Doors and windows become the biggest vulnerability of domestic building energy-saving
September 08 02:33:05, 2025
In recent years, China has been constructing an astonishing 2.5 billion square meters of buildings annually, yet many developers neglect the quality of doors and windows, leading to significant energy waste. According to available data, only 0.4% of doors and windows in China are energy-efficient, while energy loss through these openings accounts for as much as 20% of total societal energy consumption. As a result, doors and windows have become the biggest vulnerability in the country’s building energy efficiency, acting like large "black holes" that drain energy resources.
At the 2013 China Energy-Saving Doors and Windows Industry Development Forum held in Gaobeidian, Hebei, industry experts emphasized the urgent need for standardized regulations on energy-saving doors and windows. They also called on the government to invest more in research and development to support enterprises in improving the technology and quality of such products.
Experts highlighted that the annual construction of 2.5 billion square meters of buildings in China exceeds the combined total of all developed countries. However, the adoption rate of energy-saving doors and windows remains extremely low—only 0.4%. This lack of efficiency leads to building energy consumption that is two to three times higher than in developed nations. With poor thermal performance, doors and windows significantly contribute to excessive energy use, particularly in heating and cooling.
According to Ni Shouqiang, the energy required for cooling is 5 to 10 times greater than that needed for heating due to insufficient window insulation. In China, many buildings still feature large transparent windows, which worsen energy inefficiency. This problem is especially evident in northern regions, where coal-based heating is common. For example, in Hebei Province, the average person burns about 2 tons of coal per year for heating. The pollution from this process has become a major contributor to smog and air quality issues.
To address this growing concern, experts suggest not only improving building standards but also raising public awareness about the importance of energy-efficient design. By focusing on better insulation and more sustainable materials, China can reduce its energy dependency and environmental impact. The time has come for a comprehensive approach to building energy efficiency, with doors and windows playing a central role in this transformation.