An Investigation into the Relationship between Post Occupancy Behaviour and Energy Efficiency in Residential Buildings

This research investigated the relationship between post occupancy behaviour and energy efficiency in residential buildings.

Occupants remain unique in their behaviour, understanding and beliefs relating to energy conservation in residential buildings.

The assessment of the occupants’ behaviour and energy usage was achieved by investigating innovative energy efficient technologies that had been installed in a pilot case study.

These technologies included Balco glazing system, air source heat pumps, voltage optimisation units, phase change material, thermodynamics, passivents, energy efficient boilers, solar panels and external structural insulation.

The study consisted of 51 dwellings, based on 5 property types, including a mixture of semi-detached houses British Iron and Steel Federation (BISF), semi-detached and mid terraced bungalows and flats, all constructed in the south east of the UK between 1950 -1970.

Behaviour traits of occupants along with energy usage were collected over a period of 2 years. Data was collected through questionnaires, before and after the energy efficient retrofitting works had been carried out, supported by interviews and random observations.

The analysis concluded that the properties with the most significant reduction in gas usage (20.62%) were the British Iron and Steel Federation (BISF) properties. These properties were characterised by structural insulation, boilers and solar panels. Furthermore, all the occupants living in this type of retrofitted property were employed. They were conversant with maintenance manuals and the use of the internet, familiar with the types of energy efficient technologies that had been fitted and they paid their energy bills by pre-payment card.

The outcomes of this investigation could further advance the research in the area of the energy retrofitted residential housing in order to maximise their energy efficiency based on occupants’ behaviour, matched against user-friendly technologies, thus supporting designers, management agents, manufactures as well as responding to the occupants’ needs.