CompletedObservational

Healthy Homes: understanding the impact of energy efficiency upgrades on the home, carbon emissions, and resident health

The 'Healthy Homes' study explores how upgrading homes to be more energy-efficient impacts residents' health, the environment, and household costs. Cold or damp homes can cause health problems, and making them warmer and better ventilated could help. Researchers are working with a social housing provider in Bradford to see if these upgrades improve health, reduce energy bills, and cut carbon emissions. They're also checking that changes don't accidentally make things like damp or air pollution worse. By understanding these effects, the study aims to guide future housing improvements to create healthier living spaces for everyone.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

430

Start

15 Jul 2025

Estimated completion

31 Jan 2026

Public Health, Persons with potential health hazards related to socioeconomic and psychosocial circumstances

What is this study about?

Our homes play a big part in how healthy we are. If your home is often cold, damp, or doesn't have good airflow, it can lead to issues like mould, stuffy air, and stress. These problems might even increase the risk of heart and lung conditions. Many people are looking at making homes more energy-efficient, which means making them warmer and better insulated. This is often called 'retrofitting'. The idea is that these changes could make homes healthier, save money on energy bills, and be better for the planet by reducing carbon emissions.

However, it's also important to make sure these upgrades are done carefully. Sometimes, trying to seal up a home too much to save energy could accidentally reduce fresh air or make dampness or indoor pollution worse. This study, called 'Healthy Homes', is designed to find the best ways to make homes better without creating new problems.

Researchers are teaming up with a large social housing provider in Bradford for this project. They want to understand exactly how energy-efficiency upgrades affect people's health, the quality of the air inside their homes, and whether these changes are a good investment. The findings from this study will be really important. They will help guide future decisions about how to improve housing, ensuring that new projects benefit both the people living in them and our environment.

Key takeaways

This study is about making homes healthier and more energy-efficient.
It focuses on social housing in Bradford undergoing energy upgrades.
Researchers will check how these upgrades affect health, air quality, and energy use.
Participation involves surveys and small home sensors, with some optional interviews.
Your involvement could help shape future housing improvements for everyone.
The study runs from July 2025 to December 2029.

Who may be eligible?

This study is inviting people who live in certain social housing properties in Bradford. Specifically, it's for homes managed by Incommunities that are currently not very energy-efficient (meaning their Energy Performance Certificate, or EPC, rating is less than 'C'). Your home needs to be scheduled for energy upgrades between March and October 2026 to be part of the 'improved homes' group, or after March 2027 to be part of the 'comparison homes' group.

To take part, you need to be 18 years old or older and be able to understand the study and agree to participate. Unfortunately, if your home isn't planned for these specific upgrades within the study's timeframe, you won't be able to join. Also, if there's a language barrier that can't be helped by research assistants who speak more than one language, or if you can't give your consent, you wouldn't be able to participate. The study also needs to ensure participants can understand and respond to the surveys and interviews.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Do I live in social housing in Bradford managed by Incommunities?
Is my home's energy rating likely less than 'C'?
Is my home scheduled for energy upgrades between March 2026 and October 2026, or after March 2027?
Am I 18 years old or older?
Can I understand information about the study and agree to take part?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you are invited and decide to take part, the study might involve a few things over several years. We may install small, temporary sensors in your home. These sensors quietly check things like the air quality, how warm or cold your home is, and how much moisture is in the air. You won't need to do anything with them. You'll also be asked to fill out short surveys three times during the study period. These surveys will ask about your health, how comfortable you feel in your home, and how you use energy.

In some homes, the researchers might also measure mould and observe how residents use their windows for fresh air. A small number of people will be asked if they'd like to share their experiences in an interview, which is a chance to talk more about how the changes have affected your home and health. The study is expected to run from July 2025 to December 2029.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could really help us learn how to make homes healthier, more comfortable, and better for the environment in the future. The information you provide could shape future housing plans and policies, benefiting many people. There are no major risks connected with taking part; the sensors are small and simply monitor conditions, and the surveys are short. Some people might find completing the surveys or having sensors in their home a small inconvenience. Please know that all your personal information will be kept private and secure, and you are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Bradford, England

Common questions

What kind of health problems are we looking at?

We are interested in how indoor living conditions affect overall health, especially for conditions related to heart, lungs, and general wellbeing like stress.

What does 'retrofitting' mean?

Retrofitting means upgrading an existing home to make it more energy-efficient, often by adding insulation, improving heating systems, or making windows and doors better to keep heat in.

Will my home definitely be improved if I join?

Some homes in the study will receive energy-efficiency upgrades, while others will be used as a comparison group. Your home's schedule for upgrades will determine which group you are in.

How long will the sensors be in my home?

The small sensors will be installed for a period during the study to measure air quality, temperature, and humidity, but they are not permanent fixtures.

Who is funding this important work?

This study is being funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), which is a UK Government organisation supporting health and social care research.

How to find out more

Dagmar Waiblinger

Dagmar.Waiblinger@bthft.nhs.uk +44 1274383317 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.