The need to adapt to and mitigate climate and economic change has led to a sense of urgency in developing policies influencing housing. But the links between housing, energy use and human wellbeing are complex. This makes policy decisions difficult. Decision-makers need to balance objectives and consider a wide range of outcomes over time.
Houses can have important impacts on our own lives, families and of the population as a whole. A wide range of different effects on wellbeing are possible, including impacts on physical and mental health, culture, social wellbeing and fairness, economic wellbeing and environmental sustainability. Effects can be positive or negative and are also inter-related. For example, reducing drafts in houses can make them warmer and more energy efficient, but may increase the risk of infection and exposure to indoor air pollution.
In altering dwellings to reduce carbon emissions as a single focus and adapt to expected changes in climate, there is tremendous potential for getting things very wrong by ignoring other objectives of housing. It is essential that while tackling the problem of climate change, other problems are not created, for health and wellbeing; the buildings and their contents; and the economic, social and cultural viability of communities.
Dear Clive
I agree with you; specially in the case if Iran where housing means both residential and commercial sector as the housewives cook, wash the cloths, Ironing, etc on daily basis. We occasionally dine outside the house! Thus, spending much of the time within the home and hence energy saving measures should not lead to accumulation of any hazardous substances (such as radon) as a result of restrict ventilation or other factors. The best way is to increase the efficiency of home appliances. Also utilization of solar panels may be helpful in this direction. On the other side, we use natural gas for cooking in the house and therefore accumulation of NOx is probable.
Yes, this is true. One of the issues in the UK (with our very different climate to Iran is that in order to prevent ventilation heat loss and thereby improve energy efficiency we are making the buildings more air tight. Whilst this generally reduces the ingress of external pollutants, it increases the concentrations of internal sourced pollutants. As you mention radon we have published a paper on just that issue. You can find it on my page if it is of interest.
Home energy efficiency and radon related risk of lung cancer: modelling study.
If you can read french, please have a look to the enclosed book.
Best
Book Habitat : pour une transition énergétique ambitieuse
Dear Clive,
Temperature increase, air conditioningincreasing energy consumption, greater possibilities to purchase the equipment and consequent wellbeing, a vicious circle.
In tropical countries, greater warmth, reduction in rainfall problems in the supply of water and energy production by hydropower, another vicious circle.
Maybe, the links will help:
http://www.who.int/hia/hgebrief_henergy.pdf
http://www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/iede/research/project-directory/projects/housing-energy-wellbeing
https://publications.csiro.au/rpr/download?pid=csiro:EP092302&dsid=DS3
Regards,
Vanessa
Hi Vanessa,
the second link to the Bartlett is actually the project I am working on :)
Thanks you for your comments
Best wishes
Clive
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