A holistic investigation into the seasonal and temporal variations of window opening behavior in residential buildings in Chongqing, China

[Display omitted] •Temporal and seasonal variations of window opening in residences are explored.•Cross-sectional survey, photography and longitudinal monitoring are combined.•Window operation habits of residents are driven by natural ventilation and fresh air.•Logistic models for window opening are developed and differentiated by seasons.•Outcomes provides evidence for window operation strategies and accurate building simulation. Window operation behavior has been recognized as one of the pivotal factors affecting building energy efficiency and indoor environments. Such behavior could vary from one region to another. A holistic understanding of the temporal and seasonal variations in the operation of residential windows in the Yangtze River region remains insufficiently explored. This paper presents a multi-scale approach by combining cross-sectional surveys, photographic image observations, and longitudinal onsite measurements to investigate the window opening characteristics of residents. The advantage is being able to perform qualitative and quantitative analyses systematically upon the completion of each step. The methodology has been applied to a case study in Chongqing, China. A year-long study revealed the window operation habits of residents in this region who rely greatly on windows for natural ventilation in transient seasons and for fresh air in summer/winter, especially when heating and cooling systems are in operation. Logistic models were developed and differentiated by seasons: transient, winter, summer with natural ventilation, and summer with air conditioning. The models quantified the driving factors and their corresponding variations affecting window opening probabilities in different periods of a year. It can be integrated into building simulations with realistic profiles for more accurate prediction of energy consumption in buildings. The proposed research methodology is applicable to other regions. The gained knowledge of residents’ window operation characteristics in this region provides evidence for window operations and building designs/retrofit strategies.