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Osaka Gas Co. of Japan announced that an energy-saving house in Saito Asagi, Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture, equipped with a "double-generation system," which is made up of a co-generation system using a household-type polymer electrolyte fuel cell and a solar photovoltaic system, would be open to the public. The house will remain open until the end of May 2008.The fuel cell is rated at one kilowatt and simultaneously generates power and heat, with the heat being effectively utilized for heating water. The combination of the 4-kilowatt photovoltaic system and this fuel cell enables the average household to reduce primary energy consumption by about 55 percent and carbon dioxide emissions by about 70 percent over conventional systems.Moreover, although blinds are typically set inside of windows, the blinds in this house are set outside of windows in order to cut sunlight in the summer, while absorbing thermal energy from sunlight in the winter and transmitting it to the specially designed walls; thus, energy requirements for heating and cooling are reduced. With the latest gas facilities and home-security systems, visitors can enjoy experiencing the exceptional functionality this concept house offers.

If you're worried about dependence on fossil fuels, the RuralZed timber-frame kit house can make you self-sufficient. The house's energy-conserving features include south-facing windowed walls, a solar-thermal water heating system, natural ventilation that exploits air pressure differentials, heat-absorbent cement or masonry walls and floors, and an airtight polymer membrane that seals seams and joints. Thanks to the resulting savings, the house's energy requirements can be met by roof-mounted solar panels and specially designed wind turbines that rotate around a vertical axis.

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What that means in practical terms, is that the thermodynamics of the building design (insulation levels, window performance, tightness, solar gain, etc.) must be good enough to allow the reasonable application renewable resources like solar or wind power to render the building a net zero energy consumer.

Middle-class New Yorkers may soon be able to hire contractors to do $13,000 worth of home improvements like adding insulation and buying new furnaces, storm windows and water heaters — and never cut a check to the contractor.