Building for Health and Climate: How Smarter Homes Can Improve Lives and Cut Emissions

At net zero plus, our mission is to design homes that are not just energy-efficient, but genuinely healthier for the people who live in them — and better for the planet, too. A recent article published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine backs this up with hard science, linking the way we design and operate buildings to both public health and climate change.

Let’s unpack what the research reveals, and what it means for the future of housing in Australia.

Buildings: A Hidden Driver of Climate Change

Buildings — whether residential, commercial or industrial — are responsible for a staggering 43% of CO₂ emissions in the United States, with the majority of those emissions coming from electricity use. Most of that electricity still comes from fossil fuels like coal, which also emit harmful pollutants.

What’s clear from the research is that every design decision — from a building’s orientation and window placement to its materials and energy systems — has a lasting impact on both emissions and the wellbeing of its occupants.

Healthier Buildings, Healthier People

The health effects of poorly designed or underperforming buildings are significant. The study highlights that:

• Mould, pests, inadequate heating/cooling, and poor ventilation can lead to respiratory issues, asthma, and mental health challenges.
• These conditions disproportionately affect vulnerable groups — including people with low incomes, the elderly, and ethnic minorities — who are also more susceptible to climate-related health risks.
• Green building design, on the other hand, has been shown to reduce stress and fatigue, particularly in healthcare settings, and to improve overall wellbeing.

This is exactly why net zero plus homes prioritise high-performance ventilation systems, non-toxic building materials, and natural daylighting. It’s not just about energy ratings — it’s about designing spaces where families thrive.

Building Better to Cut Emissions

The good news? Buildings also offer one of the greatest opportunities for climate action. The research confirms that:

• Energy-efficient homes can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially when using sustainable materials and renewables.
• Retrofitting older homes and constructing new buildings to higher performance standards delivers both environmental and financial benefits — with long-term cost savings for homeowners.
• Locally sourced and recycled materials reduce the need for transport (and its associated emissions), while also supporting the local economy.

A net zero plus home embodies all of this. By using uPVC triple-glazed windows, passive solar design, and integrated renewable energy systems, we’re creating homes that are not only cheaper to run — they’re better for the air we breathe and the future we share.

Designing for Connection and Activity

The placement of a home matters, too. Homes located in walkable, connected neighbourhoods reduce car dependence and encourage physical activity — both of which lead to lower emissions and better health outcomes. It’s why we advocate for compact, people-centred developments that prioritise pedestrian access, green spaces, and local services.

The Takeaway

This research confirms what we’ve long believed: better buildings mean better outcomes — for our climate, for public health, and for the communities we live in. Designing homes with intention and care doesn’t just tick compliance boxes — it builds resilience, wellbeing, and a more sustainable future.

If you’re planning to build, renovate or reimagine your next home, we’d love to help you do it the net zero plus way.

Ready to reimagine your future home?

Book a free consultation with us today and discover how your home can be part of the solution — for your family, and for the planet.

Sources: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Vol. 55, Issue 5, 2018.

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Title: Building for Health and Climate: How Smarter Homes Can Improve Lives and Cut Emissions

A recent article in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine has added more weight to what many in the sustainable building space have known for years: the way we design and operate our buildings has a direct impact on both our health and the climate.

With buildings accounting for a large portion of global greenhouse gas emissions — and many homes contributing more than we might expect — there’s a growing opportunity to rethink how we build. And the good news? When we design better buildings, we don’t just lower emissions — we also create homes that support healthier, more comfortable lives.

Buildings and Emissions: The Bigger Picture

The article reports that buildings account for 43% of CO₂ emissions in the United States, with most of this coming from electricity used for heating, cooling, lighting, and appliances. That’s a significant slice of the climate problem — and also an area where meaningful change is possible.

Energy use in buildings is shaped by design choices: how a home is oriented, what materials are used, how airtight it is, and how it responds to its surrounding environment. These decisions influence how much energy is needed to keep a home comfortable, and in turn, how much carbon it emits over time.

The Health Connection

It’s not just the planet that pays the price for poor building performance. The conditions inside our homes — temperature, air quality, damp, ventilation — have profound effects on physical and mental health.

The article notes that inadequate heating or cooling, mould, pests, and poor ventilation can lead to respiratory illness, mental health issues, and chronic disease. Vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and people on lower incomes, are most at risk.

On the flip side, high-performing homes — especially those designed or upgraded to meet net zero or Passive House standards — offer well-documented health benefits. These include:

• Consistently comfortable indoor temperatures
• Better air quality and ventilation
• Reduced exposure to pollutants and allergens
• Lower stress levels and improved wellbeing

Long-Term Benefits of Better Building

While high-performance materials and systems may cost more up front, they typically pay off in the long run — through lower energy bills, greater durability, and improved quality of life. Retrofitting older homes, and designing new homes to higher energy efficiency standards, is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce emissions and improve health outcomes.

What’s more, decisions around materials, site orientation, window placement, and even landscaping can all help reduce reliance on artificial heating and cooling. Homes that work with, rather than against, their environment are not only more sustainable — they’re often more enjoyable to live in.

Building for a Low-Carbon, Healthy Future

One of the key insights from the research is the ripple effect of well-designed homes. For example:

• Using recycled or locally sourced materials reduces embodied carbon and supports local supply chains.
• Homes built in walkable, connected neighbourhoods reduce car dependency and encourage active lifestyles.
• Building features like daylighting, natural ventilation, and clear access to green space promote mental and physical health.

High-performing homes — particularly those designed to meet net zero energy or carbon goals — are a cornerstone of climate action that also supports better public health. They provide tangible co-benefits: reduced energy use, lower emissions, improved indoor comfort, and better health outcomes.

Final Thoughts

This growing body of research confirms the deep links between the built environment, climate, and health. When we focus on building better — not just greener, but smarter and healthier — the benefits extend far beyond energy bills.

Every home designed for net zero performance is a step toward a more resilient and liveable future. And whether you’re building from scratch or upgrading what you have, the opportunity to make a positive impact is right at your doorstep.

Curious about how to make your future home healthier and more sustainable?

Start by exploring design options that prioritise both energy performance and occupant wellbeing — because where and how we live truly matters.