ABSTRACT

The impact of occupancy behavior (OB) on building energy consumption and carbon emissions is significant. This study explores the characteristics of OB and its potential to reduce university dormitories’ carbon emissions in Suzhou, China. By employing the Driver-Need-Action-Systems (DNAS) framework, the study identifies factors influencing OB and analyzes them through questionnaire surveys involving 463 students (410 undergraduates and 53 master's degree students), on-site monitoring in six dormitories, software simulations, and carbon emission calculations. The findings reveal that building orientation predominantly affects lighting and air-conditioning behaviors, while floor location primarily influences air-conditioning usage, and different student categories manage windows and doors distinctly. Varying OB patterns can lead to differences as high as 59.62% in carbon emissions from the dormitories. Other factors, such as building orientation, floor location, and the number of occupants, account for differences up to 23.69%. OB emerges as the most direct and critical factor influencing carbon emissions, necessitating early integration in building design and targeted behavioral interventions during occupancy to support energy conservation and emission reduction efforts in university housing.