Patterns and Implications of User Control Actions in Buildings

The control actions by the inhabitants of buildings can significantly affect the energy performance of buildings and their environmental impact. However, relatively few studies have investigated such actions in detail and on a long-term basis. In most buildings, occupants operate control devices such as windows, shades, luminaries, radiators, and fans to bring about desirable indoor environmental conditions. Knowledge of such user actions is crucial for accurate prediction of building performance (energy use, indoor climate) and effective operation of building service systems. The present contribution describes an effort to observe control-oriented occupant behavior in office buildings in Austria over a period of 1 year. Thereby, user control actions as related to one or more of the building systems for ambient lighting, shading, window ventilation, and heating were monitored together with indoor and outdoor environmental parameters. The collected data has been analyzed to explore relationships between the kinds and frequency of the control actions and the magnitude and dynamism of indoor and outdoor environmental changes. Moreover, implications of user actions for energy use are studied.