I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit that I’ve never been to the Home and Garden Idea Fair. What am I missing?
This is the 19th year Clark Public Utilities has hosted the fair and we think it just gets better each year. We encourage you to check it out this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds.
“We started the Home and Garden Idea Fair to offer customers ideas on using energy more wisely inside and outside the home, and to learn about new energy technologies,” said DuWayne Dunham, energy counselor. “Employees volunteer their time to host the fair, which gives us an opportunity to meet our customers and answer their questions directly.”
The fair has grown through the years and now attracts thousands from throughout the metro area.
Clark County’s New Tradition Homes will again showcase the Energy Smart Home, where you can see demonstrations of energy-saving technologies. Steve Tapio of New Traditions says this year’s home will feature a functioning ductless heat pump system, a 95 percent efficient gas furnace and air conditioner, and a tankless water heater.
Visitors also can see solar evacuator tubes on the roof for solar water heating and a rain barrel system that diverts rainwater to a vegetable-herb garden.
Clark Public Utilities energy counselors will also be on hand in the utility display area to offer tips on saving energy and answer questions about utility programs and incentives, such as the refrigerator recycling program that offers customers a $30 bill credit when they agree to have the utility properly dispose of old refrigerators and freezers.
The utility will have computers available so customers can complete an online energy audit of their homes, using the utility’s home energy calculator software. “It’s simple to use and will tell you where you’re using the most energy in your home,” Dunham said. “That will help you reduce your energy use.”
Clark Public Utilities water services representatives also will be at the fair to discuss water quality and irrigation safety and answer your questions about water use.
If you are interested in gardening, you’ll want to visit the plant sale sponsored by the Specialty Nursery Association of Clark County. More than 60 nurseries will be on hand, featuring hundreds of plants and landscaping products.
The show also features landscape displays, coordinated by the Washington Association of Landscape Professionals.
“The sale is one of the largest in the region,” Dunham said. “You’ll find unique plants suited to our area at reasonable prices and get landscaping ideas from some of the best designers.”
The 19th annual Clark Public Utilities Home and Garden Idea Fair will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. It is held at the Clark County Fairgrounds, 17402 N.E. Delfel Road, Ridgefield. Admission is free but a donation of two cans of food for Clark County food banks is suggested; cash donations also will be accepted for Operation Warm Heart. Parking is $6 per car. For more information, call 360-992-3000, visit http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/community/hgif or see the insert in today’s Columbian.
The Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities energy counselors, who provide conservation and energy use information to utility customers. Send questions to energyadviser@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, in care of Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA. 98668. Past topics are available at www.clarkpublicutilities.com.
