ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDING IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

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).

 Chapter one

Introduction

1.1Background of the study

Energy, it is the mainstay for socio-economic development and economic growth in Nigeria. It plays a significant role in the nation’s international diplomacy and it serves as a tradable commodity for earning the national income, which is used to support government development programmes. It also used for the production of goods and services in the nation „s industry, transport, agriculture, health and education sectors, commercial and official activities. (I.R. Aliu, 2009)

The patterns of energy usage in Nigeria’s economy can be divided into industrial, transport, commercial, agricultural, and residential buildings (household) sectors, while, the residential buildings account for over 80% of the total energy consumed in Nigeria.( N. V. Emodi, and K. J. Boo, 2015). The authors in revealed that energy used by residential buildings includes electricity, gas, diesel, kerosene, inverters, candles, lanterns, but, usage is dominated by electricity. Nigeria is endowed with sustainable energy resources and is also well endowed with renewable energy sources such as wood, solar, hydropower, and wind, yet it observed that energy utilization in Nigeria is highly inefficient. The authors in revealed using energy inefficiently have some major implications in Nigeria, the investment in major energy supply infrastructure is far more than what the energy demand is and that the environmental problems associated with energy utilization and efficiency are more heightened due to large energy consumption(B. C. Kwag, B. M, 2019).  The authors in revealed that a lot of energy is wasted in Nigeria because households use more energy than is necessary to fulfill their needs. One of the reasons is that they use old and inefficient equipment and appliances, they appear to see no need to use energy efficiently through their practice. Energy efficiency does not mean that we should not use energy, but we should use energy in a manner that will minimize the amount of energy needed to provide services.

Statement of the problem

A lot of researches have been carried out in the area of energy efficiency in a residential building, for example; the authors in assessed the level of energy culture, attitudes of residential building occupants, perceptions and pattern of energy use and observed their daily energy practices in Ireland. More so, the authors in identified the energy use pattern and behavioural aspects of energy in residential buildings in the Netherlands and Spain. Also, carried out a field trial in Mexico in which a quasiexperimental sample of new homes was provided with insulation and other energy-efficient upgrades and measured the temperature and humidity at high frequency inside residential buildings. Yet the level of awareness of energy efficiency and behavioural patterns among households is still low.

Objective of the study

The objectives of the study are;

1. To evaluating energy efficiency and behavioural patterns by various kinds of a residential building in Ekiti State
2. To examine the energy efficiency and behavioural pattern of households by examining the metering system used in various residential building types in Ekiti state
3. To identify the energy-intensive behaviour in residential buildings in Ekiti state

Research hypotheses

The following research hypotheses will be formulated;

H1: there is no energy-intensive behaviour in residential buildings in Ekiti state

H2: there is no efficiency and behavioural patterns by various kinds of a residential building in Ekiti State

Significance of the study

The study will be very significant to students and policy makers. The study will give a clear insight on the energy efficiency of residential building in Ekiti state. The study will serve as a reference to other researcher that will embark on the related topic

Scope of the study

The scope of the study will covers energy efficiency of residential building. The study will be limited to Ekiti state

Limitation of the study

Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work

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