Research on Envelope Thermal Performance of Ultra-Low Energy Rural Residential Buildings in China

Abstract

Rural energy consumption plays an important role in energy consumption due to the improvement of rural residents’ living quality requirements in China. Ultra-low energy rural residential buildings are proposed to decrease rural energy consumption. First of all, this paper aims to provide the definition of ultra-low energy rural residential buildings, which is to reduce 50% of the building energy consumption of the rural residential benchmark building according to the Chinese standard for energy efficiency of rural residential buildings. Secondly, this paper presents the heat transfer coefficients of building envelopes of ultra-low energy rural residential buildings in the severe cold zone, cold zone and hot summer and cold winter zone in China. Based on optimized design and simulation analysis, the heat transfer coefficients of building envelopes are determined by the construction cost, energy efficiency and retrofit feasibility. Thirdly, the suitable combination of a high-performance external wall and internal wall is recommended based on carbon emission and cost efficiency. As an achievement, a technical specification for ultra-low energy rural buildings has been proposed by the China Academy of Building Research. It is beneficial to design ultra-low energy rural residential buildings in China and other countries.