ACEEE Paper: Behavior, Energy, and Culture

ABSTRACT

This project developed an analysis tool called the Building User Audit Procedure (BUAP) for understanding how people impact energy use patterns in campus buildings. For this study the authors developed the protocols for the BUAP in order to 1) understand actual and perceived energy use practices for particular buildings, 2) establish a baseline for behaviors that affect energy use, 3) create a benchmark for the design of new buildings, and 4) guide future intervention programs aimed at fostering pro-environmental behavior. To create the BUAP, the research team modified the ASHRAE “Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits” to create a three-tiered analysis tool including direct observations, automated monitoring and a questionnaire to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the interaction between individuals’ behavior and building performance. Tools like the BUAP are important because they can better capture cultural and behavioral factors that influence pro-environmental behavior such as users’ values, beliefs and attitudes; awareness of issues; personal and social norms; perceived control over environmental outcomes, and behavioral intentions leading to conservation behaviors. Building owners who use the BUAP instrument can improve their ability to increase building energy efficiency by accounting for the effects of building user behaviors.

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