Knowledge transfer from professionals to end-users in the building hand-over phase

Panel: 9. Consumption and behaviour

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Judith Thomsen, SINTEF Building and Infrastructure, Norway
Åshild Hauge, SINTEF Building and Infrastructure, Norway

Abstract

"Evaluation of housing with low energy need" (2012–16) studied building process, measured energy use, indoor climate, user experience in 7 low-energy housing areas in Norway. Interviews with professionals involved in the construction processes and with the occupants of these houses are the main data source used in this paper. Previous studies found that there are gaps between calculated and measured results of energy use and indoor air temperature in new low energy buildings. Gaps are often especially high within the adjustment phase of the first year(s). The hand-over phase and the following period is critical for the occupant`s adaption to and adaptation of the performance of buildings. In this phase, occupants develop their way of interacting with the new home. Level of information provision relates to positive or negative end-user experience. This paper aims to investigate what is happening in the hand-over phase and how this phase influences the occupants` knowledge on the buildings` intentions/technology. Main questions: How is knowledge on the building / technology transferred from the professional to the occupant in the building hand-over phase? How does the occupants` knowledge and information on technologies contribute to reported use, and thus shaping of habits in the new housing environment? The findings indicate that there are unused opportunities in the hand-over phase, where professionals can contribute better to enabling the occupants as active / conscious agents in controlling, understanding and using their new environment. A greater focus on motivating professionals' for knowledge transfer and occupants` practices may contribute to shaping behaviour / habits that reduce use-gaps in the first phase and that may also lead to better correspondence of energy- and comfort- related behaviour and consumption over a long-term period. The above described is analysed within framework of theories on occupants' practices on comfort-related behavioural issues.