Leverage of behavioural patterns of window opening and heating set point adjustments on energy consumption and thermal comfort in residential buildings

Abstract

The current trend in reduction in energy use in buildings is oriented towards sustainable measures and techniques aimed to energy need restraint. Even so, studies have underlined large differences in energy consumption in similar buildings, suggesting strong influence of occupant behaviour. Variability due to occupants' interactions within buildings is therefore organic. Nevertheless, it is worth noting a lack of knowledge and study of the parameters influencing users' behaviour and their way of life. Existing dynamic energy simulation tools exceed the static size of the simplified methods through a better and more accurate prediction of energy use; however, they are still unable to replicate the actual dynamics that govern energy uses within buildings. Furthermore, occupant behaviour is currently described by static profiles, based on assumptions and average values of typical behaviour, which do not necessarily reflect reality accurately. The pursuit of a comfort condition in indoor environment is a result of complex correlation between different parameters and users' personal sensitivity. As a consequence, a need for always more accurate statistical occupant behaviour models, considering different behavioural patterns and preferences among indoor environmental quality, is arising. Final goal of this research is to simulate, in a more accurate way, the variation in actual energy consumption due to human interaction within buildings. In this effort, the study has highlighted which combination of users' behavioural pattern consists the most energy-saver or energy-waster behaviour in residential buildings. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014.