مقاله انگلیسی رایگان در مورد کمی سازی سیستماتیک تأثیر دورکاری بر مصرف انرژی و انتشار گازهای گلخانه ای دفاتر و منازل – الزویر 2024

Abstract

Previous research has explored the impact of telework on homes and offices separately, but it is necessary to examine these domains together, as energy savings in one may be offset by increased consumption in the other. Therefore, the present study aims to fill this gap by quantifying the impact of telework on the energy use of homes and offices simultaneously. Using a medium office building reference model and four home models, the present study simulates telework scenarios from 0 % teleworking to 100 % teleworking in 20 % increments in six different Canadian climate zones in EnergyPlus. The results show homes and offices with technologies that adapt to occupancy levels (adaptable) consume less energy and produce less emissions compared to inadaptable ones. However, energy use associated with homes increases slightly due to longer hours of occupancy. Emissions associated with telework depend on the impact of telework on internal heat gains, climate zones, and sources of energy (emission factors). The results demonstrate that the increase in energy consumption associated with various teleworking scenarios ranges from approximately 0.6 %–6.1 %. Similarly, the increase in emissions varies, ranging from nearly 0.5 % to 7.6 %. The present study is the first comprehensive study that considers the home type and size and other statistical data for different Canadian climate zones. The results have major implications for employers and policymakers aiming to adopt telework as a sustainable practice. The results of this study create the foundation for future comprehensive studies on teleworker behavior, transportation, and the internet use associated with telework.

Introduction

1.1. Teleworking and occupancy
Partial occupancy in offices has become a more common global phenomenon after the COVID-19 pandemic, as many employers started offering flexible schedules with telework options [[1], [2], [3], [4]]. Teleworking has different definitions but it can be generally defined as an umbrella term referring to working outside of a traditional office by using the internet [5]. Telework is often considered a sustainable alternative to traditional work arrangements as it can potentially reduce commute or the need for office space [4]. However, recent studies have shown that the potential sustainable benefits of teleworking significantly rely on teleworkers’ behaviors and decisions for four domains of homes, offices, transportation, and the internet [4,6,7]. Among all the four domains, the relationship between homes and offices has been less studied – especially quantitatively. Thus, the literature is inconclusive about the impact of telework on homes and offices concurrently.

Offices and homes are not typically designed to adapt to partial occupancy, meaning building systems such as HVAC systems are designed for full capacity. For instance, actual occupancy pre-COVID was usually between 50 % and 70 % in office buildings while office buildings are assumed to be operating under near-full occupancy [8,9]. Consequently, studies have shown building systems normally operate at their full capacity without considering occupancy [10,11]. The disproportionate decreases in the energy use of office buildings compared to occupancy during the COVID-19 pandemic are evidence of this phenomenon [[12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17]]. Meanwhile, home energy use may increase significantly as a result of the use of more comfortable temperature setpoints or even the purchase of new HVAC equipment, like air conditioning. In part-time teleworking scenarios, such equipment may be operated every day, regardless of occupancy [6,18,19]. Therefore, it is important to have buildings that can adapt to partial occupancy [20]. As a result, there is an urgent need to quantify the impact of telework and partial occupancy on two main building types, homes and offices, under different teleworking scenarios.

Results

In this section, energy use and emissions associated with offices, homes, and their integrated net are described in Sections 3.1 Offices, 3.2 Homes, 3.3 Combined emissions of homes and offices. The results presented in the Offices and Homes sections are applicable to their respective domains.

3.1. Offices
3.1.1. Internal gains and inadaptable and adaptable offices
Fig. 12 shows the internal heat gain in W for adaptable and inadaptable offices in six different climate zones. While previous studies pointed to the impact of internal gains [22], the present study quantifies the impact. Fig. 12 shows reduced heat gains from people, equipment, lights, hot water equipment, gas equipment, and other equipment. The reduction in heat gains causes more demand for heating in buildings.