To help avoid making decisions in isolation that can lead to unintended detrimental consequences, researchers at UCL devised a decision-making model to aid UK housing policy decisions.
Housing
Can we predict the location of overheating-related deaths?
Researchers combined maps of data for 2.6 million London addresses to predict the location at greatest risk of heat-related mortality.
Energy efficiency retrofit is more effective & has health benefits if combined with grid decarbonisation & enhanced ventilation
UCL researchers found that achieving carbon reduction targets in urban settings depends on the interdependencies between housing and energy provision, and that different decarbonisation strategies at the city / town level can affect the health of inhabitants.
Building type & construction have a significant effect on post-flood drying time
Researchers at UCL found that the type and construction of a building may significantly alter its ability to dry following a flood. Flood depth and drying conditions also have an impact on the duration of damp.
Over 70s are more likely to dangerously overheat their homes in summer
Older people are particularly vulnerable to high temperatures, so summertime heating can be dangerous to their health.
Passive measures may not be enough to keep homes cool as the climate warms
Researchers have found that passive measures may not be enough to cope with future projected overheating in suburban homes, suggesting that mechanical cooling technology may be required.
Physical characteristics of a home vs location: what’s more important?
Researchers at UCL have quantified the degree to which the building characteristics of a home affect how much residents are exposed to air pollution and high temperatures.
New low-carbon social housing faces increased risk of overheating and poor IAQ
New low-carbon houses are designed to reduce heat loss through improved airtightness and increased insulation, raising the risk of overheating and inadequate ventilation.
People’s behaviour can significantly affect the risk of indoor overheating
People’s behaviour inside their homes has an important impact on how much the building overheats during periods of hot weather – researchers at UCL explain.
How to reduce overheating in existing suburban English homes
SNACC researchers found that flats and mid-terraced homes are at greater risk of overheating, particularly in the South of England.