Blueair is a leader in air purification with a mission to promote the importance of clean air to the health and wellbeing of people, especially children, and we welcome a new report by scientists at the University of Sheffield which highlights the dangers of using log fires and wood burners in unventilated spaces[1].

With 25 years of expertise in indoor air quality, we at Blueair know all too well the long-term health implications of indoor air pollution at home – so taking steps to improve indoor air quality is vital, particularly if your home has an open fire or wood-burner.

Experts at Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation are asking people with wood burners only to use them “if they have no alternative source of heat”. In this article, we will give you our top tips to improve indoor air quality this winter, whether you have a wood burner or not:

10 tips to improve indoor air quality this winter

• Open windows regularly – your indoor air is on average five times more polluted than the outside air and natural ventilation is the best way to improve indoor air quality.
• Avoid scented candles and incense – toxins from paraffin candles are the same as those in diesel fumes.
• Avoid log burners and open fires in as far as possible – particularly if you have small children.
• Vacuum frequently and regularly wash bedding and other textiles to reduce common allergens such as dust and mites.
• Reduce or remove carpets; they trap unhealthy particles such as dirt, fungi and dust mites.
• Avoid unnecessary chemicals – use natural cleaning products instead.
• Cut down on the use of perfume and hair spray.
• Don’t smoke indoors.
• Invest in plants – according to NASA, English ivy and Peace lily best eliminate household pollutants.
• Put an air purifier in the rooms where you spend most of your time, particularly if you use wood burners.

Always select a brand with a high CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) and high filtration performance. For example, our our air purifiers can remove 99.97% of airborne pollutants. It is also essential to opt for a carbon filter in addition to a particle filter for homes with wood burners as this will trap and remove smoke particles.

The recent study by the University of Sheffield revealed that ‘wood burners triple the level of harmful pollution particles inside homes’ and that they ‘should be sold with a health warning’ and ‘should not be used around elderly people or children’. Around 1.5 million UK households have wood burning stoves, with 200,000 thousand sold every year.

But can an air purifier really make a difference?

Yes! Sara Alsen, former Chief Purpose Officer, Blueair explains “Tiny particles from wood-burners and open fires permeate into the room. This fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is so tiny it can penetrate the lungs, move into the bloodstream, and cause respiratory difficulties, heart & lung problems and a host of other diseases. Our air purifiers can remove 99.97% of these particles quietly and efficiently thanks to our proprietary HEPASilent™ technology and uniquely designed SmokeStop and Carbon filters.”

Blueair is proud that its air purifiers rank amongst the best in the world for improving indoor air pollution, at home and in the workplace. With a high CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate), Blueair air purifiers quietly and efficient clean ALL* the air in a room once every 12 minutes.

Using air purifiers can help reduce exposure to common household pollutants like cooking odours, dust, scented candles and chemicals from cleaning agents. A high-performing air purifier will also remove bacteria and viruses from the air reducing the risk of coughs and colds.

Blueair air purifiers start from £135 for the Blue Pure 411 which is perfect for bedrooms, nurseries, and home offices up to 15m2. The multi award-winning Blueair Classic 405 (from £529) is suitable for larger rooms up to 40m2. The Classic is Wi-Fi compatible and works with the Blueair app, allowing you to control and monitor the indoor air quality at home from your phone. It also has a user-friendly touch display with clear LED icons. Larger models are also available for bigger spaces.

For help and advice on how to improve indoor air quality, contact us.

*It is important to choose the right model of air purifier for the size of the room.

1. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/11/12/1326

2.https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/01/avoid-using-wood-burning-stoves-if-possible-warn-health-experts