Occupancy-based zone-climate control for energy-efficient buildings: Complexity vs. performance

► Investigates performance of energy-efficient building climate-control algorithms as a function of their complexity. ► Simulations are performed with multiple types of zone, occupancy, outside weather, and geographic location. ► Shows that significant amount of energy savings without sacrificing comfort are possible with only occupancy measurements. ► Feedback controller performs as well as optimal controller if only occupancy measurements are used. ► Availability of occupancy prediction leads to small energy savings.