Analysis of window opening in arctic community housing and development of data-driven models

Abstract

Achieving low-energy, comfortable buildings in remote Arctic regions like Nunavik, Canada, presents multiple challenges due to high heating demand and limited energy supply. Understanding human behavior and the impact of practices on energy use is a key element in improving building performance. While previous research on building performance in Arctic regions has often adopted a building-centered approach, this study offers a complementary approach by investigating occupant behavior, focusing on window openings. The sample includes 10 monitored houses in the village of Quaqtaq, Nunavik. Data on weather conditions and window and door status were collected from September 2018 to August 2020. Behavior trends were identified using metrics such as the opening ratio, median duration of an opening, and number of openings. Correlations between opening/closing actions and the conditions of the outdoor environment were analyzed. Findings indicate that occupants interact more with common room windows and tend to leave bedroom windows open for longer periods. Time of the day, temperature, and relative humidity influence both opening and closing actions. Solar irradiance is also an important driver for open actions, while mean wind speed is significant in predicting closing actions. Data-driven models were developed using logistic regression. Comparison between predicted and real data demonstrated a good performance in estimating the opening ratio over the year and seasonal variations but a tendency to overestimate the number of openings and underestimate the duration of an opening.