How Your HVAC Handles Candle Lovers And Aroma Fans In Seattle

Let’s begin with a fun question: Can loving candles and amazing scents actually upset your HVAC system? 

It sounds dramatic, but the answer is yes, sometimes it can. And in Seattle, where the weather already likes to keep the air damp and a little moody, your heating and cooling system works extra hard to keep things balanced indoors. 

So when candles and aroma products enter the scene, your HVAC becomes the silent referee managing it all.

What Happens When Candles Burn Indoors?

Most candles, especially paraffin candles, release tiny black soot particles while burning. You might not see them floating around, but your HVAC system definitely does. These particles get pulled into the return air vents, and guess where many of them end up? 

Right in the HVAC filter. Have you ever checked your filter after weeks of burning candles? If it’s turning charcoal-black, it’s not auditioning for a goth aesthetic, it’s clogged.

Do Aroma Diffusers Release Particles Too?

Not soot, but they release something else: VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), basically tiny chemical gases that come from scented candles and fragrance oils. 

HVAC filters are good at trapping dust and soot, but gases can linger longer. That’s why some homes keep smelling like vanilla forests, citrus spas, or lavender dream sequences even hours after diffusers or candles are off. 

Not the worst problem for your nose, but your HVAC system has to keep cycling air longer to clear it fully.

So, What Are The Smartest Choices For Candle And Aroma Fans?

Good question. The smartest candle choices are soy, beeswax, or coconut wax candles with cotton or natural wood wicks and essential oils instead of synthetic fragrances. These burn cleaner and produce less soot from entering your HVAC system.

You can also help your HVAC by:

• Burning candles for only a few hours at a time.
• Trimming the wick to 1/4 inch before every use (tiny effort, big difference).
• Opening a window occasionally so soot doesn’t completely carpet your return vents.
• Checking your HVAC filter every month instead of every 3 months, especially during cozy rainy evenings.
• Choosing filters with higher MERV ratings (ideally MERV 13) and getting professional coil + duct cleaning if scents linger longer than your house guests.

Final Words

So, are candles and aromas worth giving up? Absolutely not. But balancing them with smart HVAC habits is worth it. Keep your HVAC system maintained, use cleaner candles, and stay mindful of airflow. 

And if you ever wonder whether your HVAC is done playing referee, call Seatown Electric Plumbing Heating and Air to inspect, maintain, repair, or replace any tired components so your home stays efficient, safe, and comfortable year-round.