Human Factors in Residential Energy Efficiency: Exploratory study in an Energy Test Facility

Abstract

Implementing residential energy efficient strategies frequently affects the occupants by involving human factors of thermal comfort and user convenience (time, physical effort, or attention). This paper presents an analysis of human factors and measured energy savings resulting from the use of selected energy efficient strategies in residential heating while families lived in a residential test facility Seven volunteer families lived separately in the test facility for six-week periods and trial tested five heating strategies for one week each. Human factors and energy consumption data were collected for each strategy. The heating strategies were (1) closing off bedroom vents and doors, (2) setting the thermostat at 65° F, (3) using a sunspace, (4) using a woodstove, and (5) combining the use of the sunspace and woodstove. After each family used all five strategies, the adult male and female family members ranked the strategies according to perceived demands of time, physical effort, attention and to perceived general convenience of use. They also ranked their perceived thermal comfort. The participants’ evaluation of strategy use indicated a trade-off of convenience (time, physical effort, and attention) for thermal comfort and energy savings. Rankings indicated that reported convenience was inversely related to perceived thermal comfort and energy savings. The most convenient strategy (i.e., setting the thermostat at 65°F) produced lower perceived thermal comfort and energy savings than did the least convenient strategy (i.e., combining the use of the sunspace and woodstove). Results are discussed relative to the advantages and limitations of using a test facility in studying residential energy use.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Carolyn S. Turner

Carolyn S Turner is Associate Profesor in the Department of Human Environment and Family Sciences.

Kenneth J. Gruber

Kenneth J Gruber is an independent data management consultant in Greensboro.

David E. Klett

David Klett is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University, Greensboro.