Characterizing energy-related occupant behavior towards urban residential buildings in China with statistical database establishment

Abstract

Energy-related occupant behavior has significant impacts on the accuracy of energy consumption predictions. However, existing research on urban residential energy-related occupant behavior in China lacks a comprehensive understanding of its characteristics across different climates. Thus, focusing on energy-related occupant behavior of heating, cooling, cooking, domestic hot water use, lighting, operating other electric appliances, window opening, and shading, this paper proposes an index system and data collection method to reveal its inherent spatial and temporal characteristics. Then, the “Chinese Urban Residential Energy-Related Occupant Behavior Database” was established through large-scale investigations involving 8511 valid questionnaires conducted in the Severe Cold Zone, Cold Zone, Hot Summer and Cold Winter Zone, Hot Summer and Warm Winter Zone, and Mild Zone. Furthermore, typical operational patterns of each behavior were refined using K-Means clustering. Results revealed significant seasonal and regional variability in the characteristics of the investigated behaviors in each zone. The typical operational patterns of heating, cooling, window opening, and shading varied by zone and exhibited “part-time, part-space” characteristics. Cooking and electric appliance operational patterns differ depending on local customs. The index system and data collection method for energy-related occupant behavior could potentially serve as a template for establishing behavioral databases in other countries.