Last week, we visited Panasonic's Eco Ideas House in Tokyo to get a taste of über-green living. The cozy abode produces virtually zero CO2 emissions. See the rest of the gallery for a look at what our everyday future may hold...
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
Situated across the road from the Japanese Panasonic Centre in Koto-ku, Tokyo, the Eco Ideas house is a concept dwelling that aims to reduce CO2 emissions in family households to nearly zero. An array of green-friendly appliances and building materials are combined with solar panels, fuel cells and storage batteries to provide power to the entire house.
Panasonic Eco Ideas house
Panasonic 'Eco Ideas' house front entrance.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
A Panasonic spokesperson demonstrates the Eco Ideas House concept. The dwelling, which has two levels, is designed to sustain a family of four.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
Curiously, the Eco House's hypothetical residents consist of one child, two parents and one grandparent. (This family structure is characteristic to some Japanese households.)
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
As you'd expect from a green-friendly home, the Eco Ideas House has plenty of large windows to cut down on synthetic lighting. (Unless glass becomes cheaper in the future, it would appear only the wealthy can afford guilt-free lifestyles.)
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
The airy living room doesn't skimp on the home entertainment options - electricity is primarily provided through fuel cells and storage batteries. (Incidentally, the chap in the foreground is noted global warming activist and 2007 Australian of the Year, Professor Tim Flannery.)
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
This is the Home Energy Management System (HEMS), a control panel that provides detailed information on how much energy is being consumed in different parts of the house.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
A sun roof adds additional natural lighting. Sometimes, low-tech solutions are best.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
The home's eco credentials are bolstered by plenty of organic green stuff (some rooms almost looked like jungles). Above the decorative foliage is a hybrid air conditioner that works in tandem with the house's natural ventilation system. The AC also adjusts temperature levels depending on where a person is in the room and what they are doing.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
The walls are fitted with wind passage towers which provide natural cooling. They draws in air from beneath the house.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
A section of floorboard is cut away to reveal the underground heating in action. Hot water is pumped through tiny tubes throughout the house for added warmth.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
Temperature inside the house and without.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
Panasonic admitted that the HEMS display is still in the 'concept' stage (i.e. - the screen's data is currently simulated).
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
This ceiling-mounted light sensor keeps a tight control on artificial lighting. It detects the amount of sunlight in a room and adjusts LED lights accordingly. During sunset and dusk, only those areas furthest away from the house's windows light up.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
HEMS control panels dot the household.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
This lightweight material, dubbed U-Vacua, provides thermal insulation for the household and various appliances, including refrigerators.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
This space-aged looking shower sprays you with water while you sit down in-between its arms. It uses just 6 litres of water per minute.
To cut down on water use and harmful cleaning chemicals, everything in the bathroom is constructed from stain-resistant organic glass materials. (According to the facility brochure, this also makes the toilets "nice to touch".)
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
The home office was decked out with a Full HD video conferencing solution. By working from home, the idea is that the Eco home-owner cuts down on car engine emissions. Unfortunately, the HD video set-up precludes working in your underwear.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
The HEMs system provides intelligent reminders to help cut down on energy consumption, including pop-up windows on your computer. We imagine it's a bit like living with a recycling-obsessed roommate.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
A green-friendly household wouldn't be complete without a Toyota Prius.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
The car gets its juice from household recharging strands that use electricity generated by the home. (In case you were wondering, the hand model is Panasonic Australia's general manager Steve Rust.)
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
The humidity-conditioned garage boasts earthen floors and 'deodorizing' building materials.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
Pictured: EVs/PHEVs re-charger.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
The various power solutions in the house all co-exist on the same home network. This allows CO2 emissions to be reduced further via smart management.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
Compact fuel cells generate electricity for the home using hydrogen and air. Its household duties also include boiling water for showers and the aforementioned floor heating.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
This lithium-ion storage battery holds energy reserves for the household. The electricity comes from solar energy.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
The Eco Ideas House's roof is decked out with HIT solar panels - enough to provide 5060 watts to the home.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
For more on solar generation, check out our guided tour of the Sanyo/Panasonic Solar Ark, one of the largest solar buildings in the world.
Panasonic Eco Ideas House
Last week, we visited Panasonic's Eco Ideas House in Tokyo to get a taste of über-green living. The cozy abode produces virtually zero CO2 emissions. See the rest of the gallery for a look at what our everyday future may hold...