Rising energy costs and emission reduction targets mean that energy consumption is a key goal for many businesses, including commercial offices. While there are numerous factors that must be considered in the journey to lowering energy use, such as the efficiency of individual assets, the behaviour of building occupants should not be overlooked.
The actions of those that occupy the office space every day can have a significant impact on the overall efficiency of the building.
From leaving lights on to frequently adjusting air conditioning settings, building users’ behaviour directly affects electricity and gas costs, as well as the carbon emissions associated with the property. As such, by encouraging small behavioural changes among building occupiers, it may be possible to lower energy use and mitigate the impact of spiraling power prices.
The impact of behavioural changes on a building’s energy consumption was demonstrated in a study entitled ‘Energy-saving occupant behaviours in offices: change strategies’. The study monitored behaviour in an office setting using energy monitoring devices which logged energy readings for desktop devices such as computers, screens, chargers and fans.
Following a 100-day baseline period, three behaviour interventions were implemented with employee groups. These were based on providing feedback on existing energy use, setting reduction goals and providing education around reducing energy use in the workplace. The study then observed the results over an additional 100 days and found that, on average, an 18.8% reduction in energy use was achieved. The study concludes, “For the building manager, feedback and goal setting may help improve workplace behaviour in relation to energy consumption”.
How goldeni can help
The study highlights the importance of detailed feedback in encouraging impactful change among office workers. To provide this feedback in a real-world setting, a constant data stream is required and technology such as goldeni could be instrumental in providing the necessary metering and monitoring.
Using a series of sensors that monitor internal conditions and metering solutions that provide data on the consumption of buildings and individual assets, goldeni offers a complete picture of a building’s energy use. This granular data can then be displayed for occupants on interactive dashboards.
At the same time, the goldeni dashboard delivers insights into the behavioural changes that would help to reduce energy waste and lower costs and emissions. For example, the goldeni platform can highlight instances in which lighting or HVAC was left on outside of office hours and outline the carbon emissions associated with this wasted energy to encourage a positive behavioural shift.
This study suggests that constant feedback on how an individual’s behaviour impacts consumption is integral to positively affecting workplace energy-saving change.
Our innovative IoT technology and data-led insights can automate this process and support property management teams to run commercial office buildings in a cost-effective and energy efficient way.
For further information about how goldeni can help, please contact the team at info@goldeni.com
