Evaluating the indoor environment, health, carbon emission, and economic outcomes of retrofitting social housing properties to improve energy efficiency in a low-income multi-ethnic population: a quasi-experimental study with process evaluation
Housing is important for our health. Homes can be uncomfortable and unhealthy if they are too hot or cold or have problems with damp, mould, or indoor pollution. Retrofitting homes can improve energy efficiency, lower fuel bills, reduce carbon emissions, and make them more comfortable for residents. However, retrofitting could have unexpected effects (e.g. making problems like damp and indoor pollution worse). Our aim is to understand how retrofitting social housing in Bradford affects health, the quality of the indoor environment, and whether it is value for money.
We will focus on five areas: 1. Indoors: We will use sensors to collect temperature, humidity, and indoor pollution in 210 homes that are retrofitted and compare results to 210 similar homes that are not. We will ask residents about their energy use, comfort levels, and health. 2. Health: We will track health data from GPs and hospitals to see whether residents in 6,500 retrofitted homes have different mental, lung, and heart health compared to those living in non-retrofitted homes. 3. Environment: We will look at how factors such as the age and type of building, and residents’ behaviour, affect carbon emissions. This will help us understand which types of homes should be retrofitted first to have the biggest impact on the environment. 4. Value for money: We will compare the costs of retrofitting homes with the potential money saved for the NHS and the economy to see if retrofitting homes is a good way to spend public money. 5. Community views: We will talk to residents and people involved in retrofitting homes to work out what worked and what did not.
These findings will help create recommendations for the Government, social housing providers, and housing developers. We will share our results through easy-to-understand summaries, reports, meetings, and media coverage. Residents will take part as ‘peer researchers,’ helping us gather information for the study, and a group of residents will also guide us in planning and carrying out the research.
Study duration:
01/07/2025 – 31/12/2029
The project is led by Professor Rosemary McEachan, Director of Born in Bradford, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
