This targeted review considered the evidence of direct benefits from different energy efficiency measures in Australia; the evidence for health impacts from improved winter heating, improved resilience to summer heat wave events; and measures to minimise mould and dust mite risk.
The review found there is some evidence that low income tenants in social housing in Australia may realise health benefits as a result of energy efficiency interventions, plus some evidence from international studies that financial benefits may be substantial. The strongest evidence relates to benefits from increasing winter warmth above identified risk threshold temperatures plus some evidence for reducing internal temperatures during summer heat events and reducing the mould occurrence in homes.
However, the link between health outcomes and energy efficiency interventions is exceedingly complex, with numerous confounding factors affecting any study in this space. Therefore, the understanding of the exact causal pathways linking energy efficiency interventions with health outcomes, and the relative importance of those pathways is still limited. Further, there is currently insufficient evidence to make an estimate of the actual financial impact from co-benefits resulting from a specific energy efficiency intervention or package of interventions.
20180515 rev dir co benefits low income dwellings (1128660 PDF)