Post Author's Photographer By Kristin Eggen February 26, 2026

The Winneshiek Energy District now offers Commercial AuditPLUS+, a program for northeast Iowa commercial utility customers in Howard, Winneshiek, and Allamakee counties.

Commercial AuditPLUS+ is described as a program that goes beyond a traditional energy audit to help northeast Iowa businesses and organizations identify utility savings through installation of free energy monitoring sensors that show real-time energy consumption. The comprehensive on-site energy audit is performed by a certified energy auditor and provides a snapshot of a buildingโ€™s energy use.ย 

โ€œThe service is slightly different depending on your buildingโ€ says energy auditor Paul Cutting. โ€œIt typically includes: utility bill analysis, lighting inventory, appliance inventory, air leakage and insulation measurements, and a written report including recommendations for increased energy efficiency.โ€

Following the energy audit your energy auditor will review the results of the audit and share available financial incentives that could support future utility savings improvements.ย The program also provides FREE energy monitoring devices & free installation for enterprises that would benefit from more granular, long term energy tracking. Participants will work with an electrician to install energy monitoring devices in your circuit box for the ability to view a dashboard of your buildingโ€™s energy use in real time through a smartphone app. This tool will provide you insight into energy consumption trends including behavioral and environmental factors.ย  A follow up consultation after 6-9 months of energy monitoring. WEDโ€™s energy auditor will review your monitoring data with you and help identify behavioral or seasonal opportunities.

โ€œWeโ€™re excited to see how providing these relatively new devices to area businesses helps them identify seasonal or behavioral opportunities for savingsโ€ says Winneshiek Energy District Executive Director Kristin Eggen.

Interested participants are encouraged to attend a free informational webinar on March 11 at 3:00 PM. Register at energydistrict.org/events/ by Tuesday, March 10.

The Commercial AuditPLUS+ program is made possible by a grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority and support from local partners including Allamakee County Energy District and Howard County Energy District.ย Learn more at energydistrict.org/services/ Questions? Reach out to the Winneshiek Energy District at contact@energydistrict.org or call 563-382 4207 ext. 1.


Kristin Eggen first came to the Winneshiek Energy District as a Green Iowa AmeriCorps member in 2015. Eight years later, she is thrilled to lead the grassroots clean energy movement in Winneshiek County. Kristin deeply appreciates rural communities, Northeast Iowa, community sustainability, and nonprofit management. She uses The Art of Hosting Conversations that Matter methodology and graphic recording services to drive strategic conversations around community sustainability, justice, fundraising, and nonprofit health.

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