Reprinted from Home Energy Magazine Online January/February 1998 by Frank Vigil
This Little Light of Mine
Candles aren't the only source of soot production. But in the majority of cases investigated by
several building scientists and energy specialists, candles were somehow related to the
appearance of stains.
Rick Graham and Craig Carter of Air-Right Energy Design in Catharpin, Virginia, say that they
have seen an alarming rise in soot-staining complaints over the last two years. "The complaints
are generally the same, with black markings on carpets and baseboards, and black particulate
dusting on kitchen appliances and television screens," Graham says. "We also find particulate
on HVAC filters and supply registers and have even found the stuff in freezers." Graham says
that in the majority of homes he's investigated, candles were the main source of sooting. "In
comparing information from all of the houses tested and performing our own tests, we found
scented candles, jar candles, and oil candles appear to emit a higher soot output than standard
wax candles," Graham says.
Ron Bailey, an engineer and owner of Bailey Engineering Corporation (BEC) in Palm Beach
Gardens, Florida, has had similar experience. Once an engineering design firm, BEC found an
increasing demand for forensic engineering--figuring out why buildings are failing. Many of
these cases involved soot problems, and Bailey soon began focusing on candle usage. He built a
small test lab in his facility to study the various candle types and how well they burned. "My
mother used to burn candles; why is it just now that problems are showing up?" Bailey says. "In
the last five years, the candle industry has doubled. Where candle making once used to be an art
form, it is now simply mass marketing. We suspect that the use of lower-grade waxes and
materials is resulting in a higher oil content, which produces more soot when burned."
Bailey's tests include burning different candles in small chambers while passing air through the
box and through a filter. To compare the amount of soot production with the length of time
candles are burning in a house, Bailey uses the term "candle hours." One candle burning for one
hour is one candle hour. Five candles burning for one hour is five candle hours.
"We have a builder client who's experienced a number of soot-related complaints," says Bailey.
"He offered us use of one of his model homes to conduct some tests in. We burned four candles
for a total of 15 hours (60 candle hours), which produced enough soot in the house that we were
forced to stop for fear of creating too much damage in the house. We had significant soot
production on the walls, drapes, dishwasher, refrigerator, and AC filter."
Bailey explains that there are two issues to consider when looking at how a candle might soot.
"The length, thickness, and strength of the wick highly influence how a candle burns," Bailey
says, "and also what is in the candle wax itself." Today, there is a growing trend in the use of
aromatic candles. Fragrances added to the wax should be made specifically for that purpose.
High temperatures can cause different chemicals to behave differently once burned. "Five
percent paraffin wax is good," says Bailey. "But with many of the candles in stores today, we
find a mixture of materials, including some fragrances that were not intended for this use." The
mixture of the various fragrances and chemicals can result in a candle that is going to burn
dirtier than expected
.
Wise buyers should attempt to find out what type of candle they are purchasing and what
quality of wax the candle is made of. Obviously, this is not an easy task. At the very least, then,
buyers should keep an eye out for any soot stains. They can place a new candle near the TV
(turned on). After a few candle hours, users can wipe the screen with a clean, white tissue. They
can repeat this test periodically. If soot problems become apparent, users should stop using
those candles immediately.
Natural Vegetable Soy wax candles will continue to grow in popularity as
consumers learn more about the dangers and contaminants of Paraffin candles
that pervade their homes. Try one – you’ll LOVE it!