The case for residential energy efficiency often turns on two benefits: saving on energy bills or saving the world.

This year's Midwest Energy Solutions Conference (MES) incorporated interactive workshops into its agenda for the first time ever, and one of the three workshops focused on Net Zero Energy (NZE) in the Midwest.

Author’s note: this article is best enjoyed with musical accompaniment.

Last week the Iowa House Commerce Committee passed Senate File 2311, a bill that will significantly alter the way utilities drive customer energy savings programs in Iowa.

Last year, I entered the Hilton Chicago to embark on my very first Midwest Energy Solutions Conference. Being new to the MEEA staff, I gleaned a lot of good advice from colleagues, but there was nothing like experiencing the conference full-on for the first time.

Energy efficiency investments and their resulting energy savings drive financial benefits throughout the Midwest region.

The number of connected devices globally will reach 50 billion by 2020. But a central question remains unanswered: Who will ensure that these devices provide maximum social benefit with minimal consequence?

As the effort to improve building efficiency continues, the effects these changes have on indoor air quality can easily be forgotten.

To most outsiders, the world of energy efficiency probably appears static with slow, incremental changes. A furnace rebate here, light bulb swap-out there, maybe an updated building energy code every few years.

Building efficiency experts from around the Midwest convened in Ann Arbor, MI on November 15-16 for the 8th Annual Midwest Building Energy Codes Conference.