The impact of the behaviour of individual users in single-family households on the values of internal heat gains in a building

The aim of this study is to analyse the presence and activity of users in individual households by means of quantitative and qualitative research – questionnaires and interviews. The users’ behaviour has a significant impact on the thermal-flow processes taking place in the building, so their verification, ultimately, makes it possible to reduce the difference between the calculated and actual energy consumption of the building. The literature review revealed a lack of updated building occupancy schedules, which changed significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the data collected, 6 household occupancy profiles were proposed, which, when combined, form a model describing behaviours (occupancy profile, profile of electrical appliances, lighting, natural ventilation, heating installations and supporting appliances). The model took into account the effect of internal heat gains on the energy balance of the building, including the working system – home office mode. The collected data was fed into a reference building model and an hourly dynamic simulation was carried out using commercial DesignBuilder software. Using outdoor climate parameters for selected cities, the reference building's annual heat demand was demonstrated and an assessment of the building’s indoor microclimate was provided. The multi-criteria empirical approach resulting in a set of revised data can be generalised and adapted to a larger group of actors, a selected area and a building.