To ensure Plus Energy Buildings and their technologies are used as intended, and can maximize energy efficiency, it’s crucial to anticipate residents’ needs in the design phase.
Plus Energy Buildings designs and technologies should be flexible enough to adapt to these needs in the most energy-efficient way. Otherwise, residents will find their own solutions, often overriding the intended functionality of the technologies.
Conflicting practices in buildings
Designers should consider factors relative to culture and climate, when creating buildings and technologies. For example, differences in cooking habits, preferences for open windows, or sleeping practices in winter vary across regions and, most importantly, can affect energy efficiency. These are what we call “conflicting practices”.
Some examples of these are:
- In Mediterranean areas, people often open windows instead of using mechanical ventilation to ventilate spaces or remove cleaning product odours.
- In Oceanic regions, residents prefer to use fans or open windows to feel connected to nature or maintain comfortable temperatures.
- In Continental climates, people may use electric heaters on balconies or open windows in winter to relax or adjust the temperature for visitors.
- In Sub-Arctic zones, the lack of direct warmth (like the heating from a fireplace) leads to extra heating with electric radiators, and windows are often opened to "feel connected to nature."
This is just an example from a specific climate and culture. The takeaway is: growing up in a specific climate and culture influences people’s everyday habits. Designers must understand these habits to create buildings that feel intuitive for residents and answer to their needs.
For further details on the most common conflicting practices per each climate cluster, and potential strategies to counteract them, download the Plus Energy Building design guidelines.
The common habits and preferences identified in each country have been used by researchers in the Cultural-E project to create Home Guides that help occupants:
- learn how to use their home’s control systems effectively;
- follow practical tips to save energy and improve air quality.
By giving occupants these guidelines, Plus Energy Buildings can better meet their needs, making the technology more acceptable and improving how the buildings perform overall.
Finally, collecting feedback from users through surveys or interviews is crucial. It helps designers refine their systems and ensure that PEBs work well for everyone.
