BENEFICIAL IMPACTS OF EMERGING SMART SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

It is common knowledge that the activities, processes, materials, and technologies employed in the built environment (BE) are excessively energy-intensive. It is also known that the BE is one of the critical sectors of the economy that requires holistic intervention and attention if the global sustainability agenda will be achieved. However, factors such as energy efficiency, water efficiency, waste management, and resource/materials efficiency among others are identified to be key to realizing a sustainable BE. The objective of this study is to identify the benefits of adopting and incorporating Emerging Smart Solutions (ESS) for achieving energy efficiency in the South African BE. The quantitative research method was adopted in this research study. A structured questionnaire was distributed to active construction professionals in the SACI for data collection. Descriptive and exploratory factor analysis was employed to analyze the retrieved data. Findings from the study revealed nineteen benefits of ESS for energy efficiency in their order of importance. The findings further identified reduction in air pollution, carbon footprint reduction, efficient control of energy usage, increased energy security, and market creation for energy-efficient products as the top benefits of adopting ESS. The study conclusively opined that the adoption of ESS will significantly reduce the atmospheric carbon footprint, pollution, and energy cost among others. A robust multi-disciplinary collaboration among stakeholders and political will is recommended to increase the capability of ESS to fulfill its sustainable potential in the BE.