Indoor Environmental Quality and Net Zero
Contents |
[edit] About the publication
Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) encompasses air quality and other quality metrics including acoustics, and thermal and visual comfort. This guide builds on these principles and applies them to the context of net zero. It considers how the various components of indoor environmental quality impact net zero individually, and finally how they interact in a holistic design approach for traditional buildings, modern buildings, and new builds.
This is the second in a series of guides published by the Net Zero Building Centre. The first, NZG 1/2022 Net Zero Carbon Buildings, provides an introduction to the topic of net zero and discusses some of the complex issues involved with moving towards a net zero built environment.
The Net Zero Building Centre is a joint venture between BSRIA and LSBU with the aim of accelerating decarbonisation in the built environment. It is an innovation hub and centre of excellence that builds on the shared strengths of BSRIA and LSBU in field of low carbon buildings.
[edit] Introduction
The past century saw a rapid expansion in the technologies available to deliver building services, and consequently a rapid increase in standards for air quality and comfort in buildings, with very little regard for efficiency.
The imperative of climate change now brings efficiency into focus in several ways. In addition to being fit for purpose and comfortable, a modern building must also be fit for the future. In short, the built environment must deliver quality and comfort without carbon and be flexible enough to maintain these standards in future climate conditions.
There is extensive knowledge and guidance available on modern approaches to good indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in buildings. Environmental quality encompasses air quality and other quality metrics including acoustics, and thermal and visual comfort. This guide builds on these principles and applies them to the context of net zero.
It considers how the various components of IEQ impact net zero individually, and finally how they interact in a holistic design approach for traditional buildings, modern buildings, and new builds.
This is the second in a series of guides published by the Net Zero Building Centre. The first, NZG 1, provides an introduction to the topic of net zero and discusses some of the complex issues involved with moving towards a net zero built environment.
Download the topic guide here: https://www.bsria.com/uk/product/BG2J4D/indoor_environmental_quality_and_net_zero_nzg_22023_a15d25e1/
[edit] Product details
Published: June 2023
Publisher: Net Zero Building Centre
Author: Aaron Gillich
ISBN: 978-0-86022-802-8
This article appears on the BSRA bookshop site as "Indoor Environmental Quality and Net Zero (NZG 2/2023)" dated June 2023.
--BSRIA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Achieving net zero in social housing.
- Aligning net zero with the levelling-up agenda.
- A zero-carbon UK by 2050?
- BSRIA publish net zero guide.
- BSRIA seminar on knowledge to achieve a net zero future.
- Climate Change Act.
- Fabric first investigation into net zero for existing buildings.
- Heat pumps and heat waves: How overheating complicates ending gas in the UK.
- Low or zero carbon technologies.
- Net Zero All Party Parliamentary Group NZ APPG.
- Net zero by 2050.
- Net zero (whole life) carbon.
- Net zero carbon building.
- Net zero carbon emissions.
- Net zero strategy: build back greener.
- Refurbishment for net zero; a BSRIA white paper.
- Scotland publishes plans to reach net zero targets with Heat in Buildings Strategy.
- Smoothing the path to net zero.
- The LSBU and BSRIA Net zero building centre, topic guide Net Zero Carbon Buildings.
- Transform to Net Zero.
Featured articles and news
Professional practical experience for Architects in training
The long process to transform the nature of education and professional practical experience in the Architecture profession following recent reports.
A people-first approach to retrofit
Moving away from the destructive paradigm of fabric-first.
International Electrician Day, 10 June 2025
Celebrating the role of electrical engineers from André-Marie Amperè, today and for the future.
New guide for clients launched at Houses of Parliament
'There has never been a more important time for clients to step up and ...ask the right questions'
The impact of recycled slate tiles
Innovation across the decades.
EPC changes for existing buildings
Changes and their context as the new RdSAP methodology comes into use from 15 June.
Skills England publishes Sector skills needs assessments
Priority areas relating to the built environment highlighted and described in brief.
BSRIA HVAC Market Watch - May 2025 Edition
Heat Pump Market Outlook: Policy, Performance & Refrigerant Trends for 2025–2028.
Committing to EDI in construction with CIOB
Built Environment professional bodies deepen commitment to EDI with two new signatories: CIAT and CICES.
Government Grenfell progress report at a glance
Line by line recomendation overview, with links to more details.
An engaging and lively review of his professional life.
Sustainable heating for listed buildings
A problem that needs to be approached intelligently.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson apprentice award
Deadline for entries has been extended to Friday 27 June, so don't miss out!
CIAT at the London Festival of Architecture
Designing for Everyone: Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Architecture.
Mixed reactions to apprenticeship and skills reform 2025
A 'welcome shift' for some and a 'backwards step' for others.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.