Abstract

Achieving better energy efficiency requires dwellings to face a delicate equilibrium, balancing thermal comfort and indoor air quality. This longitudinal study uses crowdsourced data collected over a year from 14 residences in Santiago, Chile, to examine the relationship between these two parameters. Results highlight considerable variability in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations and thermal comfort across the sample. PM concentrations are below the global medians, but the maximum values exceed them. Chronic harm from exposure to these concentrations is 1271 and 683 (DALYs/105 person/year) for PM2.5 and PM10, respectively. Moreover, the annual WHO 2021 recommendations are not met, and the daily mean is met by 25% and 72% of the measured days for PM2.5 and PM10, respectively. Determinants of these variations may include geographical location and construction materials, which will be included in future research. The indoor environment does not provide the hygrothermal conditions to achieve acceptable thermal comfort, which is only reached during 56% of the measured time. This research advocates for a regulatory approach to optimise energy efficiency and prioritise occupant well-being. Insights from this study contribute to a better understanding of competing objectives in residential architecture, informing strategic decision-making and interventions. © 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.