General descriptions of research method, buildings, analysis object, assumptions and weather conditions of background cities

This paper gives a brief introduction to the research methods used in this monograph, describes the geometric features and thermal characteristics of universal model buildings, makes detailed descriptions of the simulation assumptions in indoor setting conditions, operation mode and control strategies, introduces the concepts of annual, monthly and daily heating (cooling) energy consumption or hourly space load and the concepts of the relative variation rates of annual, monthly or daily heating (cooling) energy consumption in detail and summaries the location and weather features of the background cities involved in this monograph.