Striking a balance between energy efficiency, health, and occupant comfort

Energy efficient buildings are increasingly in-demand. As the connection between the built environment and health becomes clearer, it is imperative not only for builders to consider design-related health impacts, but also for public health professionals to understand buildings as balanced systems. A sustainably designed building should balance the health and comfort of its occupants with energy conservation.

Energy conservation benefits the environment and saves money. If done judiciously, energy retrofits also improve environmental conditions for occupants. But if approached carelessly, occupant health and well-being can be compromised. For example, any retrofit that affects ventilation should be done with the health outcomes for the occupants in mind.  A key component to balancing health and comfort outcomes with energy performance is to ensure that buildings are resource-efficient. After all, buildings are primarily meant for occupancy.

When approaching the built environment from the energy efficiency side, health outcomes may not be a paramount concern. However, the trend towards energy retrofits and energy efficient new construction provides an opportunity to bring health and comfort considerations to the forefront.

Using survey data and a review of the field, this session will detail comfort considerations and related health conditions that should be taken into account when making energy upgrades in an existing building or constructing a new energy efficient building. The results demonstrate the importance of indoor air quality as a key consideration in building performance. The findings and approaches presented during this session can be applied to built environments at the individual building level.