Low Carbon Housing: Understanding Occupant Guidance and Training

Recent research into occupant behaviour in low carbon housing indicates that for the same type of house, energy and water use can vary by up to fourteen times between different households. This paper assesses the information and training the occupants received in two contrasting building performance evaluation case studies of exemplary low carbon housing. Key findings showed a lack of a coordinated set of guidance for occupants and poor understanding on the trainers’ part on specifics of the centralised heating and mechanical ventilation systems. As a consequence occupants were unable to operate or maintain these systems with confidence. Recommendations are made to develop guidance and “hands on” training that keeps usability in mind and empowers occupants to contribute to reductions in carbon emissions.