Behavioral Measures

Overview

Behavioral measures represent low-cost, high-impact strategies for reducing HVAC energy consumption through modified occupant actions and operational practices. Studies demonstrate that behavioral interventions can reduce HVAC energy use by 10-30% without capital investment, making them among the most cost-effective conservation strategies available.

The effectiveness of behavioral measures depends on sustained engagement, feedback mechanisms, and alignment with occupant comfort expectations. Unlike equipment upgrades, behavioral strategies require ongoing reinforcement and organizational commitment to maintain energy savings over time.

Temperature Setpoint Management

Heating Season Adjustments

Reducing heating setpoints during occupied periods directly decreases energy consumption.

Setpoint reduction impact:

• 1°F reduction: 3-5% heating energy savings
• 2°F reduction: 6-10% heating energy savings
• 3°F reduction: 9-15% heating energy savings

Acceptable occupied heating setpoints range from 68-72°F depending on building type, occupant activity level, and clothing insulation. Office environments typically target 70-72°F, while industrial settings with higher metabolic rates may operate at 65-68°F.

Cooling Season Adjustments

Increasing cooling setpoints reduces compressor runtime and fan energy.

Setpoint increase impact:

• 1°F increase: 3-5% cooling energy savings
• 2°F increase: 6-10% cooling energy savings
• 3°F increase: 9-15% cooling energy savings

Occupied cooling setpoints of 74-76°F maintain thermal comfort in office environments while reducing energy use compared to traditional 72°F setpoints. Higher setpoints require attention to humidity control to maintain comfort at elevated temperatures.

Setpoint Deadband Width

Widening the deadband between heating and cooling setpoints eliminates simultaneous heating and cooling.

Recommended deadbands:

• Minimum: 5°F between heating and cooling
• Standard: 8-10°F deadband
• Extended: 12-15°F for naturally ventilated buildings

A deadband of 68°F heating/76°F cooling provides significant energy savings while maintaining comfort in most commercial applications. Narrower deadbands increase energy waste through unnecessary mode switching.

Unoccupied Setbacks

Implementing temperature setbacks during unoccupied periods reduces runtime without impacting comfort.

Typical setback strategies:

• Heating setback: 55-60°F (prevents freezing, reduces load)
• Cooling setup: 82-85°F (prevents excessive humidity, reduces cooling)
• Weekend setback: Extended periods at setback temperatures
• Holiday schedules: Maximum setback for extended vacations

Setback timing must account for thermal mass and system capacity to achieve target temperatures before occupancy. Buildings with high thermal mass require 2-4 hours of pre-conditioning before occupied periods.

Schedule Optimization

Occupancy-Based Scheduling

Aligning HVAC operation with actual building use eliminates conditioning of unoccupied spaces.

Schedule development process:

1. Survey actual occupancy patterns
2. Identify core occupied hours
3. Determine required pre-conditioning time
4. Program start/stop times with buffer periods
5. Monitor and adjust based on complaints

Typical office schedules operate 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM weekdays, with setback from 6:00 PM - 6:00 AM and all weekend. This schedule reduces HVAC runtime by 60-70 hours per week compared to continuous operation.

Zone-Specific Scheduling

Different building areas have unique occupancy patterns requiring tailored schedules.

Zone schedule examples:

• Executive offices: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Conference rooms: On-demand or scheduled use
• Retail spaces: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
• Common areas: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Server rooms: Continuous cooling with elevated setpoints

Zone scheduling requires appropriate system architecture (VAV, zoned split systems) to independently control space temperatures without affecting adjacent zones.

Holiday and Seasonal Adjustments

Special event calendars reduce unnecessary conditioning during known unoccupied periods.

Programming holiday schedules for New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas eliminates 8-10 days of full HVAC operation annually. Seasonal schedule changes accommodate daylight savings transitions and shifting occupancy patterns.

Window Shade Management

Solar Heat Gain Control

Strategic use of window shades reduces cooling loads during summer months.

Shade deployment strategies:

• East-facing: Close 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• South-facing: Close 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• West-facing: Close 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
• North-facing: Minimal solar impact, aesthetic only

Closing shades on west-facing windows during afternoon hours can reduce cooling loads by 15-25% in perimeter zones. The solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of unshaded glass ranges from 0.4-0.8, while closed interior shades reduce effective SHGC to 0.3-0.5.

Winter Heat Retention

Opening shades during winter days captures free solar heat, while closing shades at night reduces conductive losses.

Winter protocol:

• Daytime: Open all shades 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• Evening: Close shades at sunset
• Weekend: Close all shades when unoccupied

Night insulation from closed cellular shades adds R-2 to R-4 to window thermal resistance, reducing heating loads in perimeter zones by 10-15%.

Equipment Power Management

Plug Load Reduction

Non-HVAC equipment generates internal heat that increases cooling loads.

Equipment heat output:

• Desktop computer: 100-200 W
• Monitor (24"): 40-60 W
• Laser printer: 400-600 W (active), 30-50 W (standby)
• Task lighting: 60-100 W
• Coffee maker: 800-1,500 W

Turning off equipment when not in use reduces both direct electricity consumption and indirect cooling load. Every 1,000 W of plug load eliminated saves approximately 250-350 W of cooling energy in air-conditioned spaces.

Power-Down Protocols

Establishing end-of-day shutdown procedures reduces overnight plug loads.

