Some simple things you can do to improve your indoor air quality

Indoor air pollution is one risk that you can help minimise with some very simple actions...

Essentially, you need to avoid spillage – this is when smoke inadvertently enters your room. Assuming your stove has been installed according to Building Regulations, these simple steps should help you to maintain good indoor air quality. NB Never operate your stove if smoke continues to spill into the room – seek immediate advice from your Hetas or OFTEC installer.

• Always operate your stove according to the manufacturer's instructions
• Never operate the stove with the door open other than when refuelling
• Always use the correct fuels eg seasoned wood or smokeless coal
• Never burn wet wood or household refuse
• Avoid starving the fuel load of combustion air so that the fuel smokes
• Maximise the combustion air supply before you open the door to refuel
• Open the stove door very slightly, then pause before gently opening it fully
• Always reload fuel on to a bed of burning embers and do this as quickly as possible
• Avoid refuelling on to partially burning logs – they must be embers
• Never not overload or over-fire your stove

Your Home    

Well ventilated clean homes are generally healthier, but most of us can always do a little more. Here's a few tips...

• If you live in an old house check that the air bricks have not been blocked over time – especially outside
• Use background ventilation such as trickle vents to ensure your room is properly ventilated (even in Winter)
• Regularly open your room windows to change the room air (avoid peak traffic times and high pollen days)
• Where you can, wipe dust away with a damp cloth. Dry dusting alone, tends to redistribute some of the dust.
• Vacuum regularly and ensure the room is ventilated when doing this
• Avoid clutter as this collects dust and is difficult and time-consuming to clean
• If you have a cooker fan hood or kitchen extractor fan always use it when cooking
• Avoid smoking indoors
• Limit your use of candles or avoid altogether as they are a serious offender
• Don't mask odours with aerosol air fresheners – eliminate the source
• Invest in an air purifier if you're seriously concerned about your indoor air quality