Saving Energy, Serving Communities: Powering…

Smarter Schools. Efficient Buildings. A Stronger Wisconsin.

McKinstry isn’t your typical construction