Rising energy costs and the increasing need for conservation have generated much interest in energy-efficient home retrofits. In response, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America program has developed the Cool Energy House, a remodeled show house that demonstrates the myriad ways in which an existing home can become more efficient.
Located in Windermere, Fla., the Cool Energy House features a host of efficiency upgrades and will be part of the 2012 International Builders Show (Feb. 8 through 11). If you can’t make it, don’t fret: After the show, you can take a virtual tour of the home at Retrofit Alliance.
The accompanying graphic illustrates some of the most common upgrades performed in a green remodel (but certainly not all of them!).