POTENTIAL BARRIERS AND DRIVERS TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

Energy efficiency is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to reduce electrical energy consumption, however, the outcomes of these energy efficient measures are not being realised due to various barriers. Barriers are obstacles that prevent the realization of energy efficiency after the implementation of energy efficient technology. While barriers inhibit the benefits of energy efficiency, drivers promote energy efficiency and help reduce energy consumption and increase return on investment. Barriers need to be understood so that effective drivers can be identified and successfully implemented. The aim of this article is to qualitatively review the relevant literature to identify potential barriers to energy efficiency in commercial buildings within the South African context and then propose a taxonomy of potential barriers, ranking them from most critical to least critical. This article uses previous research to identify drivers to energ y efficiency. The identification of these barriers and drivers can be used by policy makers to further implement regulations to enhance and promote energy efficiency. Landlords, stakeholders and building owners can take precautionary measures in terms of these when implementing energy efficient measures. Energy efficient system designers can also foresee these barriers and put in place drivers to limit the barriers.