Analysing the challenges of designing Nearly Zero Energy Buildings and retrofitting of the existing housing stuck in Nigeria: A study of South-Eastern Nigeria.

Abstract

In recent times the aim of building has gone beyond providing shelter and security to being more sustainable and responsive. The net Zero Energy Building (nZEB) concept has recently gained prominence worldwide, however, it is still at a nascent stage in Nigeria. Use of conventional energy sources in Nigeria, such as gasoline electric power generator among others encourages nZEBs design in Nigeria to limit the effects from use of dirty energy sources. Its large scale adoption and implementation will potentially contribute greatly to greening of the building sector in Nigeria and the world at large. Notwithstanding the great need for nZEBs in Nigerian, designing and retrofitting of the existing housing stuck has been stalled by a lot of challenges. The main objective of this research is to analyse the challenges of achieving perfect nZEBs in Nigeria. Data was sourced through questionnaires administered to designers and the built environment professionals. The finding of the paper is that there is a very strong correlation at 0.000 between training on nZEBs as a professional and consideration of energy consumption in building in the study area. The paper concludes, after analysing data collected, by recommending Passive building energy strategy as a viable solution to reduce high energy use in buildings in the study area in the event where other strategies to achieve nZEBs failed. The paper also recommend that the Nigerian University Commission should as a matter of urgency include in her curriculum Nearly Zero Energy Building courses or program to increase awareness and improve quality of design professionals graduates.