Critical Factors Influencing Energy Use Behaviour of Building Occupants: A Literature Review

Abstract

The wasteful and inefficient energy consumption behaviour of energy users has caused negative effects on the environment and the economy at large. It has also been found to lead to an increase in various environmental effects like ozone layer depletion, scarcity in electricity supply, increase in energy bills, global warming, and climate change. Consequently, the factors influencing this energy use behaviour becomes a crucial area of study which needs urgent attention. This paper, therefore, discusses the critical factors influencing the energy use behaviour of occupants in buildings. The methodology involves a thorough review and analysis of selected published journals. The search included journal articles, books, and conference proceedings on the factors influencing energy use behaviour of building occupants from different databases including Science Direct, Google Scholar, Research gate, Web of Science. Five (5) critical factors influencing occupants’ energy use behaviour were identified from the 71 reviewed literature. These factors are; awareness factors, personal factors, socio-demographic factors, management factors and motivational factors. The challenges faced by the environment and the ecosystem call for urgent attention to the factors that influence occupants’ energy use behaviour. This paper provides an understanding of the critical factors that can influence occupants’ energy use behaviour in buildings. The understanding of these critical factors will not only assist policymaking but will also provide knowledge of their prevalence in ascertaining their severity or benign nature.