Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
264334 Energy and Buildings 2011 7 Pages PDF
Abstract

The occupancy level of dwellings is an important parameter to know to determine the energy efficiency, energy use and indoor air quality, especially in low-energy buildings where the user-related energy uses, such as household electricity and domestic hot water heating, are significant parts of the energy balance in a building. For residential buildings, there is a lack of occupancy level data, which also needs to be resolved over time, in a way so that both short term and long term variations can be described. As a part of an ongoing study, occupancy levels were measured as building average levels in 18 apartment buildings containing 342 apartments in total with readings every 30 min for more than a year. Averages and standard deviations of occupancy level, and variation in occupancy during the year, week and day respectively are presented. The results show a highly varying occupancy level over time, which indicates the potential of demand controlled ventilation in dwellings.

► A method to continuously measure occupancy level. ► Reference data on typical variations in occupancy levels. ► Improves verifications of user related energy uses. ► Improves prediction of energy use.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Energy Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
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