The influence of multifamily apartment building occupants on energy and water consumption – the preliminary results of monitoring and survey campaign

¹ Poznan University of Technology, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ul. Berdychowo 4, 60-965 Poznań, Poland
² HM-PROJEKT Miłosz Hamerla, 77-400 Złotów, Poland
³ Freelance engineer, Poland

^* Corresponding author: karol.bandurski@put.poznan.pl

Abstract

Occupants’ attitudes and behavior have a significant influence on energy and water consumption in buildings. To provide more robust solutions, energy efficient applications should consider occupant-building interaction. However, there is a question to be answered: which aspects of lodging and occupant behavior cause the most substantial increase in consumption of these mediums. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the influence of household characteristics and occupants’ behavior on level and variability in utilities consumption. The study uses the results of a measuring campaign and the questionnaire. The measuring campaign was carried out to monitor the consumption of energy used for space heating and domestic hot water, as well as electricity, gas and water. The questionnaire specifically focused on household characteristics and occupants’ behavior. The research was carried out in four apartment buildings, all consisting of more than 100 apartments. Data from approximately 100 households was gathered and analyzed; the survey’s respond rate was almost 50%. A quantitative analysis of the results confirms the assumption that both household characteristics and occupants’ behavior (e.g. the use of heating control) are important factors for utilities consumption. Further work with the obtained data is planned in terms of including of greater number of apartments, assessment of ventilation effectiveness, as well as analysis of heat transfer between the apartments.