Investigating Energy Efficiency in Residential Buildings Through Residents’ Perspectives: A Case Study of Two Apartment buildings in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Existing building stock in Saudi Arabia is a major contributor to energy consumption, with residential buildings alone consuming half of the electricity generated by the national grid. Notably, various studies have identified key contributors to high-energy consumption and retrofitting potentials in residential buildings. Most of the works have attempted to identify key contributors to high-energy consumption in residential buildings, as well as strategies and potential for energy saving retrofits. However, limited attention has been given to the social perspective, particularly in exploring energy efficiency from residents’ experiences to identify key factors influencing energy consumption and the challenges of optimising energy efficiency, particularly in apartment buildings, to gain a deeper understanding. This study employs a qualitative research method using a dual case study approach, focusing on two apartment buildings. Data is collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically. The study findings identify key factors influencing energy consumption in the investigated apartment buildings, including building characteristics such as exterior fabric, position, and unit design, as well as the high usage of air conditioning and essential home appliances like lighting and washing machines, the human’s energy-saving habits, and temporary residency. This study also identifies the potential for fabric upgrades, including insulation improvements, window replacements, and the integration of photovoltaic (PV) panels. However, these upgrades are hindered by significant challenges such as resident’s financial constraints, logistical barriers, and legal restrictions arising from the presence of multiple tenure types within the same building. The findings show that excluding existing residential buildings from energy conservation measures to retrofit, along with a lack of financial aid for upgrades and minimum standards for rentals, may result in continued high- energy consumption. This underscores the need to include existing buildings in policy reforms.