Reducing the heating and cooling energy consumption of buildings

This research aims at proposing measures to enhance the energy efficiency of buildings in the city of Guiyang. A computer simulation study was conducted on the basis of a building model using the DeST software package. The indoor temperature and year-round heating and cooling loads were simulated. From analysis of the simulation results and taking into account the climate of Guiyang, three measures for energy efficient buildings in Guiyang are proposed. 1) Heating is a greater priority than cooling in comfortable air-conditioning system design; 2) Natural ventilation should be given priority in cooling design and adjustment during seasonal transition is important to reducing energy consumption in building cooling; 3) Insulating the building envelope and lowering the glazing ratio of walls are critical for reducing energy consumption in heating buildings. Our conclusions will be useful for guiding energy efficient building design not only in Guiyang but also in mild climatic areas of P. R. China.