The Health Professional’s Stake in Home Energy Performance

The briefing examines the link between indoor air quality (IAQ) and home energy performance, suggesting that healthcare providers can improve patient well-being by recommending energy upgrades. It highlights that poor IAQ costs the U.S. economy over $10 billion annually and notes that specific improvements—such as controlled ventilation, humidity control, and building envelope sealing—can reduce allergens and mold. The document promotes a partnership between RMI and NEEF to provide health professionals with educational materials, including the 'Health Heroes' infographic, to encourage homeowners to invest in energy-efficient upgrades that reduce carbon emissions and improve health.

• Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) has a significant economic impact in the United States, costing more than $10 billion per year by exacerbating allergy symptoms and worsening illnesses such as asthma.
• Specific home energy upgrades, including building envelope improvements (sealing drafts and insulation), humidity control, and controlled ventilation, can improve IAQ by reducing moisture, dust, and mold occurrences.
• Research indicates that combining asthma-control education with energy services and repairs leads to a 23 percent reduction in children with very poorly controlled or not-well-controlled asthma compared to those receiving education alone.
• RMI and NEEF have developed the 'Health Heroes' infographic to provide healthcare providers with talking points and action items to encourage homeowners to prioritize energy performance for better health outcomes.

APA

RMI (2017). The Health Professional’s Stake in Home Energy Performance. https://rmi.org/resources/health-professionals-stake-home-energy-performance/

Chicago

RMI. The Health Professional’s Stake in Home Energy Performance. 2017. https://rmi.org/resources/health-professionals-stake-home-energy-performance/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=The Health Professional’s Stake in Home Energy Performance |date=31 August 2017 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/health-professionals-stake-home-energy-performance/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2017health, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{The Health Professional’s Stake in Home Energy Performance}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2017}, month = aug, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/health-professionals-stake-home-energy-performance/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }