INDOOR ENVIRONMENT INFLUENCE ON OCCUPANT ENERGY BEHAVIOUR: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TWO OFFICE BUILDINGS IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

In Singapore, commercial buildings account for 38% of the nation’s electricity usage with offices responsible for being the highest energy consumer. With greater emphasis placed on building owners to improve energy performance, aspects such as the indoor environment and energy related behaviour cannot be overlooked if energy saving targets are to be met. Therefore, this dissertation paper aims to investigate the association between a buildings’ indoor environment in having an influence on occupant energy behaviour. Based on the literature review, the research hypothesis presumes that the indoor environment of a building has an influential effect on occupant energy behaviour. The study was carried through a survey questionnaire designed to understand occupants’ perception of energy use and behaviour towards energy-related activities in an office environment. The SPSS software was then used to analyse the responses of sampled occupants in two office buildings with environment differentiated by their building age. Using the chi-square test and the independent samples t-test, the study of the data showed significant evidence of the environment influencing energy usage under certain conditions. Further findings concluded that building design and access to user control are determining factors to occupant saving energy.