Abstract
The UK has introduced legislation that requires net-zero greenhouse gas emissions to be achieved by 2050. Improving the energy efficiency of homes is a key objective to help reach this target, and the UK government’s Clean Growth Strategy aims to get many homes up to an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band of C by 2035. The relationship between home energy-efficiency and occupant health and wellbeing remains an area of ongoing research. This paper explores the nexus between home energy efficiency, energy consumption and self-reported health—an indicator of the general health and wellbeing of the population. We focus on Greater London through secondary data analysis. Energy-efficiency ratings and air infiltration rates of dwellings, derived from EPCs, were aggregated and matched to local area self-reported health and energy consumption data obtained from the Greater London Authority’s (GLA) Lower Layer Super Output Area (LSOA) Atlas database. Our regression model indicates that improving the energy efficiency (SAP) rating by 10 points for a typical home may reduce household gas consumption by around 7% (95% CIs: 2%, 14%). Beta regression finds a positive, but not statistically significant association between median SAP rating and the proportion of the population reporting ‘good or very good’ health when considering all Greater London LSOAs (z score = 0.60, p value = 0.55). A statistically significant positive association is observed however when repeating the analysis for the lowest income quartile LSOAs (z score = 2.03, p value = 0.04). This indicates that the least well-off may benefit most from home energy efficiency programs. A statistically significant positive association is also observed for the relationship between self-reported health and air infiltration rates (z score = 2.62, p value = 0.01). The findings support existing evidence for the predominantly naturally ventilated UK housing stock, suggesting that home energy efficiency measures provide a co-benefit for occupant health provided that adequate air exchange is maintained.
Highlights
In 2019, the UK passed a law to bring all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net-zero by 2050 [1]
This research aimed to identify what links may exist between home energy efficiency and air infiltration rate, with energy consumption and subjective population health
Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) rating and household gas consumption was found, indicating that for the average dwelling, an improvement of the SAP rating by 10 points may reduce its gas consumption by around 7%
Summary
In 2019, the UK passed a law to bring all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net-zero by 2050 [1]. Improving the energy efficiency of homes is a crucial component of this, and various schemes have been set up in the UK to help decrease household energy consumption whilst tackling fuel poverty. Solutions for reducing GHGs associated with dwellings include minimising unwanted heat losses, exploiting solar energy and decarbonising heating and cooling [2]. Various schemes have been initiated in the UK since the mid-1990s to improve dwelling energy efficiency and health [3]. The Decent Homes Programme improved conditions for over a million vulnerable households by installing new kitchens, bathrooms and central heating systems [4]. The Warm Front scheme helped those in fuel poverty by installing new boilers and insulation measures in privately owned properties [5]. The UK Government’s Clean Growth Strategy plans to improve the energy efficiency of many London dwellings where practical, cost-effective and affordable up to a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of C by 2035 [6]
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