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Health and Wellbeing of Occupants in Highly Energy Efficient Buildings: A Field Study

Author

Listed:
  • Peter Wallner

    (Institute of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Peter Tappler

    (Austrian Institute for Healthy and Ecological Building, Alserbachstraße 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Ute Munoz

    (Austrian Institute for Healthy and Ecological Building, Alserbachstraße 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Bernhard Damberger

    (Austrian Institute for Healthy and Ecological Building, Alserbachstraße 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Anna Wanka

    (Institute of Sociology, University of Vienna, Rooseveltplatz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Michael Kundi

    (Institute of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Hans-Peter Hutter

    (Institute of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

Passive houses and other highly energy-efficient buildings need mechanical ventilation. However, ventilation systems in such houses are regarded with a certain degree of skepticism by parts of the public due to alleged negative health effects. Within a quasi-experimental field study, we investigated if occupants of two types of buildings (mechanical vs. natural ventilation) experience different health, wellbeing and housing satisfaction outcomes and if associations with indoor air quality exist. We investigated 123 modern homes (test group: with mechanical ventilation; control group: naturally ventilated) built in the years 2010 to 2012 in the same geographic area and price range. Interviews of occupants based on standardized questionnaires and measurements of indoor air quality parameters were conducted twice (three months after moving in and one year later). In total, 575 interviews were performed (respondents’ mean age 37.9 ± 9 years in the test group, 37.7 ± 9 years in the control group). Occupants of the test group rated their overall health status and that of their children not significantly higher than occupants of the control group at both time points. Adult occupants of the test group reported dry eyes statistically significantly more frequently compared to the control group (19.4% vs. 12.5%). Inhabitants of energy-efficient, mechanically ventilated homes rated the quality of indoor air and climate significantly higher. Self-reported health improved more frequently in the mechanically ventilated new homes ( p = 0.005). Almost no other significant differences between housing types and measuring time points were observed concerning health and wellbeing or housing satisfaction. Associations between vegetative symptoms (dizziness, nausea, headaches) and formaldehyde concentrations as well as between CO 2 levels and perceived stale air were observed. However, both associations were independent of the type of ventilation. In summary, occupants of the mechanically ventilated homes rated their health status slightly higher and their health improved significantly more frequently than in occupants of the control group. As humidity in homes with mechanical ventilation was lower, it seems plausible that the inhabitants reported dry eyes more frequently.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Wallner & Peter Tappler & Ute Munoz & Bernhard Damberger & Anna Wanka & Michael Kundi & Hans-Peter Hutter, 2017. "Health and Wellbeing of Occupants in Highly Energy Efficient Buildings: A Field Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:3:p:314-:d:93481
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Takaro, T.K. & Krieger, J. & Song, L. & Sharify, D. & Beaudet, N., 2011. "The Breathe-Easy home: The impact of asthma-friendly home construction on clinical outcomes and trigger exposure," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(1), pages 55-62.
    2. Peter Wallner & Ute Munoz & Peter Tappler & Anna Wanka & Michael Kundi & Janie F. Shelton & Hans-Peter Hutter, 2015. "Indoor Environmental Quality in Mechanically Ventilated, Energy-Efficient Buildings vs. Conventional Buildings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-16, November.
    3. Maidment, Christopher D. & Jones, Christopher R. & Webb, Thomas L. & Hathway, E. Abigail & Gilbertson, Jan M., 2014. "The impact of household energy efficiency measures on health: A meta-analysis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 583-593.
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    Cited by:

    1. Suchi Priyadarshani & Roshan R. Rao & Monto Mani & Daniel Maskell, 2023. "Examining Occupant-Comfort Responses to Indoor Humidity Ratio in Conventional and Vernacular Dwellings: A Rural Indian Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-27, September.
    2. Lorenzo Capasso & Daniela D’Alessandro, 2021. "Housing and Health: Here We Go Again," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-9, November.
    3. Alessandra Cincinelli & Tania Martellini, 2017. "Indoor Air Quality and Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-5, October.
    4. Hélène Niculita-Hirzel, 2022. "Latest Trends in Pollutant Accumulations at Threatening Levels in Energy-Efficient Residential Buildings with and without Mechanical Ventilation: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-12, March.
    5. Chengju Wang & Juan Wang & Dan Norbäck, 2022. "A Systematic Review of Associations between Energy Use, Fuel Poverty, Energy Efficiency Improvements and Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-29, June.

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