Few things make a home feel as welcoming as the gentle glow of holiday candles. Unfortunately, the smoke and soot they produce wreak silent havoc on your air quality.
As wax melts, wicks blacken, and smoke drifts toward your HVAC vents, tiny soot particles spread through your duct system. The residue clings to metal walls and vents, redistributing stale smoke smells everywhere the air flows. Before you know it, that cozy winter pine fragrance becomes an awful burnt odor each time the heat kicks on.
Don’t just put up with poor indoor air—or expensive cleanup bills—this season. Follow these tips to prevent damaging candle residue in your ducts:
- Keep wicks trimmed to 1⁄4 inch to minimize smoke
- Frequently extinguish candles as wicks burn down
- Move any clustered candles away from vents
- Switch to flameless candles near ducts
- Use strong kitchen/bath fans sparingly
If it’s too late and your vents already spew more smoke than holiday charm, call the pros. Air duct cleaning services use commercial equipment and solutions to eliminate odors, residues, and allergens candle smoke leaves behind.
Remember, an ounce of prevention avoids hours of air remediation work later. With a little vigilance about your holiday candle usage, you can prevent toxic buildup in ducts and keep the cozy, welcoming scents you love drifting through your home all season long.