Abstract
4. Conclusion and Policy Recommendations
In addition, 52.6% of non-solar homes had annual energy costs (electricity plus gas) of
$2000 - $5950, putting them in the medium to high cost range. The remainder had an average bill of $1540/y.
Homes with either solar PV or a solar hot water tended to have newer air conditioners, set their thermostats lower than average in winter but not in summer and used their air conditioners less in both summer and winter. Their average energy bills ($1174/y) were approximately 50% less than the non-solar households, and they used about 32.0% less electricity than the state averages in summer.
Frequently gas bills are of the same order and sometimes higher than electricity bills.
Homes with ducted refrigerative air conditioners were associated with the highest energy use and electricity bills and those with window/wall air conditioners with the lowest bills.
However, the latter were most likely to be smaller and the air conditioning confined to single rooms. Ducted evaporative air conditioners used the least electricity but as they are frequently associated with gas heating the annual energy bills for homes with this form of cooling were virtually the same as those that use split system air conditioners for both heating and cooling.
Recommendations include:
Existing and new energy efficiency schemes regarding existing and future housing stock should ensure that specific targeting of these high energy use/low income households are targeted as part of their overall strategy.
Examining the potential of developing a single national medical energy concession, ideal- ly based on a percentage of the overall energy bill to ensure equity, reduce administra- tive costs and provide incentives for concession funders to promote energy conservation measures (including solar PV installations) for these households.
Future research should include a more detailed study of energy use in MS households, as well as is in other households such as those with Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord in- jury, etc that are known to have a medical need to keep warm and/or cool.
5. References
Bruno, F., Oliphant, M. & Summers, M. (2014) Domestic Energy Use by Australians with Multiple Sclerosis including Medically Required Cooling: Final Report, Consumer Advocacy Panel (part of the Australian Energy Market Commission)
http://www.advocacypanel.com.au/media/docs/MS-Medical-Cooling-Final-Report- e9860b29-bb63-4566-b92c-29d5a3c69efe-0.pdf
Climate Change in Australia CSIRO. II. Australia. Bureau of Meteorology (2007)
Covance & Menzies Research Institute Tasmania (2011) Economic Impact of Multiple Sclerosis in 2010, Aust. MS Longitudinal Study, prepared for MS Research Australia,Chatswood NSW.
De Judicibus, M.A. & McCabe, M.P. (2007) The impact of financial costs of multiple sclerosis on quality of life, International Journal of Behavioural Medicine, vol. 14, pp. 3–11.
Energy Made Easy, accessed 26 March 2014, http://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au/consumer- rights-and-support/rebates-and-concessions
Guthrie, C.T. & Nelson, D.A. (1995) Influence of temperature changes on multiple sclerosis:
critical review of mechanisms and research potential, Journal of the Neurological Sciences, vol. 129, pp. 1–8.
Saman, W, Boland, J, Pullen, S, de Dear, R, Soebarto, V, Miller, W, Pocock, B, Belusko, M, Bruno, F, Whaley, D, Pockett, J, Bennetts, H, Ridley, B, Palmer, J, Zuo, J, Ma, T, Chileshe, N, Skinner, N, Chapman, J, Vujinovic, N, Walsh, M, Candido, C & Deuble, M (2013) A framework for adaptation of Australian households to heat waves, National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, Gold Coast, 242 pp.
Saman W Y, Mudge L., Whaley D. & Halawa E. (2012) Sustainable Housing in Australia:
Monitored Trends in Energy Consumption, N. M'Sirdi et al. (Eds.): Sustainability in Energy and Buildings, SIST 12, pp. 247–256.
Simmons, R.D., Ponsonby, A.L., van der Mei, I.A.F. & Sheridan, P. (2004) What affects your MS, Response to an anonymous, Internet-based epidemiological survey’, Multiple Sclerosis, vol.
10, pp. 202–211.
Summers, M. & Simmons, R. (2012) Keeping Cool Survey: Air Conditioner Use by Australians with MS: Public Policy Related Results & Recommendations, Copyright © MS Australia.
Summers, M.P., Simmons, R.D. & Verikios, G. (2012) Keeping Cool: Use of Air Conditioning by Australians with Multiple Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis International, Vol. 2012, Article ID 794310, 6 pages, doi: 10.1155/2012/794310.
