LG Smart Cottage Earns Korea’s First ZEB Plus Certification

The LG Smart Cottage has become the first building in Korea to be awarded ZEB Plus certification, the highest rating under the country’s Zero Energy Building (ZEB) program. This prefabricated modular home is now officially recognised for producing more energy than it consumes over a typical year.

Developed by LG Electronics, the Smart Cottage combines factory-built construction with rooftop solar generation, AI-powered appliances, and high-efficiency HVAC systems. Designed to operate entirely on electricity, it meets all energy needs on-site and achieves an energy surplus through its integrated solar panels.

Unlike many larger buildings, which often face challenges meeting ZEB standards due to limited space for renewable energy systems, the Smart Cottage demonstrates how smaller modular homes can deliver strong energy performance. Its prefabricated construction also enables faster build times and greater control over energy outcomes.

Zero Energy Buildings and Korea’s energy targets

Zero Energy Buildings form a key part of Korea’s climate and energy policy, with progressively tighter targets for new buildings. The ZEB framework ranks buildings from Grade 5 through to ZEB Plus based on their Energy Independence Rate (EIR)—a measure of how much of the building’s total energy use is covered by renewable energy generation.

ZEB certification requires a minimum EIR of 20 per cent for entry-level status, with ZEB Plus reserved for buildings that exceed their energy needs. The Smart Cottage comfortably meets this highest level, reflecting its design focus on self-sufficiency and renewable energy integration.

While many high-density urban projects struggle to achieve similar outcomes, LG’s approach to compact modular design offers a clear example of how prefabricated housing can meet stringent energy goals.

Watch the launch of LG’s Smart Cottage at IFA 2023

Electrical safety advances in modular housing

LG Electronics has also partnered with the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation (KESCO) to improve safety processes in modular housing. Together, they have introduced a pre-certification system for electrical safety, allowing inspections to take place during the design and factory stages rather than after installation on site.

Previously, electrical issues discovered post-installation could require partial dismantling and repair work. The new system prevents such disruptions by addressing safety concerns earlier in the process, improving both quality control and construction efficiency.

Now available for purchase in Korea, the LG Smart Cottage comes in single-storey and two-storey versions. Both models combine prefabricated efficiency with smart home technology, offering buyers a compact, high-performing home that requires minimal energy input from external sources.

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