Indoor environmental quality and energy performance: Reviewing the case of council homes in London

In the UK, exposure to air pollution constitutes the most significant environmental risk to public health, particularly for low-income groups residing in council homes. These occupants often live in smaller flats at higher densities, which are typically located in areas with higher levels of air pollution. Consequently, their health and well-being are negatively impacted. Moreover, in the quest for improving indoor thermal comfort and energy efficiency, the levels of airtightness increased, and the ventilation rates decreased, which have further worsened indoor air quality. Therefore, this paper critically reviews the trade-offs between airtightness, indoor air quality (IAQ), thermal comfort, and their impacts on building occupants' health and well-being. The paper focuses on the case of London, where action plans and retrofitting strategies of council homes are reviewed. The review aims to explore strategies to optimise and balance between energy efficiency, indoor thermal comfort, and indoor air quality. Based on the review, the paper proposes the adoption of the social approach, in addition to the physical measures, through the consideration of the occupants' behaviour and altering their behaviours to optimise the use of energy and improve their indoor living conditions. The paper also recommends different mitigation strategies and design guidelines to promote healthier and more energy efficient buildings.