How Candles Can Affect Indoor Air Quality

What is your favorite candle scent in the winter? Many favor Bath and Body Works winter candy apple, while others prefer a peppermint scent. While candles can enhance cozy nights on the couch and the overall smell of your home, it is important to be aware of how they can negatively impact your home. In this blog, we will discuss how candles can affect indoor air quality and tips to burn candles safely in your home

Are Candles Affecting My Breathing?

Simply put – Yes, your candles are likely affecting your indoor air quality. When candles are burning, they can release harmful chemicals into the air. Paraffin wax can produce carcinogenic toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde, and soot. For reference, soot is a black powdery substance made of impure carbon particles and has been linked to cause a wide range of negative health effects. Each candle produces different amounts of soot and toxins depending on the type and quality of the wax. Toxins produced by candles can build up in air filters and ventilation systems and spread harmful particles around your home.

Regarding personal health, contaminants produced by candles can lead to heightened asthma, allergy, and respiratory symptoms.

Best Candle Air Quality Practices

No, you do not need to throw away your candles. However, you should take preventative measures to minimize the negative health impact of burning candles in your home. Below we have provided 4 tips to help reduce toxins produced by candles.

• Trim Candle Wicks
• Have A Burning Time Limit
• Increase Ventilation
• Dispose Of Excess Soot Candles

Trim Candles Wicks

Not only does trimming candle wicks decrease flame height, but also helps it burn evenly. Before using your candle, trim the wick ¼ inch before lighting.

Have A Burning Time Limit

Limit burning candles in your home to 1 hour to reduce the amount of toxins released in the air at a time.

Increase Ventilation

Be sure to only place and light candles in rooms with good ventilation. Proper ventilation while burning candles helps dissipate harmful chemicals released.

Dispose Of Excess Soot Candles

Have you ever had a candle that turned the jar black? This is caused by excess soot produced, and it is best for air quality to stop burning and dispose of black candles.

Candle Alternatives

Many use candles for different reasons, but mostly to enjoy the smell produced. There are many paraffin candle alternatives that can release a variety of enjoyable scents. To increase indoor air quality, consider the following candle alternatives:

• Diffuser. Diffusers can add fragrance to rooms by using essential oils.
• Candle Warmer. Candle warmers simply warm candle wax without emitting smoke or harmful toxins.
• Soy or Beeswax Candles. Rather than purchasing paraffin wax candles, consider soy or beeswax. Both options burn cleaner than regular candles.

How To Improve Indoor Air Quality

Before throwing out your candle stash, we can help improve your indoor air quality in South Boston. Below are five tips to keep you breathing easy in your home.

• Indoor Air Quality Testing
• Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance
• Change Air Filters
• Clean Air Vents
• Control Humidity

Indoor Air Quality Testing

Do you know what you are breathing inside your home? To determine the quality of your air and the pollutants floating around, consider air quality testing! A Rogers technician can identify specific allergens harming your health and air quality, which helps decide the next step. Knowing what pollutants are inside your home helps us determine how to improve air quality in Halifax county!

Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance

Heating and cooling maintenance is one of the best ways to maintain good air quality in your home. If there is an underlying issue with your unit, it can affect many aspects. One of our expert technicians can thoroughly inspect your heating and cooling system for malfunctions and take steps to prevent future issues. Preventative maintenance ensures you have a clean and effective system that distributes quality air.

Change Air Filters

Air filters catch pollutants before they enter your home. If air filters are clogged or dirty, the filter pores struggle to catch dust and other allergens. This allows more pollutants to enter your home’s air and can heighten allergy and health symptoms. Maintaining a clean air filter at least every 90 days is an easy and cost effective way to improve air quality.

Clean Air Vents

Dust and debris can build up on your air vents and spread allergens around your home. To cut down on dust and increase air quality, we recommend cleaning your air vents. Remove vent covers and wipe down visible debris. Next, take a vacuum and remove built up dust inside your vents.

Control Humidity

When humidity is high, it is important to maintain levels in your home. High humidity can lower air quality, decrease comfort, and cause mold and mildew growth. Consider a dehumidifier to remove moisture inside your home and keep you breathing easy.

Like most things, candles can be enjoyed without affecting your health if used correctly. For indoor air quality testing in Danville, Clarksville, and surrounding areas, give us a call! We are happy to keep you and other residents in your home healthy and comfortable all season long!