Assessing the potentials of low impact materials for low energy housing provision in Nigeria

Abstract

Due to high energy consumption by building and a resultant increasing cost, it is imperative that a solution be sought after with the aim of achieving low energy housing delivery. This study aimed at assessing the availability, knowledge and importance of low impact building materials in the delivery of low energy housing. Low impact materials suitable for low energy housing delivery and how they are locally obtained in the study areas were identified, occu-pants’ preference in the selection of low impact construction material for housing delivery were examined and the application of low impact material for low energy housing delivery in the study area were determined. The research focused mainly on three states in north cen-tral Nigeria namely; Niger, Kogi and FCT Abuja. Quantitative research method was used and weighted mean of responses were ranked in an ordinal manner from 236 respondents. The respondents were not aware of low impact materials as they were only aware and accustomed to using sandcrete blocks and burnt clay bricks. The outcome of the correlation established that the most preferred building material is the sandcrete block, showing a positive relationship with durability and structural performance as the influencers.