Field Study on Actual Usage of Occupancy-Reactive Space Heating Control

Abstract

We present evaluation of actual use of an occupancy-reactive space heating control, which changes set-point temperatures in space heating for energy-savings based on changes in occupancy state. We performed an experiment over two winter months in Lyon, France. In this experiment, occupants were provided with occupancy-reactive and pre-scheduled controls via a home energy management system (HEMS) and they were also allowed to control space heating manually via a thermostat or the HEMS. Occupants decided which control to use from among the two advanced controls and manual control, whereas control availability was limited in some experimental periods. To grasp actual usage of the two advanced controls, we introduce energy-saving potential for valve-regulated space heating and determine numbers of frequent users who applied any of the occupancy-reactive, the pre-scheduled or manual control. We also analyze actual energy consumption of space heating of the frequent users of each control. Our findings suggest energy-saving effects by the occupancy-reactive control, but the results show that the number of the occupancy-reactive control users in the experiment was not so large. This observation encourages reconsideration of the assumption that advanced controls such as the occupancy-reactive control are used fully by occupants in previous studies, indicating a necessity for promoting comprehension and active use of occupancy-reactive controls. INDEX TERMS Heating ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC), home energy management system (HEMS), occupancy-reactive space heating control.

Revisiting Home Heat Control Theories through a UK Care Home Field Trial

“…However, this does not ensure a complete understanding of the system. A study by Yano and Imahara [37], for example, evaluated the introduction of occupant-reactive heating controls in households, showing that, even after explaining to residents how the new system worked, a large proportion still found it difficult to understand. In the case of a care home, there are extra limitations to consider, such as cognitive impairments.…”