Academicians and professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) field have expressed an increasing interest in sustainability and its application in the development of construction projects, especially with its deemed relationship with lean construction, for the purpose of improving efficiency in the construction processes. Practices framed under the lean philosophy show their potential in reducing environmental, economic, and social impacts during the construction phase, with an increase in the parameters of sustainability in the development of projects.

Residential energy efficiency interventions are complex social and construction programmes that may benefit health, yet the interactions between the material improvements, health and health-related outcomes, and householder responses are not well understood. While indoor winter warmth and householder satisfaction have been identified as the key mediators for physiological, mental and social health outcomes, this paper explores how programme contexts may have influenced the outcomes. This review revealed that common target populations were low income households, children and the elderly.

A guide with these contents

• Sustainable and accessible ways to keep cool
• Key messages
• How does heat affect the body?
• Doesn’t air conditioning solve the problem?
• How can electric fans help?
• When shouldn’t electric fans be used?
• What if it’s too hot to use a fan or there is no power?
• How can buildings help keep people cool without the need for air conditioning?
• What should governments, employers, services and communities do to promote
• ‘fan-first’ cooling?
• Sources