Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/174287 
Year of Publication: 
2017
Series/Report no.: 
ESRI Working Paper No. 554
Publisher: 
The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), Dublin
Abstract: 
Improving the energy efficiency of the residential building stock has increasingly been promoted by policy makers as a means of reducing energy demand in the residential sector. We review the literature on some non-energy impacts of energy efficiency retrofitting measures aimed at increasing the air tightness and thermal insulation of residential properties. Specifically, we review the impact of retrofitting measures on indoor pollutants, mould growth, attenuation of radio signal and overheating. We show that without the provision of adequate ventilation, increased air tightness can result in higher levels of indoor pollutants and mould growth. Similarly, we show that in certain circumstances thermal insulation has the potential to result in increased signal attenuation and overheating. We detail the policy implications of these findings and outline policy actions that have been implemented in case study countries where these consequences are an issue.
Subjects: 
energy efficiency retrofitting
environmental policy
radon
mould growth
signal attenuation
overheating
JEL: 
Q48
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
354.26 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.