Investigating the Energy-Saving Effectiveness of Envelope Retrofits and Photovoltaic Systems: A Case Study of a Hotel in Urumqi

Abstract

Many of China’s older buildings, built in the 1970s and 1980s, faces several indoor temperature and heating energy consumption problems. Based on an investigation and analysis of an old hotel in Urumqi, this paper proposes a renovation plan to improve the indoor temperature and reduce the heating energy consumption, thereby introduce a sustainable development strategy for the winter. The effects of different renovation plans on the hotel were simulated using DesignBuilder and PVsyst software. The results show that improving the insulation performance of the building envelope, including reforming the roof, exterior wall, doors, and windows and adjusting the window-to-wall ratio, is the primary way to improve indoor temperature and reduce heating energy consumption in winter. If economic conditions allow, we can also install photovoltaic systems on the roof to save a significant amount of energy. This paper puts forth specific reconstruction plans for old buildings in cold regions as well as some possible reconstruction paths for other structures according to the local economic development level to provide a reference for future related studies.