Occupant Control Behavior of Low-Temperature Air Source Heat Pump in Chinese Rural Housing: What Does It Mean to Thermal Comfort and Energy Consumption?

In rural China, household heating using solid fuel significantly contributes to both indoor and regional emissions of pollutants such as carbon monoxide and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5). This study presents the first results from an intervention study currently conducted in Beijing suburb, China. The purpose of this particular effort is to quantify the effectiveness of using a split-type, low-temperature air source heat pump as an alternative way of clean heating in rural households. Several “representative” occupant control modes were summarized, all based on residents’ own use pattern without much instruction.