Bottleneck problems in further improving energy efficiency of residential buildings in northern China

Finds that the current national design standard for energy efficiency of residential buildings in northern China should be improved by comparing the standards in different periods for northern China with those of developed countries. Taking a multi- storey residential building as an example, calculates the energy- saving rates that can be achieved based on the Finnish building design standards in 2008 and 2010 according to the calculating method of Chinese building energy- saving rate. Analyses building thermal insulation schemes to realize different energy- saving rates. Puts forward the bottleneck problems hindering improvement of the building design standard for energy- saving in northern China, such as lack of high performance insulation materials, much higher cost of current insulation products and relatively large proportion of energy consumption for heating outdoor air. Suggests strengthening the research and development of domestic products and construction techniques, adopting heat recovery techniques in organized ventilation system and increasing the proportion of renewable energy utilization in the building energy supply systems, while importing and comprehending the advanced products and technologies. Discusses possible technical routes for improving the national design standards for building energy efficiency.