In recent years, growing emphasis on sustainable buildings has led to increasing interest in timber housing. Timber houses are recognized as an energy-efficient building type due to their carbon reduction potential and excellent thermal insulation performance; however, achieving Zero Energy Building (ZEB) certification requires addressing various technical and institutional challenges. This study analyzes the key requirements for timber houses to obtain ZEB certification and proposes strategies for energy reduction and the integration of renewable energy systems to meet these requirements. First, domestic and international ZEB certification systems are comparatively reviewed to derive evaluation criteria suitable for timber housing. Subsequently, the applicability of passive design elements—such as high-performance insulation, enhanced airtightness, and optimized window placement—and active technologies, including photovoltaic systems, geothermal systems, and energy management systems, is examined. In addition, case studies are analyzed to assess practical feasibility, and optimal approaches for achieving ZEB certification are suggested by considering economic viability and environmental benefits. The results indicate that an optimal combination of energy-saving technologies tailored to the structural characteristics of timber housing, together with the efficient application of renewable energy systems, is a critical factor in achieving ZEB certification. This study is expected to contribute to the wider adoption of environmentally friendly timber housing and the advancement of sustainable building technologies.
Lee et al. (Tue,) studied this question.