• Old style Yaodong dwellings consume 15 kg of coal per m2 for heating; concrete houses require 25 kg, whilst new yaodong dwellings require 0-5 kg. With a CO2 emission ratio for local coal at 2.4:1 the CO2 emission saving per property is 2,400 kg for a 100 m2 dwelling. The project has resulted in CO2 savings and minimisation of pollution from the construction process through the use of existing terrain and minimal construction materials.