Gajaba, P A P Y and Dissanayake, D M P P (2025) Barriers to implement energy efficiency strategies to heating, ventilation, air conditioning of airside system in commercial buildings in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Construction Management, 25(12), pp. 1395-1403. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
At present, debates on climate change, fossil fuel depletion, and energy saving highlight the need for a sustainable built environment to reduce energy consumption and emission trends. The Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system is a priority due to its significant share of a building's electricity consumption. While energy efficiency strategies for central air conditioning systems focus on both waterside and airside components, implementing airside efficiency strategies is notably lacking in Sri Lanka. This is a concern because airside inefficiencies lead to excessive energy use, higher operational costs, and compromised indoor air quality. Thus, the study aims to address this gap by identifying the barriers to implementing energy efficiency strategies for HVAC airside systems in Sri Lankan commercial buildings. To explore these barriers, a qualitative research approach was employed, involving interviews with 17 industry experts. The study identified 27 barriers, with key barriers being a lack of technical expertise, rapid technological advancements, misalignment with organisational objectives, limited financial resources, inadequate training and technical knowledge, and insufficient regulatory support. The insights gained from this study can assist industry professionals in enhancing HVAC energy performance and encourage further academic research on this sub-branch of HVAC systems in the Sri Lankan context.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | airside efficiency; barriers; central air-conditioning system; commercial building; energy efficiency; sustainable built environment |
| Index terms: | indoor air quality, commercial building, qualitative research, misalignment, air conditioning, climate change, interview, ventilation, strategy, fossil fuel, Sri Lanka, built environment, energy-saving, energy consumption, depletion, energy performance, electricity consumption, energy use, energy efficiency, efficiency |
| Subjects: | Geography, climate science, engineering problems, construction type, environmental resource management, performance management, management, environmental health, environmental engineering, infrastructure and transport systems, air quality, research design and methodology, data collection methods, energy systems, sustainability and energy |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Engineering Principles, Geographical Context, Sustainability, Urban Studies, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Construction Technology |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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