The Air That We Breathe…
4th August 2025
Trina Chakravarti
When we talk about our homes, be it from a design, newbuild or retrofit perspective, one thing is constant when considering how we make them as healthy as we can – the quality of air within the home. This is because it affects both the immediate health and long-term wellbeing of the people living in them.
It is easy to get caught up in new technological solutions for the home, but integrating air quality considerations ensures that homes are not only compliant with regulations, but on a wider perspective provide a healthy, comfortable and sustainable living environment for residents.
Poor air quality, whether that comes from indoor pollutants, damp, mould or inadequate ventilation can have short-and long-term impacts on both physical and mental health. It has a direct impact on respiratory health and can increase the risk of allergic reactions, particularly in vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those who suffer from pre-existing conditions.
Inadequate ventilation in the home - the result of the lack of proper airflow - contributes to a build-up of moisture and pollutants. Alongside persistent dampness due to leaks, condensation or insufficient heating, all of this leads to poor indoor air quality. Quite often linked to the winter and the inadequate heating of homes, air quality matters in the summer months as well.
We are experiencing one of our hottest summers in recent years, with three heatwaves recorded and consistent temperatures above the season average for some months now. So how is air quality in the home affected by overheating?
Higher temperatures can result in increased pollutant concentrations being released in the home from sources such as building materials, furniture and household products. With advice to keep windows shut during the hottest part of the day, there remains the potential for higher temperatures in the home adding to the build-up of these pollutants alongside an increase in indoor humidity providing the conditions for mould and dust mites to grow.
If nothing else, it is just unpleasant to live with.
This reinforces something we believe passionately in at Healthy Homes Hub - that the quality of the air that we breathe within the confines of our home is important, all the year round. It is not just about having homes that are warm in the winter, it is about having homes that do not overheat in the summer either.
How can we prioritise this and how can we ensure we deliver good ventilation and good air quality in our homes?
This is the essence of our Air Quality Ideas Exchange Event that we will hold later this year on the 6th November.
We will be exploring all things air quality – in terms of both compliance and wellbeing – and have created an agenda that offers practical and financially viable strategies to address the issues of condensation, damp, mould, and poor ventilation in the home.
The event is designed so as not be about listening only. We will share, debate, and shape the future of air quality standards through two-way dialogue where fresh perspectives, best practices and innovative solutions meet.
Speakers will come from the health sector, housing providers and the sector’s supply to provide a wide cross section of views on this important topic. Whilst November might sound like a long time away as we continue to enjoy the summer sun, places for this event are limited to 40 so make sure you reserve your space now to help tackle this important issue for the sake of residents and our wider environment.
Secure your space here: https://healthyhomeshub.uk/events/the-healthy-homes-hub-air-quality-ideas-exchange
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