As winter approaches, many seek ways to create a warm and inviting home. The Danish concept of “hygge” evokes images of flickering candles and crackling fireplaces. Yet, these cozy elements often compromise indoor air quality. So, how can one fully embrace this comforting philosophy while maintaining optimal air quality? Read on to discover how.
Hygge, pronounced “hoo-guh,” is a Danish concept rooted in enjoying the simple things in life. While there’s no direct translation in English, hygge is described as a quality of coziness and comfort with a feeling of contentment or wellbeing. If the word sounds like “hug” to you, you’re on the right track; it’s derived from the Norwegian term “hugga,” meaning “to comfort” or “to console.”
Hygge has evolved into a global cultural phenomenon, particularly cherished during the winter months. Although there isn’t a singular approach to embracing hygge, certain household items are commonly linked to crafting a cozy atmosphere at home, such as candles and fireplaces.
The average American household burns around 49 candles per year and 57% of households have some type of fireplace, wood-burning stove or other hearth product in their home.¹,² While candles and fireplaces elevate the ambiance of your space on cold winter nights, there are some precautions to keep in mind.
Air pollution exists inside the home — just as it does outside. Pollutant sources include fuel-burning combustion appliances, tobacco products, building materials and furnishings, household cleaning and personal care products, central heating and cooling systems, and humidification devices, excess moisture and more.
When it comes to candles, gas fireplaces and wood-burning appliances, the pollutants to be aware of are particulate matter (soot and smoke, for example) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In addition to particle pollution, wood smoke contains several air pollutants, including benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).³
Exercising caution while burning candles and using your wood-burning or gas fireplace is key to mitigating indoor air quality issues. Vented wood-burning appliances — when properly installed and used — should generate very little smoke. Likewise, the more efficiently you burn wood (using dry, seasoned wood, for example), the less smoke is created.
Even gas fireplaces can produce dust, soot and other small particulate matter. By maintaining your HVAC system and changing your filter regularly, you can improve air flow during the winter months.
Responsible candle burning should result in little smoke and soot. These guidelines from the National Candle Association provide steps for how to burn a candle safely. Unscented candles produce lower emissions of combustion by-products than candles with fragrance, which generate more VOCs.
Hiring a trained professional every year to inspect, clean and tune-up central heating systems (furnace, flues and chimneys), and properly repair leaks is essential to mitigating pollutants. Blocked, leaking or damaged chimneys and flues release harmful combustion gasses and particles, and even high concentrations of carbon monoxide. Additionally, if a fireplace has no dedicated outdoor air supply, pollutants can be back-drafted from the chimney and sent into the living space.
If you choose to use your fireplace and burn candles this winter, follow the EPA’s wood-burning best practices and these guidelines from the National Candle Association for how to burn a candle safely.
On top of these precautions, remember to regularly change air filters on central heating and cooling systems. We recommend an MPR 1900 (MERV 13) or higher HVAC air filter. If you need help choosing an air filter for your household, visit Find the Right Filter For You. Also, consider using an air purifier with a HEPA filter to capture dust, soot (found in smoke) and small particulates.
To help reduce the air quality concerns that burning candles and fireplaces pose, there are some flameless alternatives that you might consider.
Battery-operated candles offer the appearance of the real thing without fire and smoke. If it’s the scent you’re after, candle warmers are a flameless option that warm the candle wax to release the scent (keep in mind that melted wax emits VOCs).
Most people use their fireplaces primarily for ambiance rather than a source of heat. If this is the case, decorative logs are a fireplace alternative that can be installed in your existing fireplace and — since they burn either natural gas or propane — they produce fewer emissions. LED fireplaces and infrared fireplaces are also an alternative to gas fireplaces.
There’s no place for indoor air pollution when it comes to hygge, especially if the intent is to make a healthy home. Hygge is still possible without introducing elements into your home that can diminish indoor air quality.
1. “Candle Industry Statistics.” Market Data Report. 2024.
2. What’s the Most Beloved Feature in Millions of Home Across America?
3. “Wood Smoke and Your Health.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2024.