INFLUENCE OF BUILDING ENERGY CONSUMPTION ON GLOBAL WARMING AND RISE IN INDOOR TEMPERATURE IN ENUGU METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Abstract

Global warming and increase in indoor temperature are one of the greatest challenges that confront mankind in the present millennium. The problem has continued to dominate public debates in terms of the causes, potential impacts and possibly adaptation strategies. In this study the influence of building consumption on global warming and increase in indoor temperature is evaluated. The aim is to evaluate how building energy consumptions affect global warming and increase in indoor temperature within the tropical region. Research design adopted was survey research to guide the researcher on the size of the sample size and the variables needed. Survey research design was used because of its flexibility. Sample size was determined from target population using Taro Yamane formula.  Data were collected using structured questionnaires in a four-point Likert scale to enable the researcher to measure the degree of the respondents’ agreement with the issues raised in research questions. Descriptive statistics specifically Frequency Distribution Tables were used to analyze the data collected.  From the findings of the study, it was concluded that the building energy consumption has a significant influence on greenhouse gas emissions. High concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is a major cause of global warming and rise in indoor temperature. Building energy consumption which is much dependent on burning of fossil fuel would have negative influence on the thermal comfort of building occupants in Enugu metropolis at long run. The recommendation was building sector should not only rely more on passive means of ventilation but also should embark on massive turn-around to the use of clean and renewable energy sources.