Quantification of the energy use due to occupant behaviour collected in surveys: a case study of a green and non-green building

Perceptions of occupants to energy use, collected in questionnaire surveys, were used as input variable for building simulations. These perceptions are related to occupant interactions with lighting, plug loads, heating, cooling, windows opening and shading. The simulations were performed to a green-rated (GB) and a non-rated building, in Sydney Australia, with similar characteristics. The simulation models were calibrated according to measured annual energy data to incorporate the collected behaviours. Occupants' behaviours (OB) were quantified in terms of energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and costs. Results show that occupants have 25% more impact on the overall energy use in the non-rated building than in the GB. In the GB occupants have a major impact in the heating function while in the non-rated building they impact the lighting system. The GB is less subjected to the direct impact of OB if the majority of its systems are automatically controlled.