A Case Study on Energy and Carbon Reduction Effects through Household-Specific Plug Load Characteristics and Behavioral Changes

Purpose: This study aims to analyze residential plug load characteristics by household type and evaluate the effectiveness of behavioral intervention through energy education. The goal is to provide empirical data for user-centered energy reduction strategies in carbon-neutral buildings. Method: Households in their 20s, 40s, and 60s+ were monitored using CT sensors to isolate plug loads. Energy consumption was measured before and after customized energy-saving education. Additionally, DesignBuilder simulations were conducted to quantify the impact of plug load reduction on primary energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Result: Energy education reduced daily average consumption by 8.9% in the 40s households and 8.6% in the 60s+ households, while the 20s households showed limited reduction. However, base loads (standby power) decreased across all types, with the 20s group showing a 13% drop. Simulations showed that a 20% plug load reduction decreases total GHG emissions by up to 6.8%. The findings suggest that while behavioral intervention is effective across all ages, tailored strategies ― managing peaks for middle-aged households and addressing variability in younger households ― are essential for optimizing building energy performance.