User control actions in buildings : a case study of shading

Abstract

This thesis describes the results of a research to find out how users interact with shading and lighting devices in an office building in Vienna, Austria. The aim of the research is to explore the parameters that lead occupants to change shade positions. For this purpose, changes in shading on the southwest and north façades of the building were observed by capturing images of the whole façade. Weather conditions were registered by the weather station mounted on the top of the building. Inside the building, 15 rooms on the southwest façade and 14 rooms on the north façade were selected. Users¹ operation of lighting was captured in each room. Data over a period of twelve months was collected and analyzed. The relationship between users¹ behavior and environmental parameters was studied. The potential for energy saving through the use of occupancy sensors was explored.<br />