Dr Alejandro Moreno-Rangel (Lancaster University) and Dr Genny Carrillo (Texas A&M University) have been working on this interdisciplinary collaboration bringing the expertise of ImaginationLancaster in design and architecture research together with Medical Doctors to respond to a question that many of us have! What is wrong with new modern, airtight homes? Genny and Alejandro present how the built environment has changed over energy-efficient concerns without looking at the impact on our health. As homes become more energy-efficient looking at only energy efficiency concerns and reduce carbon emissions. Nowadays, we realise that this approach may not have been the best for us, the people that live in homes, as these changes have also impacted profoundly the indoor environment, in particular, the Indoor Air Quality increasing the pollution at home.
The good news is that we can also do something to mitigate these impacts. Therefore it is essential that we ventilate more, chose the right building materials (natural materials as much as possible) and cleaning products among other aspects. In this chapter, Genny and Alejandro present strategies that we could do at home to improve a healthier living within the current energy-efficient housing trends.
For more information about the book please visit: Advancements in Sustainable Architecture and Energy Efficiency
Alejandro Moreno-Rangel