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Nuisance pellet stove neighbours | What can I do?
With the high price of electricity and gas, sales of pellet stoves have increased. And with lower temperatures, they are often used. Your neighbours may already have one, and you may have already experienced the first inconvenience. In your bedroom or in your living room. Smoke in the house is not just an unpleasant smell, it can also affect your health. Nuisance caused by the neighbour’s pellet stove can drive you to despair. Legally, you have no right to ask them not to use it and ventilating your house only increases the amount of smoke. But don’t worry, with an air purifier you can solve this. We tell you everything you need to know about pellet stove nuisance from neighbours and how to solve it.
Pellet stove smoke nuisance from neighbours
Although not everyone is equally sensitive to the smoke from pellet stoves, inhalation is harmful. What can you do if your neighbours have a pellet stove and it bothers you? Read on and find out more about pellet stove smoke nuisance from neighbours.
Why is breathing smoke unhealthy?
Smoke consists of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles produced by burning wood and other organic materials. The biggest health threat from smoke comes from the fine particles. These microscopic particles can penetrate deep into the lungs. They can cause a variety of health problems, from eye irritations and runny nose to chronic heart and lung diseases. Exposure to particle pollution is even associated with premature death.
Who is at risk?
Some people are at higher risk. It is especially important to pay attention to local air quality reports. These are mainly about:
- People with heart or lung disease, such as heart failure, angina, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema or asthma.
- Older people more susceptible to heart and lung disease than younger people.
- Young children and adolescents, because their respiratory system is still developing. They breathe more air (and air pollution) per kilogram of body weight than adults. And they are more active outdoors and more likely to suffer from asthma.
- People who have diabetes, as they are more likely to have underlying cardiovascular disease.
- When you are pregnant, as there are potential health effects for both you and your growing foetus.
How do you notice that smoke negatively affects your health?
High smoke concentrations can cause a range of symptoms:
- Anyone can suffer from burning eyes, runny nose, coughing, phlegm, wheezing and shortness of breath.
- If you have heart or lung disease, smoke can make symptoms worse.
- People with heart disease may experience chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath or fatigue.
- People with lung disease cannot breathe as deeply or forcefully as usual and may experience symptoms such as coughing, phlegm, chest discomfort, wheezing and shortness of breath.
What can I legally do?
Most neighbours are happy to think with you to help you get less smoke pollution from their pellet stove. But sometimes a conflict with neighbours is so serious that a good conversation is not possible (anymore), no matter how much you want it to be. In such cases, you may choose to file a complaint through the municipality, or through the Owners’ Association (VvE) if you live in a flat.
What can you do yourself against pellet stove smoke nuisance from neighbours?
The best solution is to buy an air purifier. Some air purifiers can help reduce the level of suspended particles indoors, provided they are of the right type and size for the room. Note: Do not use an air filter that generates ozone. It will only cause more pollution in your home. Our air purifiers are ozone-free, hepa-filtered and energy-efficient. For bedrooms or smaller rooms, we recommend the EA30 and for larger rooms the EDC650.
Need advice or more information?
Want an air purifier in your home or need some more information? Then visit our product page or call us on +31 020 646 4028 for no-obligation advice!