Socio-Behavioural Determinants of Residential Energy Use in a Tropical Context
Evidence from the Staff Quarters of a University in Southwestern Nigeria
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Abstract
This study investigates the relative influence of socio-behavioural factors on household energy consumption in residential buildings within a tropical context, using the University of Ibadan staff quarters in Nigeria as a case study. It identifies the key socio-behavioural variables affecting household energy use and quantifies their contributions to overall variance. The study population comprised all heads of households in 1,015 residential buildings categorized into six housing design types. Stratified sampling by housing type and systematic selection of every eighth unit yielded 122 sampled buildings. Data were obtained through a structured questionnaire capturing occupants’ socio-economic characteristics, behavioural patterns, energy awareness, and appliance use. Multiple regression analysis was employed to determine the relationship between occupants’ characteristics and their energy-use patterns. Results show that behavioural factors (R² = 0.728) explain a greater share of the variance in energy use than socio-demographic factors (R² = 0.474). The findings underscore the dominant role of behavioural attributes, particularly ventilation and daylighting practices such as opening blinds and windows, in shaping energy consumption patterns. The study recommends integrating behavioural change strategies into residential energy management policies and awareness programs to promote energy efficiency in tropical urban housing.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Bode A. Orola, Adekunle A. Adeala (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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