Energize Missouri Mobile Tour Traveling the State with Interactive and Fun Exhibits Designed to Teach Energy Efficiency

Jefferson City, MO Sept 30, 2011 – The Energize Missouri Homes Tour, an initiative sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Energy to showcase cost-saving, energy-efficiency trends and technologies, will be in Springfield at the following locations:

· Friday, September 30 – Lowe’s at 1707 West Norton Road from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. · Saturday, September 31 – Greater Springfield Farmer’s Market on the Battlefield Mall parking lot (at the intersection of Battlefield and Glenstone) from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Adults and their children are encouraged to visit the exhibit to view a custom-designed vehicle which holds an array of exhibits about energy efficiency. Consumers have the opportunity to participate in interactive exhibits that will provide information on how to save energy and money. A licensed Energy Auditor will be available to give demonstrations, answer questions and offer cost-saving tips for cutting energy bills. There will also be giveaways and coupons available for items that make homes more energy efficient, as well as games and activities for children.

Visual exhibits include the “House of Pressure” which is made of clear plastic and allows consumers to see exactly how a home works “behind the scenes.”

The house has an operable forced air duct system, a dryer, bathroom fan, fireplace and water heater. There are smoke generators for the fireplace, water heater and car exhaust. “Viewing the House of Pressure is a valuable tool, because consumers can learn exactly what they can do to increase their home’s energy efficiency,” said Llona C. Weiss, Director of the Division of Energy for the state of Missouri.

The Energize Missouri vehicle is equipped with a handheld thermal imaging camera. The camera gives consumers the opportunity to point and shoot toward common features around their home to see areas of energy loss, air leakage and air flow. These features include windows with and without insulation, an attic fan, programmable thermostat, water heater timer, a lighting display and airflow system. With this thermal imaging camera, consumers can truly see where energy is wasted and learn how to maximize energy savings in their own homes. The camera is linked to an on-board LCD Screen so others around the exhibit can see the live image produced by the thermal camera. Additionally, consumers will be able to take photos with the camera and send those to their personal e-mail addresses.

Also featured is the “Did you Know” quiz that discusses common areas of energy loss in the home and solutions, as well as an Energy IQ test. Children will find plenty of things to keep them entertained including energy-related coloring books, as well as an online Energy Hog Game, which is a way to learn about energy efficiency around the home.

The Energy Auditor will give tips to increase energy efficiency in homes as well as share information about state tax credits such as the $1,000 a year/$2,000 lifetime maximum deduction for the cost of conducting a certified energy audit of your home and implementing the auditor’s recommendations.

Energize Missouri is a program funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act). The department is administering more than $200 million in Recovery Act funding to support Energize Missouri projects to create jobs and improve energy efficiency and renewable energy for Missouri. The department is committed to working closely with businesses, agricultural entities, industries and communities to assist with funding efforts that support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and provide financial savings.

For more information on the Energize Missouri Mobile Tour, contact Dalena Hardy at 573-526-5308, [email protected] or Stephanie Huff at The Vandiver Group at 314-799-1573, [email protected].

To see photos, find out more about the tour and find dates and locations of additional stops within Missouri, visit our Facebook page at Energize Missouri Homes Mobile Tour or view the Missouri Division of Energy website at www.dnr.mo.gov/energy

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