The International Builders' Show opens tomorrow in Orlando and my blog sponsor will be there with energy saving products. The company's PINK Fiberglas™ insulation will be part of the Tech Home in the Professional Builder's Show Village, one of three full-size houses built to showcase products in a home environment. Visitors are not likely to miss the home because it features Owens Corning shingles with a large diamond pattern. The entry way is also clad with Owens Corning Cultured Stone® manufactured stone veneer. I'm kind of bummed that the company didn't ask me to be there and help builders understand that Owens Corning makes it easier for them to meet the demands of today's home-buying customers. In a recent survey of registered voters, 90 percent(1) said they will pay up to $5,000 more for a more energy efficient home. No wonder; a properly insulated home can save up to 20 percent(2) on heating and cooling energy bills each year, helping buyers afford more home - or more Pink Panther™ movies.

Last year, the International Builders' Show attracted more than 100,000 attendees during four days of exhibits, seminars and other special presentations. There was 11 miles of aisles through two million square feet of gross exhibit space, enough to cover 35 football fields. More than 1,900 exhibitors displayed their housing products and services. This year's show includes a Green Day for the first time. I'll write more about that Thursday. If you want to check out the show on the Web, click here.

(1)Owens Corning Homeowner Survey 2006

(2)Savings will vary depending on your location and weather conditions. Calculations of energy savings based on a 1700 square foot, single story home, with base case insulation and air leakage levels equivalent to the average home built in 1965. Reference data sources include the U.S. Dept. of Commerce and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL) "Energy Savers Program". A summary of the calculation details is available upon request.