Energy Policy in Public Buildings: Challenges for China

The aim of this article is to interpret the essential content, analyze some important clauses as well as prompt or enhance the effective operation of the standard. The current study presents that China can be divided into five zones according to thermal design: severe cold area, cold area, hot summer cold winter area, hot summer warm winter area and temperate area. For all these regions, indoor design temperatures of heating and air-conditioning are specified in terms of various public buildings such as offices and garages. Meanwhile, shape coefficient, the ratio of surface area and volume, is put into a notable position compared with previous criterions. The most important parameter in this standard is overall heat transfer coefficient, all the calculation for building envelope, such as doors and windows, is performed based on it, moreover, the coefficient is the main point in the course of examination for designing drawings. Additionally, a new concept, trade off, is raised in this standard to protect designers’ originality. The results show that public buildings have a potential of saving 50 percent energy on building envelope, HVAC systems and lighting. The implications of the results indicate that this energy policy will play an important role on designing, building, rebuilding and extending public buildings, at the same period, more comfortable and acceptable indoor environment can be also achieved while the standard is implemented.