Using smart thermostat override data to provide insights for improving heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system scheduling in a portfolio of small commercial buildings

Managers of small commercial building (SCB) portfolios need to understand occupant interactions with heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In Canada, SCBs are currently underserved by energy conservation and thermal analysis tools because of their dispersion and lower payback potential. However, the emergence of smart thermostats (STs) and their central data collection platform provide a cost-effective solution to gather data from portfolios of SCBs and improve our understanding of occupant-HVAC interactions. This article analyzes the relationship between HVAC schedules (temperature set-points), indoor thermal conditions (dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity), and occupant behavior (thermostat overrides) in a portfolio of 30 SCBs in Ontario, Canada. The results reveal that temperature set-points were not properly selected in the portfolio of SCBs, leading to a large range of indoor thermal conditions and increased thermostat overrides. Specifically, the study demonstrates that building- and zone-specific HVAC schedules are necessary to minimize discomfort and reduce energy consumption in the portfolio of SCBs. The findings of this study can provide valuable insights for portfolio managers to improve HVAC schedules in a manner that reduces energy consumption and GHG emissions while accommodating occupants’ thermal comfort and productivity.