Building energy efficiency

Energy efficiency in buildings is a complex and challenging task that involves multiple stakeholders, including governments, businesses, and the public. It affects various industries, both new and old structures, making it difficult to implement effectively. During the early stages of promoting building energy efficiency, cost and efficiency must be carefully considered. From past experiences, it’s clear that simply introducing basic measures is not enough to meet energy-saving targets. Therefore, more thorough research and comprehensive strategies are needed to identify and address the core issues.

For new buildings, strict adherence to energy-saving standards is crucial and should not be ambiguous. For existing buildings, more effort and innovative methods are required. Pilot projects should be promoted, following the principle of starting with easier cases—such as public and commercial buildings—before tackling more complex residential ones. During construction, attention should be given to key areas like external wall and window insulation, which are common sources of heat loss. Buildings that can utilize solar energy should integrate this resource into their design for better aesthetics and sustainability. Water recycling systems and the reuse of construction waste should also be prioritized to maximize resource efficiency.

While achieving 50% energy efficiency in new buildings is feasible with proper policies and standards, reaching 65% or 75% remains a challenge in many cities. This requires stricter management of insulation materials and higher technical standards. Renovating existing buildings and heating systems is even more complex and needs coordinated efforts, supported by financial incentives and tax policies to accelerate progress. The transition should begin with public and commercial buildings before moving to residential ones, ensuring a gradual and manageable process.

Building energy conservation is a comprehensive project that demands strong policy support, clear regulations, and consistent enforcement. Technical, product, and management standards must be established to facilitate supervision and quality control. New technologies and materials should be encouraged and promoted in the market. With collaboration across all levels of government and relevant departments, China can successfully achieve its energy conservation goals.

As one of the world's largest developing countries, China has a massive construction industry, with an annual housing area of up to 1.7 to 1.8 billion square meters—exceeding the total of all developed nations combined. As the country moves toward a well-rounded society, the construction sector has grown rapidly, leading to a sharp increase in building energy consumption. Building energy use includes heating, cooling, hot water, lighting, and other systems, with heating and air conditioning accounting for 60%-70% of total consumption. However, only 1% of China's 40 billion square meters of buildings are energy-efficient, and the rest suffer from poor thermal performance. The energy used for heating is two to three times higher than in similar climates abroad, largely due to inadequate insulation.

With over 100 million square meters of new buildings added each year, the total building energy consumption has already surpassed 27% of the national total, approaching 30%. Given China's limited per capita energy resources—such as arable land, water, and coal—it is critical to improve energy efficiency. The current high-energy consumption pattern is unsustainable, and without significant changes, future energy shortages could force costly large-scale renovations. Enhancing building energy efficiency is therefore a key strategy for sustainable development, reducing emissions, and aligning with global environmental trends.