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Building Simulation 2017, 10(6): 949-962 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12273-017-0387-7
Research Article | Issue | Published: 10 July 2017

A preliminary investigation of water usage behavior in single-family homes

Show Author's Information Peng Xue1,2( ),  Tianzhen Hong2,  Bing Dong3,  Cheukming Mak4
Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Built Environment and Energy Efficient Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
Building Technology and Urban Systems Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Mechanical Engineering, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
Department of Building Services Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Keywords:
data analytics, occupant behavior, water usage behavior, daily water use, residential water consumption
Cite this article:
Xue P, Hong T, Dong B, et al. A preliminary investigation of water usage behavior in single-family homes. Building Simulation, 2017, 10(6): 949-962. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12273-017-0387-7
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Abstract Full text About this article

As regional drought conditions continue deteriorating around the world, residential water use has been brought into the built environment spotlight. Nevertheless, the understanding of water use behavior in residential buildings is still limited. This paper presents data analytics and results from monitoring data of daily water use (DWU) in 50 single-family homes in Texas, USA. The results show the typical frequency distribution curve of the DWU per household and indicate personal income, education level and energy use of appliances all have statistically significant effects on the DWU per capita. Analysis of the water-intensive use demonstrates the residents tend to use more water in post-vacation days. These results help generate awareness of water use behavior in homes. Ultimately, this research could support policy makers to establish a water use baseline and inform water conservation programs.


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About this article

A preliminary investigation of water usage behavior in single-family homes

Show Author's information Peng Xue1,2( ), Tianzhen Hong2, Bing Dong3, Cheukming Mak4
Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Built Environment and Energy Efficient Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
Building Technology and Urban Systems Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Mechanical Engineering, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
Department of Building Services Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China

Abstract

As regional drought conditions continue deteriorating around the world, residential water use has been brought into the built environment spotlight. Nevertheless, the understanding of water use behavior in residential buildings is still limited. This paper presents data analytics and results from monitoring data of daily water use (DWU) in 50 single-family homes in Texas, USA. The results show the typical frequency distribution curve of the DWU per household and indicate personal income, education level and energy use of appliances all have statistically significant effects on the DWU per capita. Analysis of the water-intensive use demonstrates the residents tend to use more water in post-vacation days. These results help generate awareness of water use behavior in homes. Ultimately, this research could support policy makers to establish a water use baseline and inform water conservation programs.

Keywords: data analytics, occupant behavior, water usage behavior, daily water use, residential water consumption

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Publication history
Copyright
Acknowledgements

Publication history

Received: 14 December 2016
Revised: 16 May 2017
Accepted: 30 May 2017
Published: 10 July 2017
Issue date: December 2017

Copyright

© Tsinghua University Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany 2017

Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy of the U.S. Department of Energy under contract number DE-AC02-05CH11231. It is also part of the research activities of International Energy Agency Energy in Buildings and Communities Program Annex 66, definition and simulation of occupant behavior in buildings. The source data were provided by Pecan Street, Inc. (http://www.pecanstreet.org/), headquartered in Austin, TX. The authors thank this nonprofit research institute for allowing us access to their subscriber water usage database.

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