Energy conservation standards for residential buildings revised for Japanese next generation

摘要

The Japanese government made an overall revison, dated March 30 1999, on energy conservation standards for residential buildings. The revised standards are generally termed "Next Generation Energy Conservation Standards". The agreement concerning reduction of CO{sub}2 emissions at the COP 3, held in Kyoto 1997, is seen in the backdrop of this revision. The paper describes an outline of the revised standards: purpose, numerical criteria and effects on housing industry. The main point of this standards is to reduce winter heat loss by enhancing building component insulation and air-tightness. Furthermore the standards also require sunshade in summer, ventilation system, prevention of vapor condensation and so forth. The standards will give Japanese people both high-quality life (e.g. comfort and health) and energy conservation.