Architect's perception on the challenges of building energy efficiency in Ghana

Abstract

Purpose -Building energy efficiency is an inescapable part of the solution to Africa's sustainable development; its implementation can result in cost effective ways that can contribute to economic and social development as well as environmental sustainability. Despite this, a number of factors including financial barriers and market barriers are perceived by policy makers and building designers to influence the efficient use of energy in buildings. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceptions of architects in relation to the challenges of building energy efficiency in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach -From a review of pertinent literature 18 factors were identified as challenging. Empirical investigation was carried out using survey questionnaire. The consideration of overlapping aspects of the study largely motivated the use of factor analysis to analyse the data which made it possible to make scientific deductions and built explanations from the results. Findings -The study derives five brands of uncorrelated variables that better explains challenges faced in implementing building energy efficiency in Ghana. These variables include financial barriers, information barrier, private sector participation, behavioural barriers and production barrier. The study provides insight on the contextual provision of realities faced in implementing building energy efficiency in Ghana. Originality/value -Key contribution of the paper to the body of knowledge is manifested in the use of the principal component analysis. This has rigorously provided understanding into the complex structure and the relationship between the various knowledge areas of building energy efficiency barriers in Ghana.

Impediments to the development of the green building market in sub-Saharan Africa: the case of Ghana

“…The results suggest that stakeholders of the construction industry lack the understanding and the knowledge of this principle, hence affecting their demand for them. For example, with regard to building energy efficiency in Ghana, most clients are not knowledgeable about the benefits, neither is there incentive to even know about such benefits nor demand for them (Addy et al , 2014). The lack of detailed understanding of the GB concept has led to many misconceptions about the process and most importantly it benefits.…”

“…The population comprised of building consultants in Ghana with knowledge of GB in Ghana. Due to the difficulty in accessing a sampling frame and also getting responses from various professionals within the study milieu, the study adopted a non-probability sampling technique, that is, snowball sampling (Addy et al , 2014; Ashiboe-Mensah et al , 2011). Patton (2001) argues that non-probability sampling can also be used in selecting a representative sample and consequently reducing bias associated with this sampling technique.…”

Underlying indicators for measuring smartness of buildings in the construction industry

“…Few researchers have encouraged smart buildings in Ghana, in the context of energy efficiency (cf. Koranteng 2010; Koranteng and Mahdavi, 2011;Addy et al, 2014;Addy et al, 2017;Sarfo, 2016;Gyamfi, 2018;Chan et al, 2018;and Ahiabor, 2019). In order to adopt the smart building model, it is important to identify the indicators of a building's smartness, even though it may differ from region to region or country to country.…”

Determining the retrofit viability of Vancouver’s single-detached homes: an expert elicitation

“…Several studies undertake expert elicitation with the goal of understanding retrofit drivers or modelling them. Addy et al (2014) conducted principal component analysis on a questionnaire dataset received from 57 local architects when studying the perceived barriers and drivers to retrofits in Ghana. The questionnaire asked the architects to rate the importance of 18 barriers to retrofit identified in the literature.…”