Norwegian house makes more energy than it uses

It could be a show home for a glamorous Nordic lifestyle – but what makes this house special is its energy credentials: it generates more power than it uses. Designed […]

It could be a show home for a glamorous Nordic lifestyle – but what makes this house special is its energy credentials: it generates more power than it uses.

Designed by award-winning architects Snøhetta in partnership with groups such as ZEB, Norway’s Research Centre on Zero Emission Buildings, it was built to show what could be achieved with clever design and the right materials.

The ZEB Pilot House in Larvik, Norway has solar panels, both photovoltaic for electricity and thermal for hot water and heating.

The rooftop is angled southeast, sloping at 19 degrees, to catch the sunlight for as much of the day as possible.

It also has ground wells which use geothermal heat collected from the earth.

Insulated walls mean one radiator on each floor (there are two) can heat the whole house.

Other perks include a half-enclosed courtyard in the middle of the building, fruit trees and vegetable gardens.

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