Thermostat strategies impact on energy consumption in residential buildings

• Published in: Energy and buildings 2011-02, Vol.43 (2), p.338-346
• Main Authors: Moon, Jin Woo, Han, Seung-Hoon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Building insulation; Building technical equipments; Buildings; Buildings. Public works; Climate; Energy conservation; Energy consumption; Energy efficiency; Energy management and energy conservation in building; Environmental engineering; Exact sciences and technology; External envelopes; Heating; Residential building; Residential buildings; Strategy; Thermal comfort; Thermostat strategy; Thermostats; Types of buildings
• ISSN: 0378-7788
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2010.09.024

This paper identifies the impact of thermostat strategies on heating and cooling energy consumptions in buildings, thus suggesting the importance of a database for understanding the effect of thermostat settings and for deciding energy-conscious strategies. Using computer simulation, diverse thermostat strategies – change of setback period, change of set-point temperature, and change of setback temperature – were tested parametrically in a typical USA single-family homes, located in two climate zones, namely cold (Detroit, Michigan) and hot-humid (Miami, Florida). Analysis revealed that heating and cooling systems were significant energy-consuming components in each climate zone. Accordingly, heating energy in cold climate zones and cooling energy in hot-humid climate zones have potential for matchingly significant saving. Diverse thermostat strategies (changes of setback period, of set-point, of setback temperature) demonstrated their obvious impacts on such saving. In the cold climate in particular, the heating system showed the most significant energy-saving effect via proper thermostat strategies. Proper setback period, set-point and setback temperature need to be established to achieve energy efficiency in residential buildings.