Perceived knowledge in operating a Passivhaus

Passivhaus is a building methodology established in the 1990s in the sustainable construction industry. As a new building typology, Passivhaus features new and integrated mechanical heating and ventilation technology and building materials, thus requires a new set of knowledge and operation skills to deliver intended energy outcomes, the knowledge and familiarity occupants possess to control their Passivhaus is therefore an important factor in determining their energy behaviours. This research explores the ‘perceived knowledge’ of occupants in controlling their home environment and its relationship with their energy behaviour and energy use. Different from actual knowledge, ‘perceived knowledge’ measures the confidence, patience, willingness and accuracy of occupants in understanding and operating their home environmental equipment. The understanding of this process is important in understanding the deviation of occupant energy behaviour which occurs in a Passivhaus when compared with in generic buildings. This article demonstrates results from a preliminary pilot study on a private Passivhaus project and a case study on a social Passivhaus project in Scotland, uses a combined method of quantitative and qualitative approach to explore the relationship between ‘perceived knowledge’ and occupant energy behaviour in Passivhaus.