The effect of occupancy on school buildings’ energy consumption in Manitoba
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Date
2016, 2017
Authors
Ouf, Mohamed
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Energy and Buildings; Elsevier
International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment; ElSevier
International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment; ElSevier
Abstract
This research represents the first study to evaluate the effect of energy-related occupant behaviour on energy consumption in existing school buildings in Manitoba (MB). As buildings contribute 36% of Manitoba’s total energy consumption, the research aimed to address the lack of provincial energy consumption benchmarks for school buildings. The research also aimed to address the lack of empirical evidence on the relationship between energy-related occupant behaviour and real-time energy consumption, especially at the space level. Its significance and originality stem from its focus on analyzing Canadian and in particular Manitoban school buildings’ energy consumption and its development of a comprehensive method to evaluate energy-related occupant behaviour in schools using actual, empirical evidence. This method used tools ranging from room bookings, to lighting and occupancy sensors, point-in-time observations, and daily and general surveys to investigate that behaviour at the building and space levels.
The research involved analyzing historical energy consumption in a sample of 30 school buildings in Winnipeg, MB and the surrounding areas at the building level. It also analyzed real-time electricity consumption in three case-study schools from the sample at the building and space levels. The research used the comprehensive method developed to investigate energy-related occupant behaviour using the afore-mentioned tools. Ultimately, the research entailed investigating the relationship between occupant behaviour and real-time electricity consumption in these spaces and schools.
Findings revealed school building age had a statistically significant effect on the 30 schools’ overall energy consumption, with newer schools consuming less gas but more electricity than older and middle-aged ones. Of the three case-study schools, the new one consumed more real-time electricity daily than the other two schools. The old school had the lowest daily electricity consumption and teachers with the most energy-efficient behaviour. Moderate to strong statistically significant positive correlations were found between classrooms’ actual light use durations and their electricity consumption for lighting. By presenting empirical data on energy-related occupant behaviour in school buildings, this research highlighted the effect of this typically over-looked parameter on buildings’ energy consumption.
Description
Keywords
Energy, Efficiency, Buildings, Schools, Manitoba, Sustainability, Occupancy, Occupant Behaviour
Citation
Ouf, Mohamed, Mohamed Issa, Phil Merkel (2016) “Analysis of Real-time Electricity Consumption in Manitoba Schools” Energy and Buildings Vol 128: 530-539
Ouf, Mohamed, Mohamed Issa (2017). “Energy Consumption Analysis of School Buildings in Manitoba”, International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment (in press)
Ouf, Mohamed, Mohamed Issa (2017). “Energy Consumption Analysis of School Buildings in Manitoba”, International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment (in press)