ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we take a deeper look at how measures of wellbeing such as health interact with energy use at the household level. By focussing on Southampton, UK, as a case study, we are able to include many variables not available for national surveys on wellbeing – home energy consumption, for example. We found that links between good health and energy present a complex picture when the components of energy consumption are separated out. Good health is indeed associated with higher energy use for car travel and flights, but also with reduced energy use in the home and higher engagement in low-carbon forms of travel such as cycling and walking. Our results are based on a study of over 200 homes including quarterly surveys covering health and wellbeing; travel diary; energy bills and also environmental and energy monitoring data gathered using sensors installed in the households. There are significant policy implications: we need to break the link between healthy, active lifestyles and high transport emissions. Also, the link between poor health and high home energy consumption adds support, for example, to fostering closer ties between healthcare and energy efficiency providers.
