What Are The Health Benefits of Improved Home Energy Efficiency And Ventilation?

Whether at home, in school, or at work everyone benefits from breathing fresh filtered, high quality air and avoiding the health and performance risks of breathing poor quality air. Increased fresh air reduces illness, improves sleep, improves cognition and improves productivity. In one study, cognitive functioning improved 100% on average in green buildings with enhanced ventilation compared to conventional buildings.

In another study, low income residents with upgraded energy efficiency in their apartments saved hundreds of dollars per year in health care costs, had 12% fewer asthma-related emergency room visits, a 48% decline in poor health and a 23% reduction in poorly controlled asthma for children. Providing even minimally adequate ventilation in the work environment may reduce sick leave by about 40% - similar to the protection provided by a flu shot. Additionally, steady, comfortable indoor temperatures result in fewer cold and heat-related deaths, less hypertension, heart disease, asthma, and COPD.

There is a cost to society as a whole from both indoor and outdoor air pollution. Working or studying with poor quality air, reduces productivity and cognitive functioning of workers and students. The healthcare costs of pollution-related illnesses and their related emergency room visits tax our healthcare system greatly.