Energy consumption levels and influencing factors of residential heating and air conditioning in Shanghai

Through a questionnaire survey and on-site testing, the number and usage ratio of air conditioning and heating equipment, residents’ usage habits, energy consumption levels and indoor thermal comfort in residential buildings in Shanghai are analysed, and the trend and reasons for air conditioning energy consumption over time are discussed. The results show that the average number of air conditioners per household in residential buildings in Shanghai has steadily increased over the past ten years, and has reached 3.5 units per household in 2022. Heat pump-type air conditioners are the most commonly used heating equipment, accounting for 87% of the heating equipment in 2022. There are obvious differences in energy consumption and indoor comfort between the air conditioner heating and the gas plus radiant floor heating. The average energy consumption of air conditioner cooling, air conditioner heating, and gas plus radiant floor heating is 6.8, 4.7, 17.4 kWh/(m2·a), respectively. The indoor thermal comfort of the gas plus radiant floor heating is relatively better. From 2008 to 2022, the comfort preference of the personnel increases, the economic preference decreases, and the energy consumption of air conditioning and heating has a clear upward trend.