The discovery of fire represents a crucial point in the evolution of mankind and our survival as a species. In a way, it’s been our oldest ally and protector, providing us with heat, light and a means of cooking food. Primitive though it may be, fire has proven to be so indispensable that throughout history we’ve continually refined and developed technology to make controlling it easier and more predictable. We may no longer be using sunken hearths in our Iron Age huts but the concept of a home-fire still appeals to a broad audience looking for a modern equivalent. Multi fuel stoves provide just the answer and allow us to bring this time-honoured heating method into every home.
Stoves create a stunning visual display that no other heating method can match – the soothing glow and the everchanging leap and dance of the flames has kept people by the fire for thousands of years. Nobody ever huddled around their radiator at home and sighed at how beautiful it was! As well as providing a striking room feature, stoves are also incredibly practical when it comes to home heating. They provide exceptional heat output and are much more efficient compared to older model stoves or open fires. While they may not get a complete 100% conversion of fuel into heat, they get quite close and some even reach over 80% efficiency.
One of the primary draws of stoves is the freedom they provide from energy suppliers – no more confusing tariffs or constantly trying to find the right deal to avoid price hikes. While conventional gas and electric offer the convenience of an instant heat source, many find that stoves work out as a more economical option due to their lower running costs, if you can source fuel cheaply. Another large plus point for multi fuel stoves is that they give you the option of using either wood or coal as your main fuel source. The two fuels burn very differently – coal burns from the bottom and wood from the top – but multi fuel stoves are designed with multiple air inlets to complement each fuel type.
When looking for a multi fuel stove, one of the first considerations you need to make is whether you need a standard stove or a DEFRA approved stove which will allow you to burn wood in a Smoke Control Area. At Heatingpoint, we provide a large range of standard and DEFRA approved stoves but if you need further information about the difference between them, read on:
DEFRA Approved Stoves
You may have heard of the Clean Air Act, which was originally created in response to London’s Great Smog in the 1950’s. The act implemented measures to cut pollution in densely populated urban areas due to the amount of sickness and fatalities caused by the smoke. To help reduce the amount of pollution being released into the atmosphere, this act implemented Smoke Control Areas in towns and cities. Even today, Smoke Control Areas are still in force across the UK, and in these locations only approved smokeless fuels can be burnt.
A DEFRA Approved stove will allow homes in Smoke Control Areas to burn wood and other approved smokeless fuels safely and in accordance with the law. Though they’re commonly known as ‘DEFRA Approved’ stoves, they’re more accurately named as ‘DEFRA Exempt Appliances’. A DEFRA exempt stove will have been tested against emissions criteria set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and ensures that the appliance is clean burning. Other names for these appliances are ‘cleanburn’ stoves or ‘SE’ (smoke exempt) stoves, though be wary of websites that promote their stoves as ‘cleanburn’ without stating that the appliance is DEFRA exempt! Some disreputable companies try this lie of omission to compete with genuine DEFRA approved stoves, but don’t be taken in by it. Burning wood in a non-DEFRA stove could land you with a hefty £1000 fine if you live in a Smoke Control Area. All of the DEFRA exempt stoves we provide on Heatingpoint are clearly labelled on individual product pages and come from reputable suppliers within the industry.
The difference between a DEFRA stove and a standard multi fuel stove all relates to how their air vents are controlled. The vents on a DEFRA stove can’t be fully closed down and will always allow a supply of air into the firebox. This increased level of oxygen ensures the clean burning of wood and prevents the build-up of smoke and noxious gases that arise from inefficient combustion. As they give off less tar and fumes, you’ll also find that they produce a reduced amount of soot that can clog up chimneys, which makes a nice bonus feature.
If you’re unsure as to whether you live in a Smoke Control Area, you can check with your local council online or by contacting them directly. Many people decide to purchase DEFRA approved stoves just to be on the safe side but also because they’re more efficient and environmentally friendly. It’s easy to think that by purchasing a stove for a Smoke Control Area, you may be somehow purchasing a neutered or toned-down version, but in reality, there’s barely any difference between a DEFRA approved and a standard stove. Both offer a fantastic breadth of style and sizes to suit homes and interior design schemes of any kind.
