Adaptive Energy Behaviours of Thermal Comfort under Grid Instability among Shopping Malls in Ghana

Abstract

Frequent grid instability in Ghanaian cities poses a substantial challenge to energy efficiency in commercial buildings, mostly shopping malls. Whereas technical remedies such as smart devices, energy-saving systems and backup generators have been widely adopted by consumers and examined in the literature, there is a critical gap in research on tenant or occupant perceptions and behaviours during grid instability. This study closes this gap by assessing the influence of thermal comfort, trust in technology and awareness of energy systems on tenant satisfaction and adaptive energy behaviour in shopping malls in Ghana. Grounded in the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, the study adopted a quantitative approach in surveying 202 tenants across four major shopping malls in Accra and Kumasi. Multiple linear regression and Binary Logistic regression models showed that thermal comfort is the strongest predictor of tenant satisfaction, whereas awareness is the strongest predictor of adaptive behaviour. Trust in adaptive technologies also recorded a positive effect on both outcomes. In particular, frequent grid instability reduced the likelihood of adaptive responses, indicating signs of resilience fatigue among tenants. Also, demographic variables such as age and education further shaped user engagement, while income had a marginal effect on adaptive behaviours. The study recommends a user-responsive energy approach such as energy awareness campaigns and transparent backup systems for shopping malls in Ghana.