A mixed-methods case study on resident thermal comfort and attitude towards peak shifting of space heating

TY - JOUR

T1 - A mixed-methods case study on resident thermal comfort and attitude towards peak shifting of space heating

AU - Christensen, Louise R.L.

AU - Broholt, Thea Hauge

AU - Barthelmes, Verena M.

AU - Khovalyg, Dolaana

AU - Petersen, Steffen

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s)

PY - 2022/12

Y1 - 2022/12

N2 - Recent simulation-based studies have indicated that Economic Model Predictive Control (EMPC) of space heating systems can exploit the thermal mass in residential buildings for demand response (DR) purposes in district heating systems. However, there is a lack of studies on residents’ perception and acceptance of the fluctuating indoor air temperature behaviour inherent in EMPC of space heating. This paper reports on a case study featuring the residents of three one-story houses located in Denmark. The houses were equipped with technology enabling remote actuation of radiator thermostats and collection of various indoor environmental data. Four different temperature boost interventions mimicking the typical behaviour of EMPC of radiators were executed while a mixed-methods triangulation design, employing questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, was used to collect subjective data. Data showed that residents accepted the behaviour but only after the benefits of the EMPC were explained. The acceptance was motivated by either the prospect of saving money, environmental benefits, or a combination of both. The results thereby indicate that explaining the benefits of EMPC is important if residents are to abandon their current preferences and practices in favour of an EMPC concept. The explanation should consider the diversity in current preferences, expectations, and level of technological pre-knowledge. In addition, the paper also reports on a range of findings related to technical aspects of realising EMPC in practice.

AB - Recent simulation-based studies have indicated that Economic Model Predictive Control (EMPC) of space heating systems can exploit the thermal mass in residential buildings for demand response (DR) purposes in district heating systems. However, there is a lack of studies on residents’ perception and acceptance of the fluctuating indoor air temperature behaviour inherent in EMPC of space heating. This paper reports on a case study featuring the residents of three one-story houses located in Denmark. The houses were equipped with technology enabling remote actuation of radiator thermostats and collection of various indoor environmental data. Four different temperature boost interventions mimicking the typical behaviour of EMPC of radiators were executed while a mixed-methods triangulation design, employing questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, was used to collect subjective data. Data showed that residents accepted the behaviour but only after the benefits of the EMPC were explained. The acceptance was motivated by either the prospect of saving money, environmental benefits, or a combination of both. The results thereby indicate that explaining the benefits of EMPC is important if residents are to abandon their current preferences and practices in favour of an EMPC concept. The explanation should consider the diversity in current preferences, expectations, and level of technological pre-knowledge. In addition, the paper also reports on a range of findings related to technical aspects of realising EMPC in practice.

KW - Demand response

KW - Heating intervention

KW - Residential buildings

KW - Subjective thermal comfort

KW - Triangulation design

U2 - 10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112501

DO - 10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112501

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85138798690

SN - 0378-7788

VL - 276

JO - Energy and Buildings

JF - Energy and Buildings

M1 - 112501

ER -