Energy Demand Reduction for Nigeria Housing Stock Through Innovative Materials, Methods and Technologies

Abstract

Since Michael Faraday's discovery of electrical energy, energy has become a highly sought-after worldwide commodity. This phenomenon is not exclusive to Nigeria. There has been a severe lack of grid supply in the nation, which has prevented it from meeting the rising demands of its sizable population and expanding economy. In addition to the global challenge of rising energy costs and environmental disasters, a number of factors, including a lack of interest in indigenous building technologies and materials, have contributed to the slow pace of meeting energy demand and achieving energy efficiency in the Nigerian construction industry. In a bid to improve energy efficiency and lower energy demand in Nigeria's residential building groups, this study looks into the possibilities of accomplishing energy conservation through the use of cutting-edge materials, methods, and technology. Objectively, the goal is accomplished by identifying the variables that affect how much energy is used in residential housing design, by choosing methods and technologies that will reduce energy demand in residential housing, and by evaluating the best materials and processes. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches to data collection were used in the research methodology. Through the distribution of questionnaires to respondents in the Minna metropolitan who represented the users, quantitative data was collected. There were 140 questionnaires sent, and 117 of them were returned, with an 85 to 36 female ratio of responders. Qualitatively, data were obtained from literature reviews, journal and conference papers. The study found that the energy efficiency approach uses cutting-edge tools, techniques, and technology to lower energy demand. The techniques aim to cut down on the amount of energy wasted while it is being used, and the appropriate technology aid in doing so. Accordingly, it is advised that experts and researchers in the field concentrate primarily on modifying the energy-consuming devices and their end use for energy efficiency in order to influence the demand. In order to lessen the overlap between the applications of these elements and to better meet building occupants' needs with regard to energy consumption in Nigeria, energy use demand should be taken into account from the design stage.