Building energy efficiency

The task of building energy conservation is complex and challenging. It involves governments, businesses, and the public, as well as multiple industries and sectors. It applies to both new and old buildings, making implementation quite difficult. In the early stages of promoting energy efficiency, cost and feasibility must be carefully considered. From past experiences, it has become clear that simply applying basic measures and methods is not enough to meet energy-saving targets. This calls for deeper research, more comprehensive strategies, and a clearer understanding of the core issues involved.

New constructions must strictly adhere to energy-saving standards, with no room for ambiguity. For existing buildings, more effort and diverse approaches are needed. Pilot projects should be promoted, following the principle of "start with the easy, then move to the difficult, and prioritize public and private buildings first." During construction, attention should be given to key areas such as wall and window insulation, which are common sources of energy loss. Buildings that can utilize solar power should integrate this resource into their design, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics. Water recycling systems and the reuse of construction materials should also be widely implemented to maximize resource efficiency.

For new buildings, if the legal framework, technical standards, and supportive policies are in place, achieving a 50% energy-saving standard is feasible. However, reaching higher levels like 65% or 75% remains a challenge for many cities. This requires improved management of insulation materials and stricter technical guidelines. Retrofitting older buildings and heating systems is even more complicated, requiring coordinated planning, phased implementation, and financial incentives such as subsidies to speed up the process. New buildings should fully comply with energy standards without any gaps, while existing buildings should be renovated in an orderly manner—starting with public and commercial buildings before moving to residential ones.

Building energy conservation is a systemic project that demands comprehensive policies, strict enforcement, and standardized regulations. Technical, product, and management standards must be aligned to ensure effective monitoring and implementation. Support for new technologies, processes, equipment, and materials is also necessary to drive market adoption. Ultimately, by working together across all levels of government and relevant departments, China can successfully achieve its energy conservation goals.

As a large developing country with a massive construction industry, China builds over 1.7 to 1.8 billion square meters of housing annually—more than the total built by all developed countries combined. With the push for a well-rounded society, the construction sector has grown rapidly, leading to a sharp increase in building energy consumption. This includes heating, air conditioning, hot water, lighting, and other energy uses, with heating and cooling accounting for 60% to 70% of total usage. Despite this, only 1% of China’s 40 billion square meters of buildings are energy-efficient. The rest are high-energy-consuming structures, with heating energy use two to three times that of similar countries. Poor insulation is a major issue, with two-thirds of heating energy lost through inefficient building envelopes.

China's per capita energy resources are limited. Its arable land is just one-third of the global average, and water resources are only a quarter. Coal reserves make up 11% of the world’s total, and oil accounts for 2.4%. Every year, the production of solid clay bricks destroys 120,000 mu of fertile land. Material consumption is 10% to 25% higher than in developed countries, and wastewater reuse is only 25%. Building energy conservation is essential for sustainable development. If current trends continue, building energy demand will outpace energy production, forcing costly retrofits later. Improving building efficiency can ease energy shortages and support long-term economic growth. Thus, building energy conservation is a vital step toward sustainability, national energy goals, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with global trends.