Data collection methods for accurate spatial use within rooms

Abstract

Dwellings in Belgium are comparatively larger than residences in other countries and the occupancy rate of the living spaces is rather low. Both occupant presence and behaviour have a large impact on the actual energy consumption. Rooms are generally fully acclimatized while only part of them is used effectively which impacts the energy consumption of the dwelling. This paper discusses spatial use within rooms and a methodology to monitor the effective spatial use of dwellings. Better insights in the effective spatial use can be used to increase the space and energy efficiency, e.g. by adapting the design of the house as well as the systems for heating and ventilation to the actual spatial use. In an in-depth case study, the spatial use patterns within three single family houses are monitored during 9 consecutive days in each season. During the monitoring period, a low cost, highly accurate, ultra-wideband, indoor localisation system was used to monitor the exact location of the residents within the dwelling. In addition, the temperature, relative humidity and light intensity in each room was recorded. Each hour, the residents were asked to fill in a survey on thermal comfort, activity and operation of windows or heating systems.