Understanding Energy Related Occupant Behavior in High-rise Residential Buildings in Hong Kong

Abstract

The residential building sector accounts for 27% of total electricity consumption in Hong Kong. Occupant behavior has significant impacts on energy consumption in residential buildings. According to the Theory of Planned Behavior energy saving attitude is one of the internal motivations for acting energy-related behaviors. However, there is little knowledge about households’ energy behavior and attitude in high-rise residential buildings in Hong Kong. This paper aims to investigate occupants’ energy saving attitude and energy-related behaviors and their impacts on energy use in high-rise residential buildings in Hong Kong. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 988 households in a typical high-rise residential building of a public housing estate in Hong Kong. Face-to-face interviews supplemented the questionnaire survey for data validity. This survey was particularly focused on addressing the impact of social factors and human-influenced factors on energy use. In total, 135 effective responses were achieved, providing data about the personal information, energy saving attitude, energy use intensity and energy-related behavior modes in relation to the use of air-conditioners, windows and lighting, and showering and cooking activities. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and comparative statistical methods. Results show that self-evaluation of energy saving status has a positive effect on residents’ actual energy consumption status; and that air conditioner operation behavior modes explain the electricity charge’s distribution among households in cooling seasons. The conclusions contribute a better understanding of occupant behavior modes with evidence and should inform energy-efficient design and policy decision making in high-rise residential buildings in the future.