An Investigation of Occupant Energy-Saving Behavior in Vernacular Houses of Behramkale (Assos)

Ebru Ergöz Karahan,Özgür Göçer,Kenan Göçer,Didem Boyacıoğlu

doi:10.3390/su132313476

Ebru Ergöz Karahan, Özgür Göçer + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313476

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Abstract

Despite its well-known potential to reduce energy use, the inquiry of whether vernacular architecture prompts its occupants to have energy-saving behavior has been neglected. This paper aims to investigate the influence of vernacular houses on the behavior of their occupants and other parameters affecting occupant behavior. Along with site observations, 117 surveys including multiple choice and open-ended questions were conducted with households living in vernacular houses and new houses in the historical settlement, Behramkale (Assos). A principal component analysis was conducted for the whole sample to determine whether there is a relationship between energy saving occupant behavior and energy use, household, and housing characteristics. Then further analyses were performed to explore the differences in descriptive properties of occupants. Household characteristics were found to be associated with occupant behavior. The females and married people tended to show more energy-saving behavior and sought to use their houses in more environmentally friendly ways. The older people were more likely to show no-cost energy-saving behavior. The households with high income and high-level education tended to invest in energy-efficient appliances but consumed more energy than other households. Besides the effects of household characteristics, historical heritage, and landscape values specific to the area influenced occupant behavior. Vernacular houses enabled the households to behave in a certain way and to continue the traditional daily habits related to sustainable, energy-saving behaviors.

Highlights

Extensive use of energy is one of the reasons for climate change, and the construction sector accounts for 40% of total energy use
This paper aims to contribute to the existing knowledge base by reporting findings from a survey study done in Turkey, which aimed at providing further understanding of whether vernacular architecture prompts their occupants to have energy-saving behavior
Since the building occupants and their behavior are essential components of energy use in the built environment, research on the interaction between people and the built environment is important in developing new areas of architectural exploration

Summary

Introduction

Extensive use of energy is one of the reasons for climate change, and the construction sector accounts for 40% of total energy use In this picture, the residential sector (households) has contributed 25–27% to the total energy consumption since 1995 [1]. The residential sector (households) has contributed 25–27% to the total energy consumption since 1995 [1] In this regard, the lack of climatic rationale in modern architecture and the role of households have drawn attention as an issue. The lack of climatic rationale in modern architecture and the role of households have drawn attention as an issue In this context, learning from vernacular architecture can result in an effective model for sustainable architecture to maximize occupants’ comfort with minimum energy and cost [2]. To ensure the continuation of knowledge transfer, many studies, for instance [2,5,6,7,8,9], are looking at how vernacular architecture design principles could be adapted to contemporary design to create sustainable environments

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