Investigation of Energy Consumption via an Equivalent Thermal Resistance-Capacitance Model for a Northern Rural Residence

To achieve the goal of carbon peaking, it is crucial to reduce both carbon emissions and energy consumption during the operational stage of residential buildings. This paper proposed a method for assessing carbon emissions and energy consumption for an energy system utilized in a rural residence. First, an equivalent thermal resistance-capacitance model for a rural residence was established. The parameters of thermal resistance and capacitance were optimized based on the data collected from an operating air source heat pump heating system. On this basis, the energy consumption was derived, and it was compared with real consumption. Then, a method of estimating house energy consumption index per unit area under specified weather conditions was proposed. Finally, the carbon emissions of three heating types—heating driven by air source heat pump, gas boiler, and coal boiler—were compared. Results showed that the derived energy consumption index per unit area was 46.77 W/m2. The carbon emissions of the air source heat pump were 1406.1 kgCO2.