See how you can live green and save green by visiting the Smart Energy House at 2011 Delaware State Fair

HARRINGTON (July 25, 2011) – Efficient lighting, water conservation, recycling, livable lawns, vampire power, composting, home energy monitoring, blower door testing, rain barrels, Energy Star appliances. You might be familiar with some of these phrases while others might be new to you. However, these practices and products can help homeowners like you save money and benefit the environment – and you can learn about these and more by visiting the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s building now through July 30 at the 2011 Delaware State Fair in Harrington!

“A vital part of our mission as Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is to show how everyone can do their part to improve our environment. Right now, everyone could use more money in their budgets. Our Smart Energy House display is designed to help Delawareans meet both of these goals, with the theme ‘Reduce your carbon footprint and increase your savings,’” said DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara.

As part of the DNREC Building’s major makeover for the 2011 fair, DNREC staff designed and built the Smart Energy House. The open-framed cutaway house has familiar spaces and details: a kitchen, bathroom and living room, with a driveway and potted native plants by the front door. But look closer and you’ll see plenty of energy, water and money-saving ideas, some of which you can use today with little or no investment, such as turning water off while brushing your teeth, installing a low-flow shower head, changing to energy efficient lightbulbs, putting up awnings over your windows to help keep out summer heat, using a rain barrel to store rain water for your lawn and garden, and unmasking power vampires that drink energy in your home and suck money from your wallet.

Visitors can also pick up information about Energize Delaware’s Green for Green program, which is currently offering rebates of $3,000 to $6,000 to help offset the cost of implementing energy efficiency measures in newly-constructed homes. Other highlights surrounding the Smart Energy House include the Livable Lawn, the power-generating Energy Bike and DNREC’s V2G Electric Car.

The Smart Energy House is surrounded by fun and educational displays that take visitors on a tour of Delaware, from the beaches and wetlands to the woods and parks, including a colorful Boardwalk Arcade with games and prizes. Staff will also greet visitors at the door and present them with the Passport to Green Living to help them search and explore the displays, and earn a prize.

Adjoining the main display area is the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s live animal room, which this year features a wide range of wildlife from raccoons to native fish and a special display for the 100^th anniversary of fish and wildlife conservation in Delaware.

The DNREC Building is located at the north end of the Fairgrounds near the 4-H Building and across from the tractor displays. The building will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily from Monday, July 25 through Saturday, July 30. For more information, visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov.

Vol. 41, No. 284