Clearing the Air: Exploring a Holistic Approach to IEQ and Net Zero

By Tom Garrigan, Technical Director, BSRIA
In the UK, people spend roughly 90% of their time indoors[1]. This makes indoor environmental quality (IEQ) a critical factor in the health, comfort, and productivity of the population.
Over the course of the 20th century, buildings’ IEQ improved significantly, driven in part by the availability of cheap energy, the changing attitudes of people in our buildings and the widespread use of mechanical systems designed to enhance comfort. However, many of these systems are not commissioned or operated to optimise energy efficiency, leading to wasteful energy use.
Today, the drive toward Net Zero emissions presents an opportunity to rethink how we approach IEQ. The challenge we face now is how to maintain or even improve indoor comfort while drastically reducing carbon emissions. Trickier still is how to change the way buildings are designed and constructed to meet both occupant needs and stricter guidelines.
To understand how this can be done, we first need to drill down into the critical components that make up optimal IEQ.
Finding the Balance
Several key factors influence IEQ, which together, have a major impact on long-term occupant health and well-being. They include (but are not exclusive to) thermal comfort, air quality, ventilation, acoustics, and access to natural light.
Balancing these elements is key to creating spaces that are both comfortable and energy-efficient. However, the drive for Net Zero emissions often means cutting energy use, which can sometimes lead to compromises on comfort.
This underscores the need for a holistic approach and the importance of thorough diagnostics to determine the best course of action. In the construction industry, there’s often a rush to adopt one-size-fits-all solutions, but this should be avoided. Each building must be assessed individually to achieve decarbonisation in a proper and meaningful way.
Net Zero: An Upgrade, Not a Trade-Off
A common misconception is that striving for Net Zero means sacrificing comfort, quality, or operational efficiency. In reality, a holistic approach to IEQ and Net Zero can enhance these aspects rather than stifle them. This requires careful planning and the integration of various design principles.
For instance, a fabric-first approach to building design, which emphasises the performance of the building envelope, can reduce energy demand. However, if factors like moisture control and heat transfer are not adequately addressed, it could lead to unintended consequences such as mould growth, which could harm both the building and its occupants.
This is why a holistic design strategy is essential – by integrating all aspects of the building system, developers can prevent unintended issues while still hitting IEQ and Net Zero targets.
A Path Forward
The push toward Net Zero presents a significant opportunity to rethink the way we design and operate buildings, focusing on both energy efficiency and IEQ.
Yet it’s only through a holistic approach – prioritising passive design, sensible material selection, and greater collaboration between teams and product suppliers, that developers can deliver comfort and quality without sacrificing sustainability.
A crucial factor in this is the diagnostics process, often overlooked in the construction industry. A saying I like to use is ‘you can’t test what you don’t measure’ – and this can be aptly applied to our current approach to IEQ and building performance. Focusing on the specific details of each building ensures progress is tracked, leading to more precise improvements and long-term success.
That said, the goal is clear and time is ticking: to provide environments where people can thrive, without compromising the health of our planet.
[1] https://www.york.ac.uk/yesi/research/environment-health/ingenious/#:~:text=UK%20residents%20spend%20around%2090,carbon%20monoxide%20from%20gas%20stoves.
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