A Study of Awareness and Electricity Use Behaviour of On-campus Residence Students in Nigeria
Keywords:
Energy Consumption, Energy Conservation, Awareness, Impact of Energy Use Behaviour, Student’s Hostel, NigeriaAbstract
The study explored the awareness and reported energy use behaviour among higher education students in Southwestern Nigeria; examined the relationship between the level of awareness of the impact of energy use behaviour of students and also provides strategies that could be used to improve the level of awareness of stakeholders. We adopted a quantitative survey and questionnaire as instruments for gathering relevant data from end users in the study area and relevant data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that end users had low level of awareness of the negative impact of energy use behaviour 201(81.4%) and had not been trained on energy saving measures. However, they were more aware of the positive impact of energy use behaviour 194(79.0%). The analysis also showed a significant relationship between awareness and reported energy use behaviour; awareness level and turning off light when not needed (r = 0.897, p = 0.001), awareness level and shutting down all computers unless in use (r = 0.189, p = 0.044) and awareness level and leaving computer running overnight (r = 0.452, p = 0.003). The study concluded that the level of awareness of energy saving measures of electricity end users was very low and consequently a lot of energy could be wasted in return. To maximize energy saving potentials of the students, there is need for authorities in tertiary institutions to make effort to raise the awareness of everyone involved; including the management of institutions through an energy efficiency awareness programme, as this could help higher education institutions to achieve energy sustainability and reduce waste. The study developed a framework for improving and enhancing students’ awareness on the impact of energy use behaviour.
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