Operating Agent: Dr W F de Gids, TNO Building and Construction Research, Dept of Indoor Environment, Building Physics and Installations, Netherlands

Summary

Although some research had already been done on the problem of the inhabitants' behaviour with regard to ventilation, none had assessed whether and how the ventilation behaviour can be modified in order to save energy, and by taking into account the conflicting requirements, energy conservation and adequate indoor air quality. The main objectives of this annex were.

• To determine the actual behaviour of the inhabitants and to correlate it to the outdoor and indoor climate.
• To estimate the amount of energy losses due to this behaviour.
• To study the inhabitants' relevant behaviour motivation.
• To study whether such a behaviour can be modified and to estimate the amount of energy savings which might result therefrom.

Three experimental methods have been used to describe the actual behaviour of the inhabitants.

• Survey techniques (interviews, postal questionnaire).
• Self observation (diary forms).
• Observation techniques (observer, photograph, micro-switches).

Participants: Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, UK

Inhabitants' Behaviour with Regard to Ventilation
Dubrul C
UK, Coventry, AIVC, 1988, ISBN 0 946075 36 0, (AIVC Technical Note 23)
This forms a summary of the IEA ECBCS Annex VIII study into the behaviour of occupants with regard to ventilation. It assesses the extent to which the actions of occupants can be modified in order to minimise energy use yet maintain adequate indoor air quality. Chapters cover observational techniques, energy loss due to window opening, reasons for window opening and the resultant energy savings from modified use of windows.
Available at the AIVC Website*