Behavioural Approach to Electrical Energy Management in Residential Buildings for Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated behavioural approach to electrical energy management in residential buildings in Niger State, Nigeria. The study adopted cross sectional survey research design. The population of the study was 191,416 heads of households in residential buildings that are connected to the distribution network in 25 Local Government areas of Niger State. The sample for the study consisted of 1,290 heads of households, drawn through Multistage Sampling Techniques. Two research questions were formulated to guide the study. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 19) was used for data analysis. Mean and Standard Deviation were used to answer the research questions. The finding of the study shows that, consumers in Niger State rarely adopted the following human behavioural practices; utilization of low wattage lamp to provide required light, usage of appropriate colour for walls and ceilings for better illuminations, switching off light when not in used and they also practiced electrical energy load management habits at very high extent; ironing of cloth at the peak period and utilization of incandescent and halogen bulbs during peak period. It was recommended among others that; Policy and law makers with a sense of urgency should formulate policies and laws that will help in changing human behaviour and there should be more awareness on electrical load management habits among residents in order to cultivate positive practices towards energy usage during the peak period of electricity usage.