The External Health Cost of Reduced Ventilation Domestic Energy Conservation Measures

Abstract

The use of reduced ventilation as a domestic energy conservation measure carries with it an increased radiation dose from radon gas. Linking the increase in radiation dose to a health detriment allows the external health cost of this form of energy conservation to be evaluated in monetary terms and compared with the external health costs of means of supplying primary energy on a common basis. The external health cost of reduced ventilation domestic energy conservation measures (draught proofing and double glazing) is estimated to be about 7 p/kWh based on an average home in the UK. This is at least two orders of magnitude greater than the external health costs of electricity fuel cycles based on PWR, solar, wind, hydro and gas and about one order of magnitude greater than those based on coal and oil.