Our range of clean-burning DEFRA approved stoves range from 5kW outputs ideal for average sized rooms, to larger 8kW models for areas that require more heat. We provide classic cast-iron stoves to give your installation a traditional, welcoming feel; as well as steel stoves, which offer a series of more contemporary, sleek designs for the modern home. Prices for our DEFRA approved stoves begin from £425.99.
Standard Multi Fuel Stoves
Rural areas are much less likely to fall into Smoke Control Areas and in these instances, you’ve got the freedom to choose between a DEFRA or a standard multi fuel stove. Non-DEFRA stoves tend to be cheaper overall, but their main benefit is that they provide full control over the air vents.
As DEFRA approved stoves can’t be fully closed down to ensure a constant supply of air, it also means that any fuel in the stove will always burn up more quickly. Standard stoves with greater air control can be closed to provide a minimal supply of air, allowing wood inside to ‘slumber burn’ over a long period of time. This slow burn method means that standard multi fuel stoves can be used to warm your house overnight – something DEFRA approved stoves will struggle to achieve. However, with greater control comes greater responsibility! Closing down the vents means that fuel will burn less efficiently and produce more waste products which will eventually clog up your chimney. A standard stove gives you more room to choose the length of your burn, but you also have to be mindful of the long-term effects this may have on your system.
Standard multi fuel stoves are just as varied as their DEFRA approved equivalents and can be purchased in a range of outputs depending on your room size. Use our handy stove calculator to find a wattage output suitable for your space. Heatingpoint’s range of multi fuel stoves spans small 5kW models, all the way to 13kW models for large family rooms or commercial spaces. If you’re looking for something a little more unusual, be sure to take a look at our exquisite twin door stoves that give any living space an impression of elegance and grandeur. Our lowest priced non-DEFRA approved stove is £429.99.
Stove Accessories – Essentials for any System
Stove accessories are never far away from the hearthside and a stove installation without them will always look curiously empty. When you think of stoves, you think of tongs and pokers, log stores and baskets, so it’s common sense to kit your system out with the same tools. Outfitting your stove with the right accessories isn’t just practical, it’s also a great opportunity for you to customise its look in a way that reflects your personality.
Companion sets are perhaps the most well-known of all the stove accoutrements. They provide all of the most commonly used tools to help maintain your fire such as a dustpan and brush, tongs and a poker. All of the tools are kept neatly arranged on a stand and allows them to serve as a pretty ornamental piece next to your stove, as well as a practical arrangement. Our lowest price companion set is priced at £29.99.
Log stores are another key aspect to any stove installation and it’s rare to see a hearth without one nearby. Styles of log store are incredibly diverse and include beautiful woven baskets, quaint painted buckets, open log trays and even stores that can be incorporated beneath the stove itself. Whether you’re looking for something cosy and traditional, or modern and imposing, we’ve got fuel storage solutions to suit all installation types.
Stove guards are a vital addition to any system and will provide extra protection against stray sparks and contact with hot surfaces. Particularly useful for families with young children or pets, nursery guards can be used to effectively fence off the stove to prevent against burns and accidents. Stove guards are available from £49.99.
Heatingpoint also stocks a range of kindling and sundry goods to help you get started straight away with your new stove. We provide firelighters, kiln dried logs and even a stove thermometer which will helps you establish your stove’s ‘sweet spot’ for efficiency.
Shop Today
Stoves are a very different heating method compared to many other conventional types, so if you need any advice choosing a model that’s the right size and type for your home, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our sales team. We’re always on hand to offer guidance for your home heating project and answer any queries. If you want to learn more about multi fuel stoves, take a look at our fantastic in-depth buying guide which covers many frequently asked questions. HETAS also provide invaluable information for first time stove users on their website and can also locate a registered installer in your area. Give Heatingpoint a call on 0330 880 7008 for a free, no obligation quote.