Understanding Energy Consumption Behavior in Higher Educational Facilities - فهم سلوك استهلاك الطاقة في مرافق التعليم العالي Energy consumption can be attributed to many factors; general economic conditions, energy prices, technology, and attitude towards energy use. Studies indicate that although people are often aware of the benefits of using energy efficiently, a variety of social, cultural, and economic factors often impact their behavior towards energy consumption. This research poster presents the findings of a research project to understand the behaviors, attitudes, and levels of understanding among faculty, staff, and students as related to energy use in Qatar University buildings.

1. Understanding Energy Consumption Behavior
in Higher Educational Facilities
Undergraduate Research College of Engineering
Experience Program Department of Architecture &
(UREP) Urban Planning
$ave energy.
1. Introduction 4. Discussion :
Overall 159 respondents in the five buildings
Energy consumption can be attributed to
completed the questionnaire; 18%
many factors; general economic conditions,
administrators, 21% faculty members and 60%
energy prices, technology, and attitude towards
students.
energy use.
The analyses considered differences between
Studies indicate that although people are the three population groups; faculty members,
often aware of the benefits of using energy students and administration staff towards
efficiently, a variety of social, cultural, and energy conservation behaviors and attitudes.
economic factors often impact their behavior The findings of this research focused on users
towards energy consumption. assessment of the following aspects:
This research poster presents the findings of environmental conditions and satisfaction,
a research project to understand the behaviors, lighting conditions and satisfaction, energy
attitudes, and levels of understanding among saving awareness and behaviors, and
faculty, staff, and students as related to energy willingness to take action.
use in Qatar University buildings. It was observed that:
• lights and equipment were usually left working
after working hours.
• heavy clothing was worn by users in classrooms
and offices during hot summer months due to very
Lighting Satisfaction
low temperature.
100% • occupants reported that very low temperature
90% distracts their work performance.
80%
70% • respondents suggested the need to establish of
60% recycling strategy in the university to benefit from
50% Students
40%
paper and other useful wastes.
2. Objectives 30%
Faculty
Admin
• Understand the psychological, cultural, and 20%
10%
institutional context within which energy-related 0%
decisions are made in higher educational facilities. Very satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied Very
dissatisfied
• Identify factors that influence energy consumption
behavior of higher educational facilities users.
•.Assist institutions and public agencies design and Temperature Control Satisfaction
100%
implement more effective energy-saving policies and 90%
programs. 80%
70%
• How are users’ behaviors impact energy 60%
consumption? 50% Students
40% Faculty
• How do indoor climatic conditions influence energy 30%
Admin
20%
consumption behaviors and work performance? 10%
3. Methods 0%
Very satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied Very
A multi-method approach is used in five diverse dissatisfied
buildings at Qatar University including web surveys, 5. Conclusions :
behavioral observations, environmental measures, and The findings of the study are summarized as policy
Performance affected by uncomfortable conditions
interviews. Topics covered include: 100% recommendations to improve energy conservation in
• Work station/office characteristics - type, controls (windows, 90% higher education facilities:
temperature) 80% • Develop greater awareness of energy conservation
• Users knowledge about controls, energy reduction efforts at
70%
60%
efforts.
QU, and global warming and energy depletion. 50% Faculty • More attention should be given to occupants’
• Impact on comfort/health/job performance. 40% Admin behavior as part of energy reduction efforts.
• Availability of energy-consuming equipment, work related & 30%
20%
• System-based energy conservation measures by
supplemental. 10% themselves are insufficient to reduce energy
• Willingness to take action. 0% consumption if building occupants are not actively
Data were collected using the following sources: Never Rarely Sometimes Always engaged in the process.
• Questionnaire surveys to samples of different user • Methods and tools developed by this study can be
groups. duplicated in other building types and facilities.
• Systematic observations to observe behaviors & traces “This research poster was made possible by a UREP award
& measure ambient conditions. [UREP 10 - 040 - 6 - 003] from the Qatar National Research
• Interviews with key informants and focused group Fund (a member of The Qatar Foundation). The statements
interviews with different members of QU community. made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors.”
A measuring device was used to measure the different Team Members:
environmental aspects. The device is manufactured by Faculty Members:
NIEAF SMITT Industrial Technology. The NI T8820 is a Dr. Yasser Mahgoub (PFM)
complete 4-in-1 Environment Meter for measuring light Dr. Rania Khalil
(Lux), temperature (°C/°F), humidity (RH) and sound level Students:
(dB). Israa El Shawadfy
Meyassar Sameer
Kaltham Sultan Al Kuwari
Al-Dana Al Sulatti
Abstract. QFARF-D-12-00277 Fatima Essa Al Thawadi
Noof Abdulrahman Al Mutawa