We all love saving money on our energy bills. But it turns out that's just a nice little bonus. The real jackpot from an energy-efficient home is something you can't put a price on: better health.
New research from Monash University is highlighting that the positive health impacts are so massive, experts say they shouldn't be seen as just a "co-benefit."
As Yale Climate Connections noted, a well-sealed home isn't just warmer — it's also drier. That means less moisture for mold to grow in. Better ventilation also means the house isn't a sealed box trapping every particle of dust and pollen. For anyone who spends their spring sneezing, that's a huge deal.
Then there's the pollution we add to the air. According to The New York Times, a gas stove pumps out nitrogen dioxide, a nasty irritant linked to asthma. It also releases benzene, a known carcinogen that can even cause reproductive problems. The Australian study from Monash University attributed over 12% of childhood asthma directly to gas stoves.
This isn't just a theory. Groundbreaking research from New Zealand tracked people after their homes were insulated. A 2007 trial found occupants in these warmer, drier homes reported better health, less wheezing, and fewer doctor visits.
The numbers from a follow-up program are wild. For every $1 spent on insulation and heating, it yielded $4 in savings. And 99% of those savings come from health benefits. Another program in Victoria saw healthcare savings of $887 per person from just minor upgrades.
This isn't just about our homes. A report from the American Lung Association found that replacing industrial boilers with electric heat pumps could prevent 77,200 premature deaths and save $1.1 trillion in health costs by 2050.
The switch is just as powerful in the kitchen. One home cook on TikTok showed off the "wizardry" of his new induction stove, boiling water in seconds with "no surface heat." For renters, The New York Times reported that portable induction burners can start at just $50. Plus, Americans may be eligible for incentives for a new induction range.
One YouTube user commented: "I wish the US took this as seriously as other countries, it's a win win for people and the planet."
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