With the return of cold weather and increases in energy prices, a tip allowing you to heat yourself at a lower cost with candles is enjoying growing success on social networks.
When winter sets in, the days become shorter, the sun is rarer, and temperatures drop suddenly. Sometimes we can even receive a surprise visit from Lady Snow. So, obviously, you have to turn up the heating a little so as not to end up freezing! The problem is that electricity prices have risen at breakneck speed in recent years, seeing an increase of more than 25% in 2023! Even if this increase begins to subside, we all remain very worried about our electricity bills, which are turning out to be steep.
Obviously, while wallets are being put to the test, everyone is looking to save money, and that involves the way they heat themselves! While some rely on additional throws or well-padded slippers, others turn to more surprising alternatives. This is how a DIY trend is emerging: the use of tea lights and terracotta pots to create artisanal additional heating.
The idea is attractive in its simplicity, since all it takes is a few candles placed under an upturned terracotta pot, which nevertheless allows a little air to pass through. This device acts like a mini radiator: the heat produced by the candles is trapped and intensified by the pot, which diffuses gentle heat in the room. According to claims, this system would save up to 2 degrees in a small room, while consuming very little energy.
At a cost of a few cents per candle, this system seems to be an ideal solution for small spaces or for occasionally warming a room. Fans also appreciate its warm and aesthetic appearance, bringing a cocooning atmosphere to long winter evenings. But be careful, this idea, although clever, divides opinions and requires some precautions.
Indeed, before adopting this method, it is essential to understand its limits. While this ingenious DIY can increase the ambient temperature by 1 or 2°C in a well-insulated room or, at least, in the space you are in, it cannot compete with a conventional heating system, due to its limited scope.
Worse, this process can be dangerous. First, burning candles releases carbon dioxide, which can pose a ventilation problem in poorly ventilated spaces. Some candles made from paraffin, a byproduct of petroleum processing, can also release harmful fine particles, as well as allergens and pollutants. For greater safety, you should use vegetable wax candles, but then hello the bill!
Finally, we must not neglect the risks of fire. The condensation of the air under the pot means that there is a strong possibility that after a while a drop of water will fall on a candle and cause it to catch fire. We remind you, but you should never leave a candle unattended!
The candle technique can therefore be an occasional addition, to be used with caution, but it in no way replaces a lasting solution such as improving insulation or adopting economical additional heating. Finally, this system makes it possible to obtain thermal comfort rather than trying to improve the ambient heat, by warming the person rather than the room. But be careful to use it with caution and moderation!