An apartment building in Seongnae-dong, Seoul has become the first solar-powered apartment complex in the country. The transition to solar power was made in part in response to the rise of oil prices, which was impacting apartment maintenance fees. As a result of using solar power, both energy use and maintenance fees have been kept low, passing on savings to residents.
This apartment has become a model and a benchmark for other construction companies seeking new ways to make energy-efficient residences. In order to develop a "zero energy" residence, GS Construction is developing and applying new technologies like its "Solar Shading System," which uses special shading windows and doors to save energy, along with radiant heat and cooling systems and solar power, to create more environmentally-friendly apartments.
The Korean government supports construction companies in building energy-saving apartments which has helped increase the number of solar and wind-powered houses.
Growth in the renewable energy field has also increased interest in the general population and resulted in a move toward more eco-friendly sustainable growth. Many people have expressed a strong interest in energy -saving apartments.
Around the country, many other apartment systems are also being built or remodeled with energy-efficiency in mind. PRUGIO apartments in Jamsil has installed solar panels and heat recovery ventilators, resulting in energy savings of up to 40 percent. The Hillstate apartment complex in Banpo also uses solar and wind energy for electricity.
SK Sky View apartments in Suwon were designed with energy-efficiency in mind, incorporating 22 different energy-saving technologies, resulting in 36 percent lower energy consumption than standard apartments.
The Korean government is promoting the construction of green homes across Korea, and the Presidential Committee on Green Growth has announced that all new houses built must be to zero carbon emission standards by 2025.
The government has also taking action to convert an existing 1 million homes to green homes by 2018 with technology and methods. In addition, domestic construction companies have begun presenting "zero-energy" model houses and developing new technologies and building methods to make those houses realistic models for future construction.
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