Wuhan moves towards "green building"

cctv.com 03-17-2005 17:55

With increasing concerns over energy consumption in China, "green building” trends are gaining in popularity. However, in the mid- and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, known for its hot summers and cold winters, the “green building” concept has not yet caught on. Wuhan, capital city of central China's Hubei province, is working to get energy efficient building off the ground.

Studies show that people feel most comfortable at an indoor temperature between 26 to 28 degrees Celsius in summer, and 16 to 18 degrees in winter. However, in Wuhan, maintaining those temperatures means air-conditioners and heaters are essential for every family. In 2004, energy use from air-conditioners and heating facilities made up over one-third of total power consumption in the city's residential

communities. But, traditional residential buildings were not constructed with energy conservation in mind, and the lack of insulation leads to a lot of energy waste and high power consumption.

This year, design standards for energy efficiency in residential buildings in the hot Summer and cold winter zone will be implemented in Wuhan. Newly constructed or renovated residential buildings must meet the standard.

By adopting some advanced energy saving techniques, such as individualized air-conditioning terminals and double-glazed windows, energy efficient buildings can cut power consumption by as much as 50 percent compared with traditional buildings.

And at an extra construction cost of just 10 percent, the small initial outlay will easily pay for itself in the long run.

When we buy household electric appliances, we already know how to look for ‘energy-saving’ products. So when we buy a home, probably the biggest investment in life, energy efficient considerations are even more important. To support sustainable development and protect our environment, everyone can make a great contribution, and help make our world a better place to live.

Editor:Chen Jie  Source:CCTV.com