Designing for Impact: How Better Buildings Support Health and Climate Goals

A growing body of global research, including a compelling study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, is making it clear: the way we design and operate buildings has a profound effect on both human health and climate outcomes.

At Efficient Habitat, this confirms what we’ve always believed. Smart, high-performing homes don’t just reduce emissions—they promote better wellbeing for the people who live in them. And with thoughtful design, these benefits can be achieved affordably and at scale.

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🏢 Buildings: A Major Player in Emissions

According to the study, buildings account for an estimated 43% of CO₂ emissions in the United States—a figure comparable in many industrialised countries. Most of this comes from electricity use, still largely powered by fossil fuels.

Design choices like insulation, orientation, glazing, and materials all influence how much energy a building consumes. This makes the built environment a major contributor to climate change—but also a space of enormous potential.

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📊 The Overlooked Health Impact of Poor Building Design

• The study also reveals how building design directly affects human health:
• Poor ventilation, dampness, pests, and inadequate heating or cooling can cause respiratory conditions, worsen mental health, and contribute to chronic illness.
• These issues disproportionately affect vulnerable groups such as children, older people, and those with lower incomes.
• Conversely, high-performance homes with good ventilation, healthy materials, and stable indoor temperatures can actively support health, reduce stress, and improve quality of life.

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⚡ Why Energy Efficiency Is a Public Health Solution

Homes that meet or exceed net-zero energy standards can significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions. But they also provide safer, more comfortable living conditions.

Smart strategies—like airtight construction, double or triple glazing, balanced ventilation, and effective shading—allow homes to maintain thermal comfort with far less energy. This reduces the need for heating and cooling systems that not only consume power but can also worsen indoor air quality if poorly maintained.

These strategies also reduce energy bills, helping households avoid energy stress, a key factor linked to poor health outcomes.

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🌿 Designing for Lifestyle, Comfort, and Connection

The research goes further, highlighting how community and location design also influence health:

• Homes in walkable neighbourhoods support physical activity and social connection.
• Access to daylight and green space boosts mental wellbeing.
• Reducing car dependence cuts transport emissions and supports cleaner air.

High-performing homes, paired with good urban design, offer benefits that extend well beyond energy savings. They build climate resilience and support healthier, happier communities.