Standard protocol:

• Computers: Sleep mode or shutdown
• Monitors: Power off
• Task lights: Turn off
• Printers/copiers: Power-saving mode
• Break room appliances: Unplug or timer control

Automated systems using occupancy sensors, timers, or smart plugs improve compliance with power-down protocols by eliminating reliance on occupant action.

Occupant Education Programs

Energy Awareness Training

Education programs inform occupants about the energy impact of their actions and proper system operation.

Training topics:

• Thermostat operation and appropriate setpoints
• Impact of open doors/windows on system efficiency
• Equipment power management best practices
• Reporting comfort complaints through proper channels
• Understanding building automation capabilities

Initial training during onboarding and annual refresher sessions maintain awareness. Educational materials should include specific actions, expected savings, and rationale for behavioral changes.

Communication Strategies

Regular communication maintains engagement and reinforces energy-saving behaviors.

Communication methods:

• Monthly energy consumption reports
• Newsletter articles on conservation tips
• Digital signage with real-time energy use
• Department-level competitions with recognition
• Success stories highlighting savings achieved

Messaging should emphasize both environmental benefits and cost savings to appeal to diverse occupant motivations. Concrete examples with quantified impacts increase credibility and engagement.

Feedback Systems

Real-Time Energy Display

Visible energy consumption data creates awareness and enables behavior modification.

Display locations:

• Building lobbies
• Break rooms
• Online dashboards
• Mobile applications
• Department-specific monitors

Effective displays show current consumption, historical trends, comparison to targets, and cost implications. Update frequency of 15-minute intervals balances data relevance with display complexity.

Benchmark Comparisons

Comparing energy use to similar buildings or historical performance provides context for conservation efforts.

Comparison metrics:

• kBtu/sq ft/year vs. building type average
• Current month vs. previous year
• Actual vs. budget
• Pre-retrofit vs. post-retrofit
• Building ranking within portfolio

Energy Use Intensity (EUI) benchmarking using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager enables comparisons to national datasets. Scores below the 50th percentile indicate opportunities for improvement.

Performance Tracking

Documenting progress over time demonstrates the impact of behavioral measures.

Tracking parameters:

• Monthly energy consumption (kWh, therms)
• Demand peaks (kW)
• Degree-day normalized consumption
• Cost savings vs. baseline
• Occupant participation rates

Tracking should isolate behavioral savings from other variables (weather, occupancy changes, equipment failures) using regression analysis or degree-day normalization.

Engagement Programs

Recognition and Incentives

Acknowledging conservation efforts reinforces positive behaviors.

Recognition methods:

• Employee/department of the month awards
• Certificates for achieving savings targets
• Public acknowledgment in company communications
• Small prizes for competition winners
• Preferred parking or other workplace benefits

Incentive programs should recognize both absolute performance and improvement over baseline to encourage participation from all starting points.

Sustainability Committees

Cross-functional teams drive continuous improvement in energy conservation practices.

Committee responsibilities:

• Develop and promote conservation initiatives
• Review energy data and identify opportunities
• Coordinate awareness campaigns
• Investigate comfort complaints
• Report progress to management

Committees should include representatives from facilities, operations, human resources, and general occupants to ensure diverse perspectives and broad organizational buy-in.

Gamification Strategies

Competition and interactive challenges increase engagement, particularly among younger occupants.

Game elements:

• Points for conservation actions
• Leaderboards comparing individuals or departments
• Badges for achievement milestones
• Challenges with time-limited goals
• Team competitions with shared objectives

Digital platforms track participation and display results in real-time, leveraging social dynamics to encourage sustained engagement.

Implementation Considerations

Organizational Support

Management commitment provides resources and authority necessary for successful behavioral programs.

Leadership must communicate the importance of conservation, allocate staff time for program development, and integrate energy performance into organizational metrics. Without visible management support, behavioral programs struggle to achieve participation rates necessary for significant savings.

Comfort Balance

Energy conservation measures must not compromise occupant health, safety, or productivity.

Thermal comfort complaints indicate that behavioral measures have exceeded acceptable limits. Comfort surveys, thermal imaging, and direct temperature monitoring identify problem areas requiring adjustment. Productivity losses from thermal discomfort can exceed energy cost savings, making comfort balance essential.

Measurement and Verification

Quantifying savings validates behavioral program effectiveness and justifies continued investment.

International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) methods isolate behavioral savings through regression analysis, comparing actual energy use to baseline models adjusted for weather and occupancy variables. Savings must exceed measurement uncertainty (typically 10-20% of claimed savings) to demonstrate statistical significance.

Persistence

Behavioral savings decay over time without reinforcement and ongoing engagement.

Studies show that behavioral savings diminish by 20-50% within 12-24 months as occupants return to previous habits. Sustained savings require continuous feedback, periodic retraining, and integration of conservation behaviors into organizational culture.

Performance Metrics

Energy savings from behavioral measures vary by building type, climate, and program intensity:

Higher savings occur in buildings with poor baseline practices, engaged occupants, and strong organizational support. Buildings with advanced automation systems show smaller behavioral savings potential, as many conservation measures are already automated.

Integration with Other Strategies

Behavioral measures complement technical energy efficiency improvements by maximizing the performance of upgraded equipment. Installing a high-efficiency chiller provides limited savings if cooling setpoints remain at 70°F and systems operate continuously. Combined strategies achieve greater total savings than individual measures implemented in isolation.

Automated controls reduce reliance on occupant actions by enforcing schedules, setpoints, and equipment sequences. However, automation does not eliminate the need for behavioral programs, as occupants can override settings, open windows, or engage in other behaviors that compromise efficiency.