Evaluation of Building Regulations in Nigeria As Regards Energy Efficiency

Abstract

Sustainable development has become very important in the world we live in today, prompting building and construction designs to be energy efficient, particularly, in the face of anthropogenic climate change. This study evaluates the regulations in Nigeria governing building energy efficiency compared to international standards, specifically the regulations found in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, this paper employed and analysed data obtained from different and relevant construction professionals to investigate the extent to which professional building firms in Abuja, Nigeria implements the different energy efficiency design strategies at their disposal. A mixed method (quantitative and qualitative) analysis approach was employed with a structured questionnaire used to gather and analyse data from 120 professionals in various architectural and engineering firms in Abuja, Nigeria. The results indicated that both the awareness and implementation levels of energy efficiency design strategies by the firms were encouraging. However, there is a need for a structured framework governing energy efficiency, especially in the high cost and luxury market. Moreover, the study result, indicated that the energy efficiency strategies that the firms were most familiar with were site planning, natural ventilation and building orientation.