Impact of climate change on energy use in the built environment in different climate zones – A review

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) 2012-06, Vol.42 (1), p.103-112
• Main Authors: Li, Danny H.W., Yang, Liu, Lam, Joseph C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Building energy use; Carbon footprint; Climate change; Different climate zones; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Mitigation and adaptation
• ISSN: 0360-5442
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2012.03.044

Studies on the impact of climate change on energy use in buildings in the different parts of the world were reviewed. Potential mitigation and adaptation measures were discussed and further research work suggested. In severe cold climates reduction in heating requirement would outweigh the modest increase in summer cooling. In the hot summer and cold winter climate zones where both winter heating and summer cooling requirements are important, the magnitude of reduction in heating and the magnitude of increase in cooling could be comparable. The most significant impact on energy use in the built environment would occur in the hot summer and warm winter climates where building energy use is dominated by cooling requirement. Raising the summer set point temperature and reducing the lighting load density would have great energy savings and hence mitigation potential. Space heating is provided largely by oil- or gas-fired boiler plants whereas space cooling mainly relies on electricity. This would result in a shift towards more electrical demand and could have important implications for the nationwide energy and environmental policy for the built environment. ► We conduct a review of the impact of climate change on energy use in buildings. ► The most significant impact will occur in warmer climate dominated by cooling demand. ► Raise summer set point temperature and lower lighting load have mitigation potential. ► Further research works to reduce CO2 emissions have been suggested and discussed. ► These are adaptive thermal comfort, solar-powered cooling, and weather data update.