Starting next month, the certification for zero energy building (ZEB) design will be mandatory for private apartments, causing tension in the construction industry. Major construction companies plan to develop new technologies to efficiently manage construction expenses.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 24th, the government has decided to make ZEB grade 5 design mandatory for private buildings larger than 1,000 square meters and private multi-family housing with more than 30 units starting on the 30th of next month. A regulatory review is currently underway, and construction companies must meet an energy self-sufficiency rate of 10 to 13 percent.
To meet these standards, high-performance insulation materials, high-efficiency windows and doors, and solar power systems will be necessary, which will inevitably increase construction expenses. The government estimated that the construction cost based on an 84 square meter standard will rise by about 1.3 million won. It explained that by saving about 220,000 won annually in energy expenses, the additional construction costs could be recouped in about six years. Meanwhile, the industry predicts that the additional construction costs may exceed 3 million won.
Some construction companies plan to develop new technologies to use construction expenses efficiently. GS Engineering and Construction has developed its own "energy-saving lighting" to apply to its residential brand "Xi." This lighting system is equipped with ultra-high-efficiency LED and Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart control functions.
Hyundai E&C applied zero energy technology to the ‘Health State Lake Songdo’ completed in Incheon in 2019, becoming the first in the country to receive ZEB certification. The building features exterior insulation, enhanced airtightness, and solar power generation facilities, and has established a building energy management system (BEMS) operated on artificial intelligence (AI).
DL E&C is conducting research and development on technologies to enhance energy independence and efficiency, including the use of renewable energy, insulation, and heating and cooling systems at the Daejeon Architectural Environment Research Center.
A representative from a major construction company noted, “In the case of high-rise apartments, there may be significant expenses in installing solar panels, as well as complaints from future residents regarding aesthetic and safety issues,” adding, “The performance of materials, including windows, must be high, which could significantly increase construction expenses.”
Initially, the mandatory certification for zero energy in private apartments was scheduled to take effect in January of last year, but it was postponed for one year and six months considering the contraction of the construction market. The construction industry is requesting additional delays, but the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has stated that further postponements are not possible.