Abstract This study focuses on the south-north oriented corridor-type staff dormitory in the Ordos mining area, aiming to quantitatively analyze the impact of light-colored, dark-colored, and directional color real stone paint exterior finishes on building energy conservation and carbon reduction in the severe cold zone C. Based on the actual building parameters (6-story frame structure, shape coefficient 0.1659, window-wall ratio 0.28-0.32 for different orientations), the research compares the differences in heating and cooling energy consumption of different exterior wall colors through energy consumption simulation, considering seasonal (spring, summer, autumn, winter) and annual cycles.To verify the accuracy of the model, the simulation results were cross-compared with the operational data of similar buildings and the energy consumption design indicators for Severe Cold Region C?1?1??. Meanwhile, a sensitivity analysis was performed on solar radiation intensity and outdoor temperature fluctuations to clarify the energy-saving stability of the color schemes?1??1??. The results show that dark colors can reduce heating energy consumption in winter (black saves 15.19% compared to white), while light colors significantly reduce cooling energy consumption in summer (white saves 27.48% compared to black). For the annual comprehensive performance, medium gray exterior walls achieve the optimal energy-saving effect, with a 1.95% reduction compared to the white benchmark, corresponding to a carbon reduction of 4551 kgCO?. The sensitivity analysis indicates that dark colors are more sensitive to solar radiation fluctuations, light colors show more prominent energy-saving advantages as outdoor temperature rises, and the orientation-based scheme presents the best stability under climatic parameter fluctuations. This study provides quantitative basis and practical reference for energy-saving and carbon-reduction strategies of exterior wall colors in mining area buildings in severe cold zone C.