MCHP1.0

A new model of the Micro-sized Combined Heat and Power (MCHP) compact cogeneration unit introduced in October 2006 was designed by Honda to reduce the electricity costs of ordinary households by reducing the use of electricity distributed through utility companies. The new model featured a 22.5% increase in electrical generation capacity for 85% energy efficiency. Incorporating Honda's compact household cogeneration unit, the ECOWILL cogeneration system achieved annual sales of 18,415 units in FY2007. Since its release in March 2003, a total of 46,000 units have been sold.

Honda and Climate Energy Begin Sales of freewatt™ Micro-CHP Cogeneration System

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and Climate Energy, LLC began sales of freewatt™, their collaborative MCHP household cogeneration system, in the U.S. in March 2007. The small, light, household cogeneration unit is a combination of the world's smallest natural gas engine (GE160V) and a sine-wave inverter, both developed by Honda. The freewatt™ system comprises a MCHP cogeneration unit developed by Honda, and is paired with a furnace or boiler produced by Climate Energy. The ultra-quiet freewatt™ unit produces 3.26 kilowatts of heat and 1.2 kilowatts of electric power. Further, it allows homeowners to reduce their lighting and heating energy costs, and resulting CO₂ emissions, by as much as 30%.^*

* Based on Climate Energy calculations, compared with conventional heating systems (80% energy efficiency)