One of the most fun things I get to do in my work in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (
EERE) is go to exciting public events to help get some of our best educational resources into the hands of the public. These outreach events run the gamut from sustainability expos and Earth Day celebrations to home shows and energy-efficient building showcases. It's great to get out of the office and get some real face time with the people of all ages who visit our booth – and it never ceases to amaze me how knowledgeable and interested most consumers are in improving the ways they use energy in their homes and businesses.
Visitors to the
Solar Decathlon in Washington D.C. last year might have seen a fantastic exhibit called Anatomy of a House, which we feature at some of the larger events we attend. It's an interactive house that visitors can walk through to learn more about all sorts of energy efficiency technologies that can help them save energy and money, including high-efficiency
insulation,
windows,
lighting,
heating and cooling systems, and home
appliances. The hands-on experience inspires people to learn more about these everyday products, which they start to see in a new light—and it often stimulates them to start asking more questions.
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