2012 ECO EXPERIENCE

Presented by the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, this exhibit is designed to inspire people to lead more sustainable lives while improving quality of life and the environment.

The Eco Experience brings together hundreds of local organizations, ideas, and hands-on activities.  If you are looking for the products and organizations you saw at the Eco Experience, visit www.ecoexperience.org.

NEW FOR THE 2012 ECO EXPERIENCE:
Energy Solutions Home
Green Building & Energy Ideas for Homes in Minnesota

Home Performance Impact

Demonstrating a wide variety of information about the effects of the operation of Minnesota homes and opportunities to improve performance, this interactive display asks fair visitors questions about statewide and typical household usage of energy, water, etc. By manipulating doors, windows, sliders, and buttons, fair guests reveal the answers. The display also features a computer kiosk that demonstrates an interactive program, such as the Energy Challenge from CEE. Finally, incorporated on the walls of the stage enclosure are stories about Minnesota homeowners and businesses that have made successful building improvements.

Home Light

This display features an interactive wall of lighting options, which fair visitors will be able to select for lighting characteristics such as color temperature, brightness, efficiency, and technology. Also included inside are small dioramas of rooms in a home (kitchen, bathroom, office, living/dining room) with examples of fixtures and lighting appropriate for each location.

Window/Door Retrofit

This display demonstrates the options for rehabilitating existing windows and doors. It features a window and door that will have portions that are in need of repair and sections showing options such as weather strip replacement, caulking, jamb insulation/air sealing, window film, sash replacement, etc. Included will be educational signage and materials regarding options.

Renewables Siting

Demonstrating the basic concepts around incorporating renewable energy for home applications, this space will provide information on the proper selection and siting of renewable energy system installations. Included will be educational signage and materials regarding considerations for selecting appropriate technologies, proper siting, and choosing a dealer/installer. Design recommendations for renewable-readiness for new homes or major renovations will include home location and orientation, as well as considerations around window placement and shading. This display includes an interactive model showing a home in a setting with trees and other opstructions that allows fair visitors to move a lamp on a swing arm to various positions to indicate solar access at various times of the day and year.

Ice Dam/Air Sealing

To demonstrate the causes, effects, and solutions to ice dams, this display features a model of a typical attic/roof that shows the opportunities to seal around attic penetrations in order to reduce energy losses and ice dam occurrences.

Home Envelope

This display demonstrates the opportunities for insulating and sealing existing sidewalls and rim joists, as well as story homes, attics, and deep retrofit options. Tabletop displays demonstrate the problems associated with uninsulated structures and provide guidance for a homeowner-completed approach, a contractor method, and a deep retrofit option. Additionally, there will be examples of attic insulation, showing the proper depth and material options with associated R-values.

Interior Water Conservation

This display demonstrates the importance of reducing potable water usage in homes and consists of several water-using fixtures (toilet, sink, shower), including low flow options. Additionally, there will be information and demonstrations on leak repairs and other strategies homeowners can use to reduce water usage.

Green Materials/Appliances

This display demonstrates the range of options for green materials and finishes in homes, as well as the options for choosing energy efficient applicances. The display consists of a vignette of a kitchen (with island cabinet) and ENERGY STAR refrigerator, dishwasher, and other appliances with an adjacent laundry room demonstrating a HE washer and dryer. Included will be educational signage and materials regarding options.

Paying for It

This display provides opportunities for guests to learn about ways to finance the home investments they are considering. Included will be information about Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) fix-up loans and other financing methods, as well as a computer kiosk set up to allow fair visitors to enter their utility company and see the listing of rebates available.

Eco Experience is located in the Progress Center on Randall Avenue.

SCHEDULE:

For a complete Sustainability Stage schedule, search the Fun Finder or download a daily schedule here.