Investigation on Energy Consumption in Rural Residential Buildings during Heating Season in Severe Cold Areas in Northeast of China

By measuring practical temperature and performing questionnaire surveys, this paper investigates the energy consumption and existing indoor thermal condition in rural residential buildings during heating season in severe cold areas in northeast of China. Research is conducted on the characteristics of heating and energy consumption in rural residential buildings in severe cold areas from heating system such as Chinese "kangs", rustic heaters, stoves and heated walls. The main results in the paper can be summarized as follows: (1) The remarkable characteristic of thermal environment in rural residential buildings is the uneven distribution of temperature both in one room and in different rooms; (2) Installation of insulation layers can effectively improve indoor thermal environment; (3) Income level of rural residents is the main factor that influences indoor thermal environment; (4) The main ways of heating are Chinese "kangs", rustic heaters, stoves and heated walls in rural residential buildings in severe cold areas. These factors and laws obtained can influence the energy consumption in rural residential buildings in heating season in severe cold areas in northeast of China. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.