Preliminary study on heating energy consumption distribution of dwellings in hot summer and cold winter climate region of China

Investigating the total heating energy consumption over the entire heating season and its distribution data can help policymakers to adequately understand the current status and development trend of heating energy consumption, as well as to formulate effective policies to improve the indoor comfort and energy performance of residential buildings. This paper aims to explore a method for obtaining the space heating energy consumption demand of dwellings to guide energy conservation and energy supply with heating. A survey questionnaire was carried out to obtain detailed information on the occupant behaviour on space heating in a multi-unit high-rise residential community in Nantong. The statistical results of some factors were obtained from the questionnaire, such as occupants' space heating behaviour, window-opening behaviour, and indoor temperature setting. Then, energy consumption by space heating was simulated and analysed based on the survey data, and the reliability of results was verified by comparing modelled results with measured energy consumption from 1625 households. The results reveal that the heating energy consumption simulation method based on occupant behaviour survey can be used to predict the distribution of the energy consumption over the entire heating season in this region and areas with similar climate.