jailcd2020034: Simulation Study on Energy Efficiency Design Parameters of Office Buildings in Severe Cold Region of China

Abstract

The energy consumption of buildings throughout China was nearly one-fifth of total energy demand, especially in urban public sectors. In addition, office buildings occupy approximately 36% of public buildings and consume a great proportion of total building energy consumption each year, the saving potential is huge. In order to achieve a good balance between investment costs, energy demand and indoor thermal comfort, a series of simulations were conducted in severe cold region of China in Energy Plus simulation engine (EP-Launch) by using a typical office building model which established in Open Studio Sketch-Up Plug-in, to evaluate the heating, cooling and total annual energy consumption respectively. The simulation results showed that the most sensitive parameters for severe cold region of China are thickness of EPS insulation, U-value of exterior fenestration and infiltration rate, and the improvement of the thermal insulation of building envelope and decrease the infiltration rate, the total energy consumption could have large saving potential in these areas, and the U-value of exterior window should also be taken into account seriously. The optimization process could be applied to similar public buildings in other climate zones of China.