1. Bing Dong1, Yifei Duan1, Rui Liu2, Taeg Nishimoto2
The Impact of Occupancy Behavior Patterns On the Energy Consumption in Low-income Residential Buildings
Bing Dong1, Yifei Duan1, Rui Liu2, Taeg Nishimoto2
1 Building Performance and Diagnostics Group, Mechanical Engineering, the University of Texas, San Antonio, TX, USA
2 College of Architecture, the University of Texas, San Antonio, TX, USA

2. Introduction
Large gaps between measured performance and simulated results
Source: NBI report Energy Performance of LEED For New Construction Buildings

3. Introduction
Occupancy behavior (OB) has significant influence on building energy use

4. Introduction People spend most of time at homes
Based on American time user survey data (ATUS)

5. Introduction Building Occupancy Behavior
Occupancy behavior is a key factor influencing building energy consumption and indoor environment
Climate
Condition
Building
Energy
Consumption
Building Envelope
Occupancy
Behavior
Building Systems
Occupancy
Presence
Occupancy
Activities
Occupancy
Operation

6. UTSA Occupancy Test-beds
“Three+1” project for Westside low income houses
A collaborative project of UTSA the San Antonio Alternative Housing Corporation, and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
Honorable Mention for Research and Education in Residential Construction, presented by City of San Antonio Green Building Awards, 2013

7. Introduction AAC House Container House . SIPs House Stick House
1,019sf
Container House
1,106sf .
SIPs House
1,073sf
Stick House
1,000sf

8. Instrumentation Nonintrusive Sensor Network
Temperature Sensor
Powerhouse Dynamics e-Monitor

9. Energy Consumption Total Monthly Energy Consumption # of Occupants
Even with best material as SIP house, the energy consumption rises high.
How many people in different houses?
Does number of people matters ? No.
In this case, the number of people did not impact on the energy consumption
Stick
# of Occupants
at homes 2 4 4 2 3

10. Behavior 1: Thermostat Schedule
DOE Benchmark
August 12 to August 19, 2013
All four houses thermostat schedule

11. Behavior 1: Thermostat Schedule
HVAC working status for 1 week
SIP house
AAC house On
Off

12. Behavior 1: Thermostat Schedule
Energy Consumption of HVAC for 1 week(12/8-19/8)
Energy Consumption (kWh)

13. Behavior 2: Usage of Major Appliances
Cooling and Heating
45%
Energy Consumption of Stick House for 5 months
Building Energy Data Book (2009)

14. Behavior 2: Usage of Major Appliances (Water Heater)
Energy Consumption of Water Heater for 1 week(12/8-19/8)
Energy Consumption (kWh)

15. Behavior 2: Usage of Major Appliances (Water Heater)
SIP
Stick
ATUS

16. Behavior 3: Occupancy Movement
Occupancy movement in SIP house
Living Room
Temperature Profiles of living room and master bedroom of SIP house

17. Behavior 3: Occupancy Movement
High Probability
For example, between 7pm to 9pm
Living Room in SIP house
(aggregated one week data)

18. Behavior 3: Occupancy Movement
Kitchen in SIP house
(aggregated one week data)

19. Integrate with Energy Models
Appliances
Energy Saving: 15%
Comfort time Increase: 25%
New Thermostat Schedule
Occupancy Movement Patterns
Building Controls Virtual Test bed (LBNL)
Measured Energy and Temperature Data

20. Conclusion and Future Work
In this study, we present occupancy behavior and energy usage patterns in four low income houses
We also demonstrate possible energy savings based on occupancy movement
In future studies, we will:
Develop statistical models to describe occupancy behavior in buildings.
Integrate with energy consumption patterns

21. IEA Annex 66
IEA Annex 66 “Definition and Simulation of Occupant Behavior in Buildings”.
UTSA BPD group is task leader of subtask 1.
23 countries and regions

22. Acknowledgement