ABSTRACT

In order to reduce energy use and improve indoor environmental quality (IEQ), new and retrofitted dwellings are increasingly equipped with complex heating and mechanical ventilation solutions, which occupants have to learn to use and live with. This work investigates the different ways in which occupants integrate these technologies into daily domestic practices, the associated difficulties and their potential consequences on comfort and building performance. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with occupants of 37 new and retrofitted low-energy dwellings around Copenhagen (Denmark), focusing on occupants’ domestication of underfloor heating and mechanical ventilation. While most respondents were largely satisfied with the IEQ in their homes, the interviews highlighted a disconnection between expected and real uses and perceptions of these technologies. The design assumptions were sometimes unable to reflect occupants’ expectations, including regarding personal control needs. Moreover, installation and operational failures were frequent and difficult for users to diagnose and correct, as they lacked relatable technical guidance. Consequently, occupants often resorted to alternative ways of taking control, which could prove detrimental for energy use and IEQ. The findings highlight the need for incorporating interdisciplinary insights on in-use performance in the design and installation of building systems, making them more robust, reliable and transparent.

摘要

为了减少能源使用和改善室内环境质量 (IEQ)，新建和改造住宅越来越多地配备了复杂的供暖和机械通风解决方案，居住者必须学会使用和生活。这项工作调查了居住者将这些技术融入日常家庭实践的不同方式、相关困难及其对舒适度和建筑性能的潜在影响。对哥本哈根（丹麦）周围 37 座新建和改造的低能耗住宅的居住者进行了半结构化访谈，重点关注居住者对地板采暖和机械通风的驯化。虽然大多数受访者对他们家中的 IEQ 基本满意，采访强调了对这些技术的预期与实际使用和看法之间的脱节。设计假设有时无法反映居住者的期望，包括个人控制需求。此外，由于缺乏相关的技术指导，安装和操作故障频繁且用户难以诊断和纠正。因此，居住者经常求助于其他控制方式，这可能对能源使用和 IEQ 不利。研究结果强调了在建筑系统的设计和安装中纳入对使用性能的跨学科见解的必要性，使其更加稳健、可靠和透明。包括关于个人控制需求。此外，由于缺乏相关的技术指导，安装和操作故障频繁且用户难以诊断和纠正。因此，居住者经常求助于其他控制方式，这可能对能源使用和 IEQ 不利。研究结果强调了在建筑系统的设计和安装中纳入对使用性能的跨学科见解的必要性，使其更加稳健、可靠和透明。包括关于个人控制需求。此外，由于缺乏相关的技术指导，安装和操作故障频繁且用户难以诊断和纠正。因此，居住者经常求助于其他控制方式，这可能对能源使用和 IEQ 不利。研究结果强调了在建筑系统的设计和安装中纳入对使用性能的跨学科见解的必要性，使其更加稳健、可靠和透明。