The Information Gap in Occupant-Centric Building Operations: Lessons Learned from Interviews with Building Operators in Germany

Differences in building operator strategies can significantly affect energy use and occupant comfort. However, it seems that the daily work of operators facility managers is still largely based on heuristics individual experiences. In this work, we have investigated current data collection methods during operation its buildings as well handling behavior, comfort, user complaints interviews with ten Germany. These were conducted part an international study OCC (Occupant-Centric Control) strategies, under auspices IEA EBC Annex 79. The results clearly reflect, until now, communication between occupants plays a more important role optimizing or adjusting operations to meet needs than collected by BAS, which mainly used detect faults check system status key HVAC components when occur. some cases, real-time are applied for adjustment set points schedules depending measured conditions; however, customization considering user’s preferred temperature ventilation rate occupancy detection has not yet been implemented considered buildings. overall objective contribution research highlight best practices identify white spaces fulfill requirements achieve high level energy-efficiency. presented findings gaps science practice field sustainable optimization operation, but also point out real-world starting future development.