Abstract
The operational management and strategic interventions for energy efficiency (EE) of facilities could be optimised if interventions and decision-making processes are well integrated. Hence, this study developed a conceptual dual model for building energy performance (BEP) as a composite model based on prior theories. The theoretical study variables were interventions (technical and operational) and decision-making (management) factors (manifest variables) derived from an extensive literature review. Likewise, the constructs (latent variables) were the aggregated data of the intervention/decision-making evident factors used in the composite scale model. These constructs define the identifiable EE (management) manifest factors and classify them for standardised EE management practices. This paper describes the effects and the causal relationship between constructs derived from these factors that impact BEP via the composite scale model. An online self-administered questionnaire was used in gathering information from the occupants of selected office buildings in two countries (Nigeria and the UK). Structural equation modelling was engaged in evaluating the structure of the composite scale model that serves as a merger of isolated critical factors that affect BEP improvement. The model has four parts: the strategic driver, management policy, operational and building energy performance constructs as distinct sub-models. The results of the model evaluation reveal that the collected data fit the hypothesised dual model and have good fits. The models are not significantly different; they help investigate the fundamental relationship between the constructs. The result also reveals a strong positive correlation of management policy with strategic drivers for EE; strategic drivers with the use of building energy performance model; and management policy with operational EE practices. Path evaluation shown on the dual model specified the hypothesised causal relationship amongst constructs and strategic driver as the only significant positive mediator. Furthermore, the study integrates interventions and decision-making in a new dual model for improving BEP for diagnostic and solution purposes. Facility managers and owners could use the dual model as a strategic and tactical decision-making implement in managing low-carbon office BEP.
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Appendix Sampled survey questionnaire
Appendix Sampled survey questionnaire
Welcome to the survey on the energy performance of existing office buildings in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. This survey aims to serve as a confirmatory study on identified variables that affect building energy efficiency performances gathered from existing literature on the subject. All information given is for academic purpose and will be treated with strict confidentiality.
Thank you for your participation.
Please indicate the most applies to you.
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1.
Please indicate your country of residence
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Nigeria
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United Kingdom
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2.
Please indicate the among these buildings where you work
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Arup & Partner Nigeria head Office, Lagos Nigeria
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Centuserve Office Building, Lagos Nigeria
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Cornices Office Building, Lagos Nigeria
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RCCG Branch Office, Lagos Nigeria
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Miviti Office Building, Lagos Nigeria
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Marconi Building, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford UK
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PMI Building, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford UK
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Tindal Building, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford UK
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Ashcroft Building, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford UK
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Mildmay Building, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford UK
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3.
Please indicate your corporate status below:
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Facilities / Property managers
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MD/ CEO/ Owners
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Staff
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Student
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4.
Please, kindly indicate your academic qualification
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GSCE Level
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First Degree /HND
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Master Degree
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PhD
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Qualified professional Certification
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Other (please specify)
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5.
Please rank the following operational solutions as propelling factors for reducing building energy use. Please rate your opinion as follows: Very weak; Weak; Neutral; strong; Very strong
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Management’s use of Energy consumption model
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Regular facility’s energy audit
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Regular Assessment & Benchmarking
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6.
Please rank the following technical solutions as propelling factors for reducing building energy use; please rank your opinion as follows: Very weak; Weak; Neutral; strong; Very strong
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Strategic Sustainability Policy
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Strategic Energy Management
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Built asset management
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7.
Embedded sustainability policies combined with Strategic facilities management has been found as propelling factors for reducing building energy use, please rank your opinion as follows:
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Strongly disagreed
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Disagreed
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Neutral
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Agreed
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strongly agreed
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8.
Building energy Assessment & Benchmarking tool that incorporate the building’s portfolios (sustainability policy, strategic FM, technology & low-zero carbon option) will help inform better performance. Please indicate the level of your agreement or disagreement base on the following.
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Strongly disagreed
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Disagreed
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Neutral
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Agreed
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Strongly agreed
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9.
Regulatory Policy framework (institutional framework, building codes and standards, labelling are compelling drivers for building energy performance. Please rank your agreement or disagreement by using a scale of 1 (strongly disagreed) to (strongly agree):
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Strongly disagreed
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Disagreed
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Neutral
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Agreed
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Strongly Agreed
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10.
Facilities management (FM) is a useful tool for reducing building energy use. Please indicate your agreement or disagreement by using 1 (being strongly disagreed) to 5 (strongly agreed):
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Strong disagreed
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Disagreed
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Neutral
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Agreed
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Strong agreed
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11.
The following are perceived drivers for building energy use efficiency. Please rank your agreement or disagreement base on a scale of 1 (being strongly disagreed) to 5 (being very strongly agreed):
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Embedded Sustainability Policy & Strategic Facilities Management
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Energy performance Metrics & Indicators for Assessment & Benchmark
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Renewable energy technology option
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Strategic Energy management
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Building Energy Management Technologies
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12.
Please rank the importance of the following variables as issues affecting the commercial building energy use, using a scale of 1 (very unimportant) to 5 (being very important).
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Climate- building mitigation & adaptation and weather
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Strategic building Management-BAM
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Operational Framework: Technology, Skill, Metrics & indicators, strategic FM,
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Cultural context: Beliefs, norms, attitude, intention & Behaviour
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Barriers & driver’s context: Sustainability, FM., Market forces, asset value
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Regulatory Policy context
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Business Practices context: Ethos, Corruption, supply chain
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Low-zero carbon option: Solar PV, Solar thermal, micro-wind turbine,
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Mafimisebi, B.I., Jones, K., Nwaubani, S. et al. Application of operational-based strategic intervention model for evaluating office buildings energy efficiency performance. Energy Efficiency 14, 32 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-021-09943-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-021-09943-2