The Interaction Effect of Occupant Behavior-Related Factors in Office Buildings Based on the DNAS Theory

Lin Yang, Sha Liu and Jiaqi Liu
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Lin Yang: Department of Construction Management, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
Sha Liu: Department of Construction Management, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
Jiaqi Liu: Department of Construction Management, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-25

Abstract: Occupant behavior is acknowledged as a main contribution to building energy consumption. Many efforts have been devoted to identifying the impact of occupant behaviors on building energy consumption. However, the lack of understanding of the interaction effects among occupant behavior-related factors, to some extent, can lead to inaccurate results. To decode these complex interactions, this study was conducted to investigate the interaction effects of occupant behavior-related factors. A survey based on the Drive-Need-Action-System (DNAS) theory was used to describe the occupant behaviors. Then, based on the survey, a simulation model of an office building was applied for estimating the energy consumption led by different occupant behaviors. Finally, an orthogonal design of experiments (DOE) method combined with Pareto analysis was used to quantify the interactions of occupant behavior-related factors on energy consumption. Results show that factor combinations with strong interaction effects include: (1) lighting control and lighting fixture type and (2) computer control and tolerance of temperature range. The results provide important reference for building designers and facility managers toward a better understanding of the influences of occupant behaviors on building energy consumption.

Keywords: occupant behavior; factor interaction; building energy consumption; building performance simulation; the Drive-Need-Action-System theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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