Biffa

Im a newbie to this forum but not to Hakuba. There is an increasing amount of foreign investment going into Hakuba year over year. Probably not a huge amount on a grand scale however step by step foreigners are seeing the value of investing into Hakuba and that translates into more accommodation options, bars, restaurants and international feel. There is a core group in the town that are really trying to make a difference. The astute investor knows that now is the time to snap up the prime locations in Hakuba and turn them into something special. OK, it's not going to happen overnight but

Does anybody know i if there are any IPTV or cable TV services available in Hakuba that I can install in my house? Preferably I would like a service with English interface. Cheers.

BTW, the Japan Home and Building show is on this week at Tokyo Big Sight. Has anyone been in the past?

Thermal Camera is a really interesting idea. I will look into it in Tokyo. Cheers

Thanks for everyone's responses. I will keep searching for a Geothermal contractor and when I get more info I will be sure to post it. My place already has underfloor heating (yuka danbo) so the retro fit should be easier. For those in Hakuba, I was told that the local council is giving rebates on Pellet Stoves at the moment. I think it is JPY 100,000 yen back.

First timer.... I have bought a house in Hakuba and have been looking into ground source heat pump systems (geothermal heat pump)for heating. My house is near a natural hot spring and I assume that the ground temp at 20 meters or more below the earth must be pretty toasty! Most reports say that the earth has a constant temp of 15 degrees or higher at about 15 - 20 meters deep. In a hot spring area is must be a lot higher. Does anyone know of an experienced contractor for geothermal systems or knows of anyone that has installed one in the Nagano area? I love the idea of 100% renewable.