Evaluating energy saving behavioral interventions through the lens of social practice theory: A case study in Hong Kong

Abstract

Foreseeable energy savings can be obtained by guiding curtailment behaviors through behavioral interventions. However, the underlying mechanism behind behavioral interventions remains largely unknown. This study aims to examine how behavioral interventions impact occupant behavior and energy use in buildings from a systematic perspective, especially cooling-related behaviors in subtropical areas. First, a theoretical framework was established using social practice theory to demonstrate the dynamics of occupant behavior from three interconnected phases, namely “material”, “behavior” and “cognition”. Following this, the behavioral change process was simulated under the proposed framework, supported by sub-models of building energy, occupant behavior, and social psychology. The sub-models were verified by survey data from 290 effective participants and in-situ monitoring data in 12 dormitory rooms of a university in Hong Kong. Simulation results show that behavioral interventions can help to reduce the air conditioning electricity use in the case building by 15%–18%. However, many uncertainties exist, and the effectiveness of such interventions is determined by multiple correlated factors, such as the original behavior mode, comfort demand, energy saving beliefs and the intervention time. The findings enable a better understanding of the dynamics of occupant behavior and inspire future studies on behavioral interventions with the novel methodology.