Professor Gregory Morrison, Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, Australia, [email protected]
Abstract
Purpose: This paper set out to uncover the advice available to help people take effective action within our home to improve mental health. The literature and professions are virtually silent on the issue. The professional advice is often the opposite suggesting we should get out of our homes - go for a walk, exercise, play sport, go to the cinema, meet friends, socialise and don’t isolate yourself. There is nary any advice about what we can do to our homes to help maintain our mental health. Our home - the physical space where we spend large amounts of energy and time is largely an empty shell for the mental health industry. The message currently presented appears to be "remember to close the door as you leave … to get better". Safe and secure housing is a fundamental pillar of an inclusive and productive society. Yet we don't know for sure what safe, secure, or good housing looks like.
Approach: This paper will begin that dialogue with a comprehensive literature review. The approach adopted to investigate this literature focussed on thinking about what a policy official might experience if they were tasked to develop guidance on steps to improve housings’ impact on mental health. Such an individual would not necessarily be aware of the extent of the literature, or of academic disciplines. This approach both made the literature review problematic, but also in some ways also produces a useful insight.
Key findings: The paper concludes that there are three issues that should shape future research:
first is the need for transdisciplinary translational research; second is to focus initially on the needs of the resident before the bricks and mortar; third is to endeavour to include the social pillar of sustainable development alongside the economic and environmental.
Originality: This paper is original as it seeks to start a conversation about what self-help measures people can adopt within their homes to protect or enhance their mental wellbeing Keywords: mental wellbeing, mental health, housing, homes, transdisciplinary research, translational research
Mike Burbridge
Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute Australia
1. Introduction
The prevalence of mental health issues in the community is a concern. Australia suffers from 8 suicides per day with a disproportionate representation in the Aboriginal community. Society’s response has been evolving. Mental health is now a topic for public debate. However, the role of the space where people live - the home - has received relatively little attention. The self-help advice that is available routinely refers to the importance of socialising, taking up a hobby and generally getting outside (eg BeyondBlue, 2014, or Better Health Victoria, 2016). Unlike the environmental and economic pillars of sustainable development, and unless you are in the care of the state, there is little to help builders, renovators, landlords, tenants, carers or home owners to take actions to improve the potential for their living space to either prevent a slide down the mental health continuum or just to enjoy better mental well-being.
Table 1: Mental health continuum (developed from Bridging the Distance (2016) and Mental Health Commission of Canada (2016)).
Self-care and social support Intervention by health care sector
Healthy Reacting Injured Ill
Normal functioning Common and reversible
Significant functional impairment
Clinical disorder Severe and persistent functional impairment
Normal mood fluctuations.
Takes things in stride. Consistent performance.
Normal sleep patterns. Physically
& socially active.
Usual self- confidence Comfortable with others
Irritable/Impatient Nervousness, sadness, increased worrying.
Procrastination, forgetfulness.
Trouble falling asleep Lowered energy.
Difficulty in relaxing.
Intrusive thoughts.
Decreased social activity
Anger, anxiety.
Lingering sadness, tearfulness, hopelessness, worthlessness.
Preoccupation.
Decreased performance at school or work.
Significantly disturbed sleep (falling asleep and staying asleep).
Avoidance of social situations
Withdrawal
Significant difficulty with emotions, thinking
High level of anxiety, Panic attacks.
Depressed mood, feeling overwhelmed Constant fatigue.
Disturbed contact with reality
Significant disturbances in thinking
Suicidal thoughts/
intent/behaviour
Possible actions to take at each stage
Focus on the task at hand
Break problems into manageable chunks
Identify and nurture support systems
Maintain healthy lifestyles
Recognise limits
Get adequate sleep, food and exercise
Engage in helpful coping strategies
Identify and minimise stressors
Identify and
understand own signs of distress
Talk with someone Seek help
Seek social support instead of
withdrawing
Seek consultation as needed
Follow health care provider
recommendations
Regain physical and mental health
2. Background
There is longstanding acknowledgement that a person’s physical and mental health can be impacted by the place where they live (Chapin, 1951; Novick, 1971). Since human’s earliest history those who developed good interventions to keep the unwanted out (hungry animals, weather, enemies) and the wanted in (warmth, family, food, community) survived.
Without good housing people have little chance of maintaining meaningful activities and supportive relationships (Browne & Hemsley, 2010). Housing gives people a physical and cultural space in society and can influence how, and what, they contribute to society (Bendiner-Viani &
Saegert, 2007).