The development of energy efficiency estimation system for domestic housing by using quality function deployment approach

• Main Author: A. Rahman, Khairunnisa
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: HD Industries. Land use. Labor; HD9502-9502.5 Energy industries. Energy policy. Fuel trade
• Online Access: http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/7867/2/24p%20KHAIRUNNISA%20A.%20RAHMAN.pdf; http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/7867/1/KHAIRUNNISA%20A.%20RAHMAN%20COPYRIGHT%20DECLARATION.pdf; http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/7867/3/KHAIRUNNISA%20A.%20RAHMAN%20WATERMARK.pdf; http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/7867/

In this modem era of globalization, energy is regarded as a precious resource. In Malaysia, the domestic sector is the third largest consumer of energy and it has an impact on energy consumption in the country. Thus, energy efficiency and cost effectiveness are the key factors in maintaining economic growth. The purpose of this study is to develop the Energy Efficiency Estimation System (EEES) that considered the consumer needs. In the preliminary stage of this study, the response from 408 respondents about their energy awareness in terms of two components: i) knowledge, and ii) practice, was determined through the use of questionnaires in a survey on energy. The results showed that consumers have the highest knowledge about energy awareness, but they do not put that knowledge into practice. Testing and measurements of energy efficiency were also carried out to prove that the use of highly efficient electrical appliances can reduce electricity consumption at home. The tests were conducted on five types of electrical appliances for which it is mandatory to have the Energy Star Rating in Malaysia. Next, the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) approach was adopted in the system design in order to develop the system. The QFD approach focuses on the consumer's opinion on how the system should be developed. The selection of consumers was based on the residential areas in four main zones (South, North, East, and West) in Peninsular Malaysia. 184 respondents participated in this survey. The database for the developed system was related to the energy usage of electrical appliances based on the data obtained from the relevant ministry/agencies such as the Energy Commission, and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). The developed system was verified by means of its implementation in 30 houses in Larkin, Johore. The results showed that 66.7% of the respondents who fully applied the EEES were able to reduce their energy consumption by up to 30% within a month. By considered the knowledge and practice among consumers, the EEES was successfully developed by using the QFD approach and this system allow users to self-manage energy consumption by estimating energy efficiency and the energy saving percentage.