Mind the gap: Methodology discussion of the extraction and analysis of pilot phase data to generate multi-configuration household behavioural profiles

This paper constitutes the conclusion of a three-month pilot study, concluding March 2017, performed in a CfSH level 5 housing projects in Lincolnshire, UK. The study uses purpose designed activity and occupancy logs, climate tracking and monitoring of interior environment through the use of data loggers. The research’s final output uses occupancy tracking by introducing self-observation and its translation to energy consumption by its integration into multiple occupancy calculation methodologies to investigate these results within the post-pilot study phase. The pilot study constitutes the development of these methods according to each house’s occupants and the research objectives. The study aims at generating multi-configuration household behavioural profiles through extracting a comprehensive full set of data, including room functions, activities and factors that contribute to energy consumption by balancing the use of logs and participant comfort. The research undertakes a bottomup survey, assessing consumption information of frequently used equipment in the house and calculating variable total consumption in accordance with the occupancy and activity logs. In addition, the use of an initial semistructured interview that was undertaken to address the phenomenological causes that underline the observed behaviour, as well as account for non-quantifiable factors of behaviour. The findings of this study have shown patterns of behaviour that are atypical of usual design assumptions as well as a variety of household combinations that interact uniquely with their buildings.