You may have heard that dirty ducts can negatively impact indoor air quality. Dirt, skin cells, mildew, and more can get clogged in your air ducts, particularly if you don’t have them cleaned regularly. Your carpets may also impact air quality. Some carpets may have so much dirt and bacteria in them that they may be getting released into the air as you and your family walk around the house. Thus, causing more problems with your air quality.
Did you know that something else is seemingly harmless that could be harming your indoor air quality? Candles. Yes. The great smelling items that you use during holidays or to help you relax are affecting your air quality and possibly causing a buildup in your air ducts. Keep reading to learn more about how candles may be affecting air quality in your home.
Good Candles, Bad Candles
You may love to purchase candles because you can’t get enough of the alluring aromas they give off that make your house smell like roses, pines, flowers, or apple pie. They are a great way to freshen the air in the home or create a relaxing environment. However, not all candles are created equally.
Some candles may give off toxic carcinogens that not only are harming your indoor air quality but are creating buildup in your air ducts.
Candles made of paraffin wax are a type of wax made from petroleum. When they are burned, they release volatile compounds (VOCs). VOCs are typically responsible for causing respiratory irritation, headaches, and nausea. While VOCs from a candle may not be damaging after a few burns, using them may cause health problems over the long term. If you want to use safer candles, experts recommend beeswax, soy, or other plant-based candles. It is also better to use wood wicks because they are less likely to give off harmful toxins than other wicks.
How Candles Contaminate the Air Ducts
Candles may be creating harmful air quality in your home, but they also may be causing problems with your air ducts. When candles burn, they give off a powdery black substance called soot. As candles burn, the oils released from them don’t entirely evaporate. Instead, it enters the air and turns into soot. If your windows are closed, the soot goes into the HVAC system and collects every time you burn candles.
Over time, this soot and even small amounts of wax can accumulate in your vents and start to minimize the effectiveness of your HVAC system. If you burn candles regularly, you will need to change your filters often because they will collect a large amount of waxy substance and soot quickly. Dirty, waxy filters make airflow difficult, which can cause HVACs to work harder, eventually damaging the motor over time. To repair problems with your HVAC system may cost you a few hundred dollars. However, if the damage is extensive and you need to replace your HVAC, it could cost you several thousand dollars.
How Air Duct Cleaning Improves Your Overall Air Quality
It is recommended that you get your HVAC system inspected once a year. However, if you use candles, you may want to have your vents checked more often. While a technician can’t tell you not to burn candles in your home, they will advise you of the dangers related to your air quality and the problems it creates for your HVAC system.
It may be a good idea to cut back on your use of candles or at least burn candles that don’t give off as many byproducts as traditional paraffin candles. After inspecting your HVAC system, a technician will replace filters and may even recommend that you have your vents and ducts cleaned.
Do you regularly burn candles in your home and suspect that your HVAC system may be clogged with wax and soot? Then, it is a good idea to establish regular inspections with a professional duct cleaning company to have your vents and ducts checked. This will ensure that you and your family’s air quality is optimal and that you aren’t breathing in carcinogens or contaminants.
Unique Air Duct Cleaning in Livonia are experts in the industry and has the specific knowledge, qualifications, and experience to ensure that the air ducts in your home are properly cleaned. If you frequently burn candles, you and your home will benefit from the use of our Viper Air Whip Duct Cleaning System, the most advanced air duct cleaning system available. It cleans in one pass making the process more efficient and thorough removing all traces of soot, dirt, dust and more.
Keep air impurities such as the ones produced by candles in your home at bay by scheduling regular air duct cleaning services as well as dryer vent cleaning services. Breathing clean air in your home really makes a difference. Call for a Free Estimate today and see!