Energy Efficiency of Residential Building in Ekiti State, Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To evaluating energy efficiency and behavioural patterns by various kinds of a residential building in Ekiti State
- To examine the energy efficiency and behavioural pattern of households by examining the metering system used in various residential building types in Ekiti state
- To identify the energy-intensive behaviour in residential buildings in Ekiti state
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Energy efficient buildings
Interest in environmentally responsible buildings commenced around the middle of the last century owing to the ambition of several communities that advocated green buildings consequent to the need for an ecological world (Charles, 2008) After few years, embargo by OPEC resulted in energy crisis. This led to the promotion of regulations to minimize energy consumption by buildings (Berardi, 2013) and the use of energy consumption as a yardstick for measuring building sustainability. Up until now, energy performance is mostly used to assess the sustainability of buildings (Cole, 2004; Berardi, 2012). Ball et al. (2011) argued that energy reduction is a major focus of mitigating the effect of climate change. Energy efficiency refers to using less amounts of energy to achieve results that have been achieved with a certain quantity of energy. It means using energy in a way that reduces the quantity of energy required to provide building services (Etiosa, 2009; Chung et al, 2006). Energy efficient buildings has been defined as those buildings that strives towards the lowest possible energy requirements with reasonable utilisation of resources using energy efficient measures (Radhi, 2008). Energy efficiency can be regarded as the first step toward achieving sustainability in buildings. It helps to minimise rising energy costs, enhance the value and competitiveness of buildings and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emission
Factors that affects energy demand of buildings
Energy consumption in buildings can be influenced by several factors. While some of these factors are climate related, others depend on the building envelope, the materials used for construction, the technologies involved, and the building space usage. According to Cowan et al. (2014), the factors that affect energy and cooling demand of buildings include building orientation, building occupancy profile, internal heat gains, external environment, comfort levels and temperature set points. This paper centres on building orientation, glazing types and shading devices based on the effects of the sun.
Building orientation
An appropriate building orientation will support energy reduction through passive solar heating and cooling, day lighting and natural ventilation. To achieve energy efficiency, building orientation should take good advantage of solar radiation and the prevailing wind. A good understanding of building site by designers is necessary to achieve proper orientation (Ochedi et al, 2016). In hot and humid climates, buildings should be designed so that the short side face East and West (FMPWH, 2016). Design should avoid or minimize placement of windows on the East and West façades of buildings (Al-Tamini, 2011; Mirrahimi et al., 2016).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine energy efficiency of residential building. Selected residents in Ekiti state forms the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain energy efficiency of residential building. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of energy efficiency of residential building
Summary
This study was on energy efficiency of residential building in Ekiti state. Three objectives were raised which included: To evaluating energy efficiency and behavioural patterns by various kinds of a residential building in Ekiti State, to examine the energy efficiency and behavioural pattern of households by examining the metering system used in various residential building types in Ekiti state and to identify the energy-intensive behaviour in residential buildings in Ekiti state. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected residents in Ekiti state. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
Based on the findings of the study, it is, therefore, concluded that level of usage of the prepaid meter is very low in the study area, most of the residential buildings in the study area make use of postpaid meter and that energy-intensive activity are more prevalent in post-paid metered households compared to prepaid metered household, hence, the metering system directly account for disparities in energy-intensive domestic activities in the study area. This study also found that the most significant barriers that hinder the effective implementation of energy efficiency measures were lack of implementation of energy policy, ignorance among energy users of the importance of efficient energy use in buildings and lack energy efficiency awareness. If the energy efficiency measures are to be implemented in residential building, then there is need for the adoption of measures such as raising energy efficiency awareness campaign, the introduction of the energy-efficient metered system and implementation of energy efficiency policy. It is believed that the findings of this study will go a long way in contributing to the adoption of energy efficiency measures in residential building and minimize energy-intensive activities in a residential building in Ekiti state
Recommendation
This study confirmed that appropriate design of buildings based on excellent understanding of the sun and its path could help to reduce high energy need, poor energy supply and distribution, energy poverty and over dependence on electric generators for power supply in Nigeria. Hence, there is enormous opportunity for design professionals, homeowners and other stakeholders in the building industry to reduce energy demand by buildings thereby improving thermal comfort.
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