance to neighbours. This is not just illegal, but it can also lead to expensive fines. If you're planning to install a multi-fuel fireplace that's DEFRA-approved, you'll need to engage an engineer to ensure it is in compliance with building regulations.
Smoke Control Areas
The UK's Smoke Control Areas are primarily located in large towns and cities where smoke pollution can be a major source of irritation for the residents. If you live in a region that is which is smoke-free and you are not allowed to burn unapproved fuels on open wood-burning stoves or fires unless the appliance is listed as exempt. Defra approved wood burning stoves and multi-fuel stoves come with the most recent combustion technology, which prevents part-burned combustibles going up your chimney. They are therefore the best choice for smoke-free homes.
DEFRA approval means that your appliance has been tested to ensure it burns all authorised fuels without producing excess smoke. This is accomplished by supplying the right amount of air to the combustion process to ensure that the combustibles remain in an optimum state. Wood burning stoves that have been approved by Defra are better for the environment and less likely to cause chimney blockage.
Defra approved stoves are a great choice for your smoke-free home, as they offer an efficient and safe way to heat your home while ensuring compliance with the government's strict guidelines. We have a selection of wood and multifuel stoves DEFRA approved for areas of smoke control.
A stove that is approved by Defra has a list with exemptions that explains what fuels are allowed to be used in a smoke-control area. This is typically wood (properly seasoned) but it could also include household smokeless fuels such as natural anthracite.
All of our wood-burning stoves approved by Defra and multi-fuel stoves come with a manufacturer's certificate and an user's guide and detailed installation instructions to help you to get your stove operating in a secure manner. It is recommended that you install your fireplace and have it maintained professionally by a HETAS-qualified engineer to ensure that the work is completed in accordance with building regulations.
Dovre offers many accessories for your wood-burning or multi-fuel stove like log baskets, mesh guards and flue liners. For more information on our products, please contact your nearest Dovre retailer.
Energy Efficiency
Multi-fuel stoves are an eco-friendly choice since they can run on multiple fuels. Modern multi-fuel stoves are designed to achieve optimal combustion, which means they can warm your home at a lower cost. They can also be used to add to your central heating system, and can reduce emissions.
Energy-efficient stoves can dramatically cut your heating costs which can help you save money on your energy bills. They use less fuel than traditional wood-burning stoves and are available in a broad range of heat outputs ranging from 5kW to 8kW.
A multi-fuel stove with triple burn technology will help increase its efficiency. The triple burn technology employs three stages to ensure that each bit of fuel is combusted completely, leading to more efficient heating and lower emissions.
Many people prefer multi-fuel stoves because it allows them to be more flexible in terms of fuel choice. This is an excellent feature for people who live in areas with smoke control because it gives them the option to burn both wood or smokeless coal. You should only use fuels that are suggested by the manufacturer of your stove. Don't burn household waste, wood that has been painted or treated.
When you purchase a multi-fuel stove, you should be sure that it is appropriate for your home and that it has the correct flue outlet. It is also important to ensure that the chimney or flue system is in good condition and that there is adequate clearance around it, also known as the distance from combustibles to ensure safe operation.
Multi-fuel stoves come in a variety of styles that will suit any home decor. Some come in vibrant colours like blue or red, and others come with enamel coatings and metallic finishes that can give an industrial, modern design to your home. You can even find stoves that have built-in log stores like the ACR Malvern Log Store or Mendip Woodland Log Store, to make it easier to store your firewood.
Although a multi-fuel stove is more flexible than a wood burning stove you must ensure that it is in compliance with the strict guidelines that are set by DEFRA to prevent the creation of unpleasant smoke. If you have a stove which does not comply with these guidelines, you may be fined. Always follow the guidelines included in the manual of your stove.