High-tech appliances which promise a comfortable life that's soft on the environment too have gone on show in Beijing.

Saving energy without compromising your quality of life has always been a challenge, but the new technologies on display at the ongoing 2006 Beijing Energy Saving Environmental Protection Exhibition may have the answer.

The concept that people can save energy while still being able to enjoy life is the main theme of the show, at the National Agriculture Exhibition Hall.

Other topics include environmental protection, renewable resources and the Green Olympics.

"Energy saving should not come at the expense of quality of life," said Wang Ping, an environmental scientist and professor at Beijing Technology and Business University.

"Being able to live comfortably while protecting the environment is vital to getting the general public involved in looking after the planet," she said.

"These new technologies will help realize this goal."

Among the exhibits, a sample courtyard home equipped with more than 40 energy saving products caught many people's attention.

The house's power comes from solar panels, the wind and underground heat, instead of electricity. Insulated walls keep it warm in winter, while special curtains keep it cool in summer.

The home shows it is possible to live a more comfortable life using less energy, said Zhou Yifan, director of the Beijing Energy Conservation & Environment Protection Service Centre under the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform.

Many visitors were also surprised to see how little water was needed to flush a toilet. The energy-saving toilet uses only 3.8 litres of water, as compared with the national average of 6 litres. Liu Cheng, general manager of Beijing Zhong Lian Huan Jie Tong Water Saved Technology Co Ltd, said it costs 2,000 yuan (US$250).

An exhibit outdoors highlighted how planting grass on the roof and sides of buildings can prevent air pollutants from spreading.

It also makes the city much greener, said Tan Tianying, chairman of the Beijing Rooftop Landscaping Association, which was founded in March.

So far the city has seen 500,000 square metres of roofs planted with grass. But Tan said Beijing needs at least 69 million square metres of green rooftops in the next few years.

"Most of the ground space in Beijing has been covered with grass," said Tan. "The tops of buildings are our next target areas, so as to contribute to a green Olympics."

About 180 companies took part in the exhibition, organized by the Beijing municipal government. It is open until June 18.

Source: China Daily