Occupants affecting efficiency
Mitch_Costa
| Posted in Energy Efficiency and Durability on
Not a question, just a link to an article the GBA advisors should find interesting about the importance of occupant behavior in building efficiency: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/things-people-do-foil-energy-saving-buildings-180967324/
Mitch Costa
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Replies
Mitchell - it is funny that you posted this article, since I just linked to an article at Mr Money Mustache about saving money (and energy) by doing less laundry. I think there could be an equal and opposite article as a counterpoint to this Smithsonian article which would be about people in inefficient buildings with inefficient appliances saving energy by modifying behavior (making due with lower heat setpoints, wearing sweaters, etc. I worked in a LEED Platinum office building where the entire HR department installed electric heaters under their desks in protest. Behavior modification only works if there is buy-in from the occupants - or if it is occupant-led.
Mitchell and Ethan,
Building scientists have been cursing occupants for decades. They always say the same thing: "If it wasn't for the freaking occupants, we could build and operate some very energy-efficient buildings."
More here: Occupant Behavior Makes a Difference.
Good points - and true in a lot of other endeavours. I do a lot of work for a nearby resort, and have come to the conclusion that the ideal resort has no guests.