Multi-objective optimization design for sunspace of traditional dwellings considering energy consumption and thermal comfort in Southern Shaanxi, China

Most of the traditional dwellings in southern Shaanxi of China are self-built, and thermal insulation measures are rarely considered in design and construction process. The additional sunspace has the potential inference to improve indoor thermal environment and reduce building energy consumption. This research systematically analyses the designing influence on sunspace about energy consumption through single-element simulation, multi-objective genetic algorithm optimization and dynamic payback period. The results indicate that width and depth of the sunspace, and type of glass are the most influential factors on building heat load, cool load, and thermal comfort duration. Optimized sunspace can increase operating temperature in living room and bedroom by 1.53°C and 1.18°C respectively during winter. At the meantime, the sunspace may further increase indoor operating temperature in summer, but it can be reduced by 0.44℃ and 0.78℃ respectively through ventilation and shading system. Furthermore, the optimized traditional dwellings reduced their annual energy consumption by 20.72 % with 27.72 % reduction in heating energy consumption during the winter and 0.4 % reduction in cooling energy consumption during the summer. The research findings provide a theoretical basis for the improvement of the indoor thermal environment and energy-saving renovation of traditional dwellings in hot-summer and cold-winter areas.