Seasonal evaluation of adaptive use of controls in multi-storied apartments: A field study in composite climate of north India

A Class II level field survey is conducted in five naturally ventilated multi-storied apartments in the composite climatic zone of north India. A total of 984 data-sets were collected for the whole year, involving over 82 subjects and 55 apartment units. This paper highlighted the season-wise behavioral change in the usage pattern of controls and the resultant thermal response of the subjects. It is observed that at extreme weather conditions, subjects are switching to ‘seasonal controls’ (i.e. fans, A/C’s and heaters/hot blowers) as oppose to the ‘designed controls’ (i.e. windows, balcony doors and blinds) or personal controls (i.e. changing ‘clo’ and ‘met’ levels). The study concludes that if designed controls are efficiently incorporated in the building the thermal perception of the residents and the resultant energy consumption can be improved.