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Thermal Characteristics and User Regulation of Household Heat Metering for Residential District Heating Systems in Northern China

Author

Listed:
  • Ao Luo

    (Guangzhou Municipal Construction Group Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 510030, China)

  • Chunyang Li

    (Inner Mongolia Fulong Heating Engineering Technology Co., Ltd., Chifeng 024005, China)

  • Jianjun Xia

    (Building Energy Research Center, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Pengyue Cheng

    (Chengteh Heat Group Co., Ltd., Chengteh 067000, China)

Abstract

Heat metering is an important measure of China’s heating marketization reform as well as an energy-saving policy implemented in buildings nearly 20 years ago. However, this policy has not achieved the expected results due to various reasons. It is important to note that although northern China is dominated by large apartment buildings, resulting in unique thermal characteristics and user behavior, the measured results of these characteristics are not common. In this study, data from cities in northern China were obtained using household heat meters and field testing. Based on the three levels of station, building, and household, the effects of location, heat outages, and users’ regulation behavior on energy consumption were analyzed. The results show that different locations lead to a considerable difference in heat consumption among users, and an outage leads to a significant increase in consumption by surrounding users. For typical buildings in northern China, it is challenging to realize energy savings with district heating systems based on user behavior, and household metering and charging are not fair and reliable. Adjusting the heat meter unit from the household to the building was suggested.

Suggested Citation

  • Ao Luo & Chunyang Li & Jianjun Xia & Pengyue Cheng, 2024. "Thermal Characteristics and User Regulation of Household Heat Metering for Residential District Heating Systems in Northern China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:3:p:579-:d:1326175
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    References listed on IDEAS

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