Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to seek ways to improve energy efficiency in the residential building sector of Nigeria. This is necessary so as to promote a wider scope of energy efficiency practice in order to reduce energy demand on the central power supply of the nation and as well-attain reasonable level of energy security.
Design/methodology/approach
– However, the objective of the study is to propose a strategic plan (scheme) of energy efficiency practice for the housing sector of the Nigerian economy. To accomplish this task, a review of the main issues of energy efficiency; the current energy situation in Nigeria; and the challenges to implementing energy efficiency in the country was undertaken.
Findings
– Finally, remedial measures to achieving energy efficiency in the Nigerian households were proffered by the provision of a “strategic scheme” to be accomplished by the government and the housing stakeholders.
Research limitations/implications
– It is evident that a strategic plan or framework must be put in place in order to overcome the challenges of energy efficiency in the residential building sector. And this framework is to adequately address the issues of design practice, the efficiency of appliances in use and the housing occupant behaviour.
Practical implications
– The main goal is the attainment of energy-efficient households in Nigeria through the application of EE practice strategies.
Originality/value
– The study highlights on the energy development level of the country. It has also identified the numerous barriers as well as the principal actors to achieving energy-efficient households in Nigeria. After all, the suggested “plan of action” as provided in the scheme is to serve as a benchmark and reference point to the government, the housing stakeholders as well as the housing occupant for the attainment of energy efficiency.
This paper presents the results of a questionnaire survey on the use of air conditioners in houses in Surabaya, Indonesia, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The objective of the survey was to clarify what temperature and humidity levels people in these regions prefer in order to feel comfortable, with special focus on their sleeping environment. This was determined through survey responses and by measuring the thermal environments in their bedrooms. The questionnaire file was distributed to 64 university students in Surabaya and 65 in Kuala Lumpur. The students interviewed their family members and described their own experiences in their daily lives at home. The survey results show that the respondents set their air conditioners at very low temperatures. They also show that more than half of the respondents reported a cold or cool thermal sensation while using the air conditioner. Many respondents also reported various health problems and feeling cold while they were sleeping.
This paper proposes strategies for reducing energy consumption for cooling in residences in hot and humid climates. Based on the results of fieldwork measurements and questionnaire surveys, a simulation of indoor thermal environments in consideration of air conditioner operation was carried out, in order to evaluate energy consumption by air conditioners. This simulation program takes into account both heat and moisture transfer in building materials. In order to simplify the calculation and due to lack of measurement of ventilation volumes, the ventilation volumes are assumed as constant values depending on open or closed windows. The combined effects of building air-tightness and the opening time of windows for ventilation were examined. Making an entire building airtight results in a small reduction in energy consumption, as the air-conditioned area increases. Meanwhile, simply making an air-conditioned room airtight is more effective for reducing cooling energy consumption. Irrespective of this, nighttime ventilation of non-air-conditioned spaces is quite effective in reducing sensible cooling load. Thus, introduction of not only a high degree of insulation but also air-tightness along with well controlled ventilation is required to achieve energy savings in hot and humid climates.
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