A systematic review of time user surveys-questionnaires and monitoring variables used to track occupant behaviour in residential buildings

Abstract In recent years, a growing body of literature has revealed that occupants and their interactions with the building systems controls (window opening, thermostats, solar shading, etc.) have become key factor influencing building’s energy performance Indoor Environment Quality. Occupant behaviour can lead to major disparities between predicted-simulated actual use in buildings, described by term Energy Performance Gap, affecting possible strategies reduce consumption. A potential solution minimize differences simulated real is designing realistic models occupants, which be incorporated simulation code providing useful information for design and/or assessment new or existing buildings. Usually, occupant are treated as static-deterministic schedules simulations, disregarding stochastic diverse nature. Accurate configuration leads fine-tuned enhancing operation control systems. An occupant-centric results capable meet occupants’ health comfort requirements, minimizing at same time use. Although number techniques been used model occupancy behaviour, such probabilistic statistical models, present work, we systematically review most based on questionnaires monitoring variables. These quite common application could help better understand what drives interact its systems, making more robust models.