Comparative Study of Energy Consumption of Rural Residential Building Envelopes in Hightemperature Difference Areas

As most rural buildings lack effective thermal insulation measures, heat loss is severe, and the increase in carbon emissions exacerbates environmental pollution. This study aimed to improve the thermal insulation performance of rural residential buildings and reduce energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. The study methodology involved selecting a typical rural residential building in a high-temperature difference area as the research subject. Expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), and polyurethane foam boards were selected for analysis as wall and roof insulation materials. Meanwhile, single-pane, double-pane insulated, and low-emissivity (low-E) glass were chosen as exterior window materials. Building energy consumption under different wall insulation and exterior window materials was simulated and analysed using DesignBuilder software. The study showed that during the region’s cold January period, models using highly efficient insulated wall materials significantly reduced building energy consumption compared to conventional buildings without insulation. When comparing the three insulation materials – XPS, EPS, and polyurethane foam board – XPS insulation demonstrated superior performance: energy savings of 25.7% were achieved when XPS insulation was applied to exterior walls and up to 32.2%when used on the roof. In addition, external window materials were also critical in influencing building energy consumption during this period. The energy savings achieved by the building model using a double-insulating glass of 6+12A+6 specification reached 24.92%. The results of this study provide an important foundation for the energy-efficient design and renovation of both existing and new buildings in areas with high-temperature differences. These findings have significant implications for improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions in rural residential buildings