A Comparative Analysis of Energy Performance Index (EPI) of Selected Office Buildings in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

Energy Performance Index (EPI) is a parameter used to appraise and examine office, residential and commercial building energy efficiency during design, construction, renovation and operations. Similar buildings in North America and Europe have EPI of less than 150 kWh/sq m/year. Energy-conscious building design has been shown to reduce EPI to 100 to 150 kWh/sq m/year in India.  However, this research indicates an EPI of between 21 to 41 kWh/sq m/year here in Nigeria. This gives an average of 31 kWh/sq m/year for the three (3) buildings studied. This low EPI is not unconnected with the fact that these Buildings lack HVAC equipment and other energy consuming devices that are required standards in developed and some developing regions. On the positive side, this low EPI indicates that the Carbon Emission Footprint of these buildings studied are low.

Keywords: Energy Audit, Energy Performance Index, Energy Conservation, HVAC Equipment, Office Productivity.