Debate: Heating system
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Deng Qingguang: Heating system should be more efficient
People who have moved from the country's southern parts to work in the northern areas are becoming increasingly envious of the central heating system in winter in their work places and homes. This has started a debate about whether a central heating system should be built in southern China, too.
But considering the country's energy saving policy, it is not necessary to build a central heating system in South China. On the contrary, policymakers should think of making the central heating system in North China more efficient to save energy.
The central heating system is necessary for work efficiency and people's livelihoods in North China (especially areas north of the Yellow River). The area comprises 17 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, has a population of more than 700 million and accounts for about 60 percent of the country's territory.
The energy needed to run the central heating system in North China accounts for about one-fourth of total energy consumption of the country and costs about 70 billion yuan ($10.54 billion). That's why it is important for the authorities to see if there is room for reducing energy consumption to help the country save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The central heating system is a 24-hour service, but a considerable portion of the heat generated by the system is wasted. For example, office workers are away from home for an average of 11 hours a day on weekdays, which means 45 percent of the heat generated in their homes is wasted. Energy used to generate heat in most offices and industrial areas is wasted, too, because nobody works between 8 pm and 7 am. Besides, some offices, homes and factories become so warm because of the heating system that people have to open windows to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors.
That means there is no need for the central heating system to be operational 24 hours a day. It is thus necessary for the authorities to find a way to keep houses and workplaces warm only when people are there and to turn off supply when they are not to save energy and reduce emissions. They also have to replace dysfunctional and inefficient parts and rusty pipes in the heating supply network to ensure that the central heating network runs smoothly.
More importantly, the authorities should consider replacing the central heating system with wall-mounted gas boilers, which consume less energy and are more efficient and convenient. Wall-mounted boilers are multifunctional home appliances that provide hot water as well as heating. Like air conditioners, a boiler gives the option of setting different temperatures in different rooms of a house or work place, or even shutting down heating supply to a room.
The central heating system, based on the social welfare principle of the earlier planned economy, is at odds with today's market economy and social development. Many new urban and suburban communities have already introduced household-based heat supply meters. In fact, it is a social, economic and environmental necessity to introduce a household- and unit-based system, just like electricity, gas and water supply meters, for the heating system.
On the other hand, the authorities have to ensure that the heating system covers people in rural areas, too. This is important to protect rural residents from the toxic gases produced by stoves placed under adobe sleeping platforms and the burning of coal and ensure that they lead a better life.
Since efficiency has become the buzzword in almost every field of Chinese society, there is all the more reason for the authorities to take steps to make the heating system more efficient and environmentally friendly. And since energy shortage poses a serious challenge to China, the authorities should introduce separate meters for the heating system for households and commercial/industrial units.
The author is a senior engineer who specializes in heating systems.
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