Type of Building Code

Type of Building Code

• Cooling Based
• Prescriptive Codes
• Trade Off
• Performance Codes for Refurbishments
• Performance Codes for New Builds
• Energy Declaration
• Model / reference Building

  The energy efficiency design of residential buildings may adopt the "custom budget method” for comprehensive evaluation in comparison with a reference building.

• Mix of different models / Hybrids

Energy Covered

Basis for Energy Requirements

• Overall performance frame

  Not an overall performance frame, however, by adopting rational energy conservation building design and taking energy conservation measures for reinforcing the thermal-barrier and insulation performances of the building enclosure and improving the energy efficiency ratio of cooling and heating equipment, based on the premise of an identical indoor thermal environment, the total annual cooling and heating energy consumption shall be decreased by 50% in comparison with no energy conservation measures.

• Final Energy

  Partially, the custom budget method is used during the design stage. The energy used in the simulation is based on site energy.

• Primary Energy
• Life Cycle Assessment considered (embedded energy)

Energy Uses and Functions Covered by the Code

• Heating

  The selection of the heating method and equipment for residential building shall be determined by basing on the conditions of local resources, taking full consideration of the energy conservation and environmental protection factors and carrying out technical and economic analysis. Annual heating electricity consumption factor (or electricity consumption) shall not exceed that of the reference building.

• Cooling

  The selection of the cooling method and equipment for residential building shall be determined by basing on the conditions of local resources, taking full consideration of the energy conservation and environmental protection factors and carrying out technical and economic analysis. Annual cooling electricity consumption factor (or electricity consumption) shall not exceed that of the reference building.

• Dehumidification
• Ventilation

  When adopting distributed room air conditioner for cooling and heating, the air conditioning equipment shall select the energy-saving air-conditioner in compliance with the current national standard--"The limited values of energy efficiency and evaluating values of energy conservation for room air conditioners" (GB 12021.3).

• Airtightness
• Thermal bridging

  Thermal bridging is considered but there are no specific requirements.

• Hot water

  No specific requirements.

• Technical installations

  No specific requirements.

• Lighting

  No specific lighting efficiency requirements, Lighting is not part of China’s design standards for energy efficiency in residential buildings, which are focused on the building envelope and HVAC. China issued the Standard for Lighting Design in Buildings in 2004; this standard covers energy efficiency design issues for lighting in residential, commercial and industrial buildings

• Appliances

  No specific requirements.

• Design, position & orientation of building
• Heat recovery

  Partially, when year-round cooling and heating system is provided for the residential building and the indoor air quality requirement is strict, total heat or sensible heat recovery devices should be adopted in the mechanical ventilation system.

• Passive solar

  The area of the external windows in residential building shall not be excessive, which, as for the ratio of window area to wall area of each orientation, shall not be larger than 0.45 for the north orientation, not be larger than 0.30 for the east and west orientation, and not be larger than 0.50 for the south orientation.

• Passive cooling

  See natural ventilation.

• Natural ventilation

  The overall planning of the residential area as well as the plan and facade design shall facilitate the natural ventilation.The residential building should be orientated towards or near to the south-north.

• Solar protection

  Limits on heat transfer co-efficient and requirements for overall shading co-efficient for external windows.

• Daylighting requirements
• Renewable Energy (solar, PV, others)

  If conditions permit, the residential area should adopt the winter central heating by thermal power plant, summer absorption concentrated-cooling technology, or small-sized (mini-type) gas turbine-absorption concentrated-cooling/heating technology, or ice-storage concentrated-cooling technology. If conditions permit, cooling and heating technologies through renewable energy sources such as solar energy, geothermal energy and ocean energy should be adopted in the residential building.

• Local renewable sources
• Energy Offsets/Green Certificates

Enforcement

Type of Enforcement

• Local enforcement
  Enforcement by the local governments or Construction Commissions, the point of control in enforcing building energy standards is during design and construction, with non-compliance resulting in the building permit not being issued.
• Third party inspection
  An enforcement system relying on third party due diligence can work well but government oversight remains crucial
• Central enforcement
• Accreditation of applicants
• Post Occupancy control

On-site Inspections Occur

• On-site inspections
• During construction
• Post completion
• Post occupancy
  Not known at this stage.

Certification to Support Enforcement of Code

• Energy Performance Certificate support BC
• Positive labeling for building beyond the minimum BC level
• Existence of EPC register database at national level
• Inspection of boilers
  Not known at this stage.
• Inspection of HVAC systems
  Not known at this stage.

Penalties for Non-compliance

• None
• Fine
  If the construction company fails to comply with mandatory provisions of the building energy codes, the company is required to correct its wrong doing and pay penalty of between 2% and 4% of the contract cost.
• Imprisonment
• Refusal of permission to occupy
• Refusal of permission to construct
• Demolition

Measures Supporting Enforcement

• Commissioning requirements
  Not known at this stage.
• Airtightness testing required prior to compliance
• Mandatory Computer Modeling
  Not known at this stage.
• Training of Inspectors
  "Please see Section 3.1 in http://www.pnl.gov/main/publications/external/technical_reports/PNNL-20138.pdf In addition, the training issues are also discussed by a report http://www.iadb.org/intal/intalcdi/PE/2012/10042.pdf, at p13 and 14. "
• Other

Values for New Buildings

Code History and Future Targets

Zero Energy Targets

• Definition of nZEB/ZEB/Plus Energy etc
• Are all end uses considered in the target?
• Is there a realistic roadmap towards ZEB
• National Target date for nZEB

  China is currently at the studying stage of these definitions and concepts.

• Special Requirements for public buildings

Supporting Measures

• Involvement of Stakeholders in the Development of Codes
• Level of Training Provided to Stakeholders Following Implementation of Code?