Zero-energy home development in Korea: energy-efficient and environmentally friendly design features and future directions

Abstract

Zero-energy houses, one of the progressive types of energy-efficient homes, theoretically consume no energy for heating, cooling, or other daily activities. The purposes of this research were to identify representative experimental housing projects in South Korea and analyze their major features in terms of energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. This study used case studies consisting of two zero-energy experimental houses and one occupied zero-energy neighborhood. This study found that efforts have been made to build zero-energy homes in Korea. The study also found renewable energy systems such as solar and geothermal systems have been applied in zero-energy houses in Korea. The study discusses future research needs focusing on post-occupancy evaluations that should involve current residents to maintain energy-efficient housing performance. In addition, a holistic strategy to embrace design, development, and maintenance aspects of zero-energy houses should be established to promote this energy-efficient and environmental-friendly housing option for diverse resident groups.

Keywords:

• zero-energy house
• energy efficiency
• environmentally friendly design

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to recognize Soojeong Park, a student in Housing at Konkuk University, who contributed to the Korean housing policy content included in this article and Mr Jong-Il Kim, an architect for the zeeHome neighborhood who shared valuable information about his zero-energy home projects.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Suk-Kyung Kim

Suk-Kyung Kim, PhD, is an associate professor of Interior Design at the School of Planning, Design, & Construction at Michigan State University. Recently she has completed a Regional Affordable Housing Study for the Mid-Michigan Program for Greater Sustainability funded by HUD. She specializes in green and affordable housing, green building, and crime-prevention through environmental design.

Sung-Jin Lee

Sung-Jin Lee, PhD, is an assistant professor of Housing Research in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Her research interests include housing for an aging society, social and environmental issues, sustainable communities, and secondary data analyses.

Hyun Joo Kwon

Hyun Joo Kwon, PhD, is an assistant professor of Interior Design in the Department of Art and Design at Purdue University. Her research focuses on affordable and sustainable housing strategies, environmental design for an aging society, lifestyle and housing behavior, and livable community design.

Mira Ahn

Mira Ahn, PhD, is an associate professor in the School of Family and Consumer Sciences at Texas State University. Her research has focused on the behavioral and psychological aspects of residents toward the residential environment in aging society, including aging in place, home modification, housing satisfaction, and sustainable living.