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Energy-Efficiency Tax Credit (25C) is Creating More Jobs
The job market is kind of a mess right now. Everywhere you look, companies are “hiring” but it seems like no one can get a job. However, the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit (also known as the 25C tax credit) is doing more than helping homeowners save money on energy upgrades A recent report from Rewiring America discusses how this federal incentive is... -
Minnesota Energy Company Tests Groundbreaking New Technology
I hear it said nearly every day that “the world is changing.” I think that this is accurate in a lot of ways—some good, some not-so-good—but today I want to highlight something that I consider revolutionary in its own right. Prisma Photonics and Great River Energy installed a grid-monitoring system across 90 miles in northern Minnesota, according to a January 2025 press release. This new... -
What Contractors Should Know About the 2024-2025 IECC
Back in August, the International Code Council published the 2024 version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). I know that’s a lot of big words and acronyms, but the IECC is basically a rule book for the formation of minimum design and construction requirements. Most states use this model code as the basis for their commercial building energy code to regulate energy-efficient building design. The... -
Hottest Lighting Trends for Spring 2025
We’re already more than a quarter of the way through 2025 (where is the time going?), moving into one of my personal favorite months of the year: April! The changing of the seasons always brings a sense of renewal—a fresh, clean start—and updating your lighting can play a huge role in giving any space a new look. Here are the best lighting trends... -
When Should You Start Saving for Retirement as a Built Environment Professional?
You’re knee-deep in your trade, hustling hard, getting your hands dirty while getting that sweet, sweet paycheck. Whether you’re wiring up an entire building as an electrician, laying pipes as a plumber, or putting together HVAC systems, you’ve gone through the processes to get you to the career that you’re in today. Congrats! You’ve got a good thing going. But here’s my question: Have... -
How to Turn Your Home from Boring to Bright with Layered Lighting
Lately, I’ve been on an interior design kick—one that might be a little dangerous for my wallet. Between YouTube rabbit holes and endless Pinterest scrolling, I’ve been searching for ways to make a creative statement in my space. And let me tell you, there’s no shortage of tips and tricks out there. But one piece of advice keeps showing up in every design blog—and...