Application of Dynamic Numerical Simulation to Investigate the Effects of Occupant Behaviour Changes in Retrofitted Buildings

The term rebound effect is commonly used in literature to identify the gap between the estimated and the real energy savings due to changes in the occupant behaviour after a building energy retrofit. In the present article, the rebound effect for some Italian residential building types is investigated through dynamic simulation. The energy efficiency measures determining the highest rebound effect are identified and discussed. The results point out that the major renovation generally leads to the highest benefits as the efficiency measures are mutually reinforced. In contrast, single measures may lead to the opposite goal of increasing the energy consumption.