ADOPTION OF ENERGY ECONOMICS PRINCIPLES FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Construction industry is a special one in comparison with other industry. It possesses the function of diverse materials and methodologies in which they are assemble to form final product known as building and infrastructure. These materials and processes are mostly traditional and noneffective in reducing consumption of energy in building which contributes more to emission of greenhouse gasses and global warming. Therefore, with the ultimate aim of reducing consumption of energy in building, the study assessed the adoption of Energy Economics Principles for Construction Projects with a view to check the awareness, usage and readiness to use in Nigeria Construction Industry. Primary data were collected through the administration of questionnaires to Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Builder, Mechanical Engineer and Electrical Engineer. A total of Three hundred and forty (340) were administered using convenience sampling techniques; two hundred and sixty-three (263) of them were returned and found suitable for analysis, representing a response rate of 76%. The data collected were analysed using Percentile, Mean item score and Factor Analysis. The result reveal that among listed energy economics principles, window blinds, timber panels, structural insulated panels, led light energy panel, HVAC, Photovoltaic solar panels are among the most aware, currently used and readiness to use. The study revealed that the drivers of adopting energy economics principles are two important cluster groups which are implementation drivers and advocating drivers. The implementation drivers are access to loans and grants, energy efficiency ratings, establishment of minimum standard for energy efficient materials. While advocating drivers are seminar and training; energy-efficiency as curriculum in tertiary institutions among others. The study further revealed that the barriers of adopting energy economics principles can be classified mainly into two groups which are Market related barriers, Synergy barriers, Technical barriers and Implementation barriers while the benefits to adopting energy economics principles are sustainability related benefits and building life-cycle related benefits. Based on findings , the study recommends that that adequate attention should be devoted to enlightenment of construction professionals on the importance of adopting energy economics principles; roundtable discussions on acceptable framework for implementation of energy economics principles involving discussions with academic community and construction professionals; Also there should be encouragement to developers through grants and loans for willing people ready to construct energy efficient homes. This study was limited to adoption of energy economics principles, further research can be done to examine the embodied energy in construction materials.