0202502222026
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Sweaty and Stressed Description: Renters' experiences of indoor heat in their homes were assessed by recruiting 80 'Renter Researchers' from across Australia. Participants installed temperature-tracking devices in their bedrooms, which recorded temperature at regular intervals, generating a detailed dataset of temperature fluctuations in rental properties. In addition to these quantitative measurements, qualitative data were collected through surveys and interviews to contextualise the observed temperature patterns and assess the human impact of high indoor temperatures.
STARDIT ID:
STARDIT ID:
0202502222026
Dates
State completed
Start 2021-01-01
End 2024-12-31
Form updated 2025-03-05
Report authors
Location
Australia
Aims
The aim of this study was to gain insight into the experiences of renters who struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature in their homes. This group was not, nor intended to be, representative of all renters.
Category
research
Inputs
group of individuals
Volunteers (77)
Task: Logging temperature, answering surveys, interviews and participating in Whatsapp discussions
Compensation: volunteer
group of individuals
Researchers
Task: Undertaking research
Compensation: volunteer
organisation
Energy Consumers Australia Limited
Task: Funder
Compensation: volunteer
Outputs and impacts
publication/report/document
Research findings
Impact: Renters in substandard housing struggled to maintain safe indoor temperatures, with poor insulation trapping heat and limited cooling options affecting physical and mental well-being. Rising energy costs and rent increases led many to ration cooling or endure unsafe conditions, with energy debt becoming more common. These issues highlight the need for better rental housing standards and energy affordability.
event
State: Completed
Conference presentation at ISEE 2024: 36th Annual Conference of the International Society of Environmental Epidemiology (link)
Key themes: Contribute to research and public discussion on policy. This was accessible and easy to contribute, aligning with the scalability of citizen science e.g. there are millions of renters across Australia so we can harness that resource to gather basic information that can help shape policy on public health, housing, economics and climate change.