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Home / Blog / Pella sponsors student education at U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

Energy-efficient Pella® windows on display during event
Oct 7, 2013

Californians will learn more about energy-saving ideas thanks to presentations by Pella® Windows and Doors during October Energy Awareness Month. During the 6th biennial U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon and XPO at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, Calif., Oct. 3 – 6 and Oct. 10 – 13, in conjunction with Energy Awareness Month, Pella representatives will present energy-saving ideas to area students and adults.

As a contributing sponsor of educational sessions, Pella will display its energy-efficient Pella products at the XPO. Pella representatives will help educate visitors about how to make energy-efficient choices when choosing new or replacement windows and doors for their homes.

Pella will educate hundreds of California middle school students during the School Days events on Oct. 10 -11 about the importance of looking for the ENERGY STAR® label on products and give them ideas on how to save energy at home. Pella engineer Kevin Gaul and spokesperson Kathy Krafka Harkema will lead the interactive sessions.

“The name of our presentation is ‘Playing It Cool’. It’s a game show theme and focuses on sustainability and home energy efficiency,” Gaul said. “Young people can make a significant impact on the amount of energy used in their own homes and we want to give them the knowledge they need to make that positive impact.”

Recognized as a 2013 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, Pella educates consumers about the importance of choosing ENERGY STAR-qualified products. “Our goal would be for the students to walk away with a stronger knowledge of ways they can positively impact energy efficiency within their own home, as well as have a better understanding of other areas within the realm of sustainability such as the ENERGY STAR program, renewable energy and electronics recycling,” Gaul said.

“Incorporating energy-saving ideas and ENERGY STAR-qualified products into homes and businesses is key to using resources responsibly,” said Krafka Harkema. “Pella is proud to help sponsor this event to help Solar Decathlon attendees learn how they can save energy as they design, build, remodel or maintain their own home,” she said.

About the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon and XPO

First held in 2002, the Solar Decathlon is a biennial competition where 20 teams from universities throughout the world compete in a challenge to design, build and operate solar-powered houses. The winning team is selected based on its ability to create houses that best incorporate cost-effectiveness, consumer appeal and design excellence.

During the Solar Decathlon, attendees can visit exhibits and participate in activities that emphasize the importance of energy efficiency and energy conservation. Visitors can learn about renewable energy, incorporating energy efficiency in home design, as well as transportation, food production and education, and product innovations from companies like Pella Windows and Doors.

For more information about the Solar Decathlon and XPO visit Solardecathlon.gov or the-xpo.org.

About Pella

Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications.

As a family-owned and professionally managed privately-held company, Pella is known for its 88-year history of making innovative products, providing quality service and delivering on customer satisfaction. Headquartered in Pella, Iowa, the company is committed to incorporating new technologies, increasing productivity and practicing environmental stewardship to create satisfied customers.

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