Energy / Climate Change

September 21, 2008

 

Japanese House Builder Constructing Net-Zero Energy Home

Keywords: Energy Conservation Non-manufacturing industry 

Tsuchiya Twoby Home Co. of Japan started constructing the nation's first Super E Net-Zero energy home and exhibited the construction site of the house in Sapporo, Hokkaido, on June 26, 2008. The company intends to get the house certified according to tests based on the Canadian government's Super E ® Home Program. With the cooperation of Canadian experts, the house was designed to achieve an annual zero energy balance.

Originally developed by K. Ito & Associates, an architecture firm based in Vancouver, Canada, the house features various devices to obtain as much of its household energy as possible with renewable sources. In winter, for example, the house is heated by a combination of solar heat through south-facing windows, internal heat resulting from lighting, appliances, and people, as well as geothermal heat obtained by a ground source heat pump.

In summer, the house is kept cool by eaves that provide shade, opening windows, and, if necessary, air-conditioning using the ground source heat pump. The electricity consumed inside the house will be supplied by solar power generated from photovoltaic panels installed on the roof. The house also features an advanced thermal insulating system, a solar hot water supply system, and a system of collecting waste heat from bath and shower water.

The house will be open to the public on September 20, 2008, after being certified by the Canadian government through a series of inspections and tests. Tsuchiya Twoby Home plans to provide the same kind of energy efficient houses throughout Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost prefecture.

http://www.super-e.com/

Posted: 2008/09/21 09:49:26 AM
Japanese  

 

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