This paper describes performance evaluation of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell for applying to the demonstration on hybrid utilization of renewable energy and the fuel cell for a residential energy system. First, experiments of characteristics on heat and power generation were carried out Direct current electrical efficiency and the heat recovery efficiency at a rated output operation were quite high; 42.5% and 49.2%, respectively. Second, characteristics of partial load, water temperature for heat recovery, start-up time, load following and exhaust gas were clarified.