How do urban residents use energy for winter heating at home? A large-scale survey in the hot summer and cold winter climate zone in the Yangtze River region

•Develops a holistic large-scale field survey of winter heating in the HSCW zone.•Strong evidence of winter heating patterns classifies as part-time-part-space.•Spatial and temporal elements feature the end-users’ heating demand.•Findings support energy policy and design solutions for building heating systems.