Successful utilisation of energy resources is dependent upon human behaviour and the actions taken within the built environment. Codes create standards, success is based on the human interface.
Abstract
Given that human behavior is increasingly recognized to play an essential role in building energy use, the validity of occupant-related assumptions in the building code and in the energy performance modeling tools used for demonstrating code compliance is a central concern. This paper investigates the current occupant-related assumptions in the National Building Code (NBC) of Canada compared to new and emerging data sources.
Introduction
Building code development and enforcement are critical for the continuous improvement of building design and construction practices. In this regard, building codes differ from one country to another, owing to the structure of governments, cultural differences, economic and financial situation, and climate. In general, building codes and their enforcement offer a promising opportunity to assure high-performance buildings through efficient building design, technologies, and construction practices.
Highlights
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A comprehensive review of new and emerging occupant-related data in Canada.
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Occupant-related assumptions in NBC varies from the new available datasets.
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Thermostat data from over 13,000 homes across Canada were analyzed.
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The total daily volume of DHW use is highly dependent on the number of occupants.
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A daily ALP loads profile from multiple sources was developed.