Behavior patterns in operations of lighting and air conditioning systems in commercial buildings

Abstract

Occupant behavior is one of the main reasons to bridge the gap between predicted and actual energy consumption. The paper identifies and categorizes the existing usage patterns in operation of lighting systems and air conditioning in a commercial building. A questionnaire survey was applied in Londrina, Paraná, in a commercial building with facades constituted by glasses in which the low solar factor, flexible layout, central core and mixed ventilation. The data was collected through interviews with 100 users, approaching 72 influence factors in systems’ operation. Using the cluster analysis method five patterns were identified, presenting differences mainly when it comes to the frequency of use of the natural ventilation and blinds. Pearson's chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests were applied and identified this was influenced mainly by contextual aspects and design decisions such as exposure to solar radiation, preferences, habits, nearness to windows and work activity. Besides that, the overage of glass areas in the east facade resulted in a 20% more use of air-conditioning. This way, the actions of the users are heterogeneous, not being possible to represent them in a unique pattern behavior.

Keywords:
User behavior; Energy use patterns; Building systems operation; Influencing factors; Cluster analysis