Plug loads—the energy consumed by what building users plug into a socket rather than the energy it takes to heat or light a room—illustrates how much end-users impact overall building energy use. To be able to achieve a Net-Zero Energy Building, the ‘plug load problem’ should be incorporated into early energy modeling for the building. In addition, creating an education process whereby end-users (if known) understand the effects of their actions on overall building energy use is a key step towards achieving the highest level of green standards.
Plug loads illustrate how much end-users impact overall building energy use.
Links:
[1] http://citiesspeak.org/2012/12/14/elevating-the-principles-of-net-zero-buildings-to-teach-us-about-building-sustainable-communities/
[2] http://www.bdcnetwork.com/sites/default/files/plug1.jpg
[3] http://www.bdcnetwork.com/sites/default/files/slideshow-images/plug1.jpg
