This paper describes the monitored environmental conditions in the bedrooms of 26 low energy houses in Scotland, include both naturally ventilation and houses with mechanical ventilation with heat recovery systems (MVHR). The context of the paper is the performance gap that is emerging between design predictions and actual performance of housing, and this paper focuses on the environmental performance of bedrooms. Bedrooms are of particular interest as they are the spaces in which occupants have the greatest exposure to the indoor environment, and in which conditions are relatively constant. The study indicates that ventilation is generally poor in these spaces and that both temperature and humidity frequently exceed accepted parameters for comfort and health. Increased window opening is a mitigating factor, but effects are limited by overall ventilation strategies.

At a time when UK and Scottish governments are aiming for zero-carbon housing, there are two key issues for domestic laundering: passive indoor drying, affecting heating use and the indoor environment (addressed elsewhere); and energy and environmental impacts of appliances. Relevant findings are reported on the 2008-2011 study 'Environmental Assessment of Domestic Laundering', drawing on monitored data from 22 case studies out of 100 dwellings surveyed in Glasgow. Differing consumer traits and habits, combined with variable technical performance, provide quantitative and qualitative evidence of a wide estimated annual consumption range. Actual usage and energy consumption averaged less than UK predictions; and values did not necessarily correspond with manufacturers' energy ratings. In a wider discussion, case study median and mean extrapolations of electricity consumed by laundering (105 and 174 kWh/person-year) prove significant relative to the proportion of what could be available to a dwelling achieving the German Passivhaus standard. The potential for heat recovery from 'grey' water is posited along with other options for mitigating power consumed by appliances. Renewable technology to offset consumption in shared facilities is discussed as a means of easing the performance of individual homes. The foregoing aspects are among key conclusions directed at housing occupiers, providers, national and local governments, and industry.

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As the UK and Scottish governments aim for zero-carbon housing, with tightly sealed building envelopes becoming paramount, indoor air quality (IAQ) and its implications for health has become a concern. This context relates to the reported findings of a 2008-2011 study, 'Environmental Assessment of Domestic Laundering', concerning the prevalence of passive indoor drying (PID). Assessment of PID impacts, shaped by built and social context including occupants' habits and trends, draws on monitored data from 22 case studies out of a wider survey of 100 dwellings in Glasgow. The smaller group included analysis of air samples, and provided scenarios for enhanced dynamic modelling via laboratory work on moisture buffering.The evidence suggests PID has important implications for energy consumption and IAQ; in the latter case because moisture levels are likely to boost dust mite populations and concentrations of airborne mould spores. Thus findings suggest possible negative impacts on health. Further work concerning VOCs and laundering is also advocated. The paper concludes by recommending amended building standards allied to design guidance for improved practice; these aiming to prevent PID moisture diffusion within habitable rooms by upgrading minimum requirements, and also to require enhanced outdoor drying facilities.

Well-being and Indoor Sunlight 2 Indoor sunlight improves health in hospitals, schools and workplaces, and there is clinical evidence for the impact on depression, but there is a lack of evidence for a positive impact of sunlight in domestic dwellings on residents' health and well-being. This could have important implications for building design and resident's indoor behavior, and impacts on health. Using a cross-sectional survey we investigated the relationship between annual indoor sunlight opportunity and psychological well-being in 40 residents of high-rise dwellings in a socio-economically deprived area in Glasgow, Scotland.Perceived physical health, physical activity, psychological distress and indoor environmental factors were considered as mediators of the relationship between annual sunlight opportunity and well-being. We used novel simulation modeling of window size, orientation, occlusion and occupant behavior to measure annual sunlight opportunity.We found a significant positive association between well-being and annual indoor sunlight opportunity, but not between sunlight and objective indoor environmental variables such as air quality, bacteria and fungi. Perceived physical health, lower psychological distress, more physical activity and better perceived environmental quality were associated with greater psychological well-being. Perceived physical health was the only variable which mediated the impact of sunlight on well-being. Findings merit replication in larger and more heterogeneous samples but have implications for building design and advice to residents on window occlusion. wordsWell-being and Indoor Sunlight 3

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