Hansen, A R; Gram-Hanssen, K and Knudsen, H N (2018) How building design and technologies influence heat-related habits. Building Research & Information, 46(1), pp. 83-98. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
The discrepancy between calculated heat demand and measured heat consumption - the performance gap - suggests that the energy efficiency of houses affects the energy-consuming habits of its occupants. This coincides with the theories of practice describing how materiality affects practices through reconfiguring practical understandings, e.g. comfort expectations. Heat-related habits are investigated in the paper across material contexts, e.g. building characteristics and technologies. Evidence based on a combined questionnaire survey and administrative data on occupants (n = 1216) living in single-family detached houses in Denmark shows that the practices of adjusting thermostats and the amount of clothing worn indoors as well as perceived indoor temperature correlate with building characteristics, e.g. energy efficiency of the building envelope and technical installations. These correlations are moderated by the socio-demographic characteristics of occupants. However, building characteristics are found to be less influential on the frequency of opening windows. The results indicate that occupants dress warmer and keep lower temperatures in energy-inefficient houses. This suggests that material arrangements have a significant influence on occupant expectations and practices, which lead to increased indoor temperatures and energy demand. A challenge for building regulations will be to account for how energy efficient house characteristics and technologies adversely affect occupants' energy-consuming behaviour.;The discrepancy between calculated heat demand and measured heat consumption - the performance gap - suggests that the energy efficiency of houses affects the energy-consuming habits of its occupants. This coincides with the theories of practice describing how materiality affects practices through reconfiguring practical understandings, e.g. comfort expectations. Heat-related habits are investigated in the paper across material contexts, e.g. building characteristics and technologies. Evidence based on a combined questionnaire survey and administrative data on occupants (n = 1216) living in single-family detached houses in Denmark shows that the practices of adjusting thermostats and the amount of clothing worn indoors as well as perceived indoor temperature correlate with building characteristics, e.g. energy efficiency of the building envelope and technical installations. These correlations are moderated by the socio-demographic characteristics of occupants. However, building characteristics are found to be less influential on the frequency of opening windows. The results indicate that occupants dress warmer and keep lower temperatures in energy-inefficient houses. This suggests that material arrangements have a significant influence on occupant expectations and practices, which lead to increased indoor temperatures and energy demand. A challenge for building regulations will be to account for how energy efficient house characteristics and technologies adversely affect occupants' energy-consuming behaviour.;
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | practice theory; occupant behaviour; housing; adaptive comfort; performance gap; rebound effect; thermal comfort; space heating; energy; Energy consumption; Houses; Buildings; Clothing; Indoor environments; Energy measurement; Construction materials; Building design; Residential areas; Demographics; Heat; Energy efficiency; Energy demand; Power efficiency; Design of buildings; Building envelopes; Thermostats; Habits |
| Index terms: | indoor environment, practice theory, energy demand, clothing, building design, building regulation, energy efficiency, energy measurement, building envelope, occupant behaviour, adaptive comfort, demographics, thermal comfort, comfort, power efficiency, residential area, construction material, energy consumption, survey, rebound effect, indoor temperature, materiality, thermostat, habit, housing, Denmark, consumption, design of building, questionnaire, space heating, evidence, performance gap, window |
| Subjects: | energy systems, environmental science, architectural design, economic analysis, building materials, sustainability and energy, zoning, consumer economics, health behaviours and lifestyles, data collection methods, evaluation and assessment methods, construction type, human factors, mechanical systems, regulatory law, environmental engineering, demography, occupational health and safety management, sociology, Geography, theoretical framing, architectural elements, building design, performance management |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Sustainability, Construction Technology, Stakeholder Management, Quality Management, Urban Studies, Legal Issues, Design Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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