The Inclusion of Smart Technology Criteria into Malaysian Green Residential Assessment Tools

Abstract

Residential sector is ranked as the most significant energy consumer, and the contributes to adverse environmental effects. A high level of energy consumption with high levels of embodied carbon dioxide (CO2) leads to an increase in CO2 emissions. As the existing Malaysia green building assessment tools was lack of smart technology criteria. Utilizing smart technology may able to cut down the daily utility’s consumption as an alternative to conventional home has the potential to decrease CO2 emissions. A smart technology may ably reduce a home energy and water consumption up to 40% compared with a conventional home. The smart technology application is getting popular in the green housing especially in residential building construction due to its more efficient, lowering utilities cost and environment-friendly. Hence, the primary objective of this study was to identify the existing criteria in evaluating green residential. This research employed a mixed methods approach via a comparative analysis and quantitative approach, involving questionnaire surveys directed at Green Building Index Facilitators in Malaysia, and the collection of secondary data from sources such as articles, journals, and the websites of smart technology to complement it. The findings indicated that there were nine significant elements towards smart technology criteria in the construction industry, and investigated the acceptance of smart technology criteria in green residential. However, the smart technology promotes a lot of benefit to make a home greener and sustainability.