How can users’ behavior improve green building efficiency?

Posted by: Suelen Ribeiro // Architect/ LEED GA

Users’ behavior can achieve a considerable impact on a green building efficiency. For it to work, people need to understand why and how they can contribute to the building. Therefore, to teach, to instruct, and to motivate users to have green behavior are the main strategies. To teach users is not easy work since everybody has their own habits but when people start to raise awareness, it can be the start of new habits. Every building before occupation should consider providing a workshop to new occupants explaining the importance of their behavior and how they can achieve success as an efficient building. The following orientations would help people to work efficiently with the building:

• Turn off the lights in unoccupied areas 
• Avoid electric lights when you have enough natural light, and use LEDs for all light bulbs and lighting
• Be strategic with window coverings (promote airflow through your room and block the sun during the afternoon)
• Open windows when the weather is favorable and turn off the air conditioner, or in cold weather make sure the windows are totally closed
• Check AC filters once a month and replace regularly
• Turn off and unplug every single equipment that will not be used for a long period
• Post reminders around the building to help users

 

These are general strategies that can help any kind of building. but it is also important to analyze the building use, to find where the most energy consumption is and create a specific strategy for it since each building has their own purpose. Having a green behavior is not difficult but needs practice. Each one of us can make a big difference in our attitudes.