Employee preferences for office buildings’ adaptive control under multi-model discomfort situations

Buildings account for 30% of global energy consumption. Although applying energy efficiency programs or energy saving campaigns has helped to conserve energy use in offices, the consumption figures are still increasing. It might be that the scarcely studied user behavioural factors are partly at fault for this. Hence, this study will explore occupants’ energy-related behaviour under multi-model indoor discomfort situations, particularly focusing on office environments.A modified discrete choice experiment design is used to reveal the preference of occupants for adjusting four types of building comfort control system (i.e., windows, blinds, lighting, and thermostat). In addition, these occupants’ choice preferences for four types of personal comfort adaptation measures are included (i.e., adjust clothing, have cold/hot beverages, use of personal heater and fan.). The choices are made under randomly assigned context scenarios based on attributes including weather, task, location, the preceding indoor environmental quality situation, and general attributes like demographics and current building control features. The data collected from the discrete choice experiment is used to build a predictive model that estimates the likelihood of occupants choosing a specific building control system under multi-model discomfort situations. The model offers guidance to building stakeholders in decision-making processes regarding the development and management of building energy transition/conservation strategies. Additionally, it will promote building consumption related researchers in creating more holistic building simulations models in the pursuit of more holistic sustainable building practices for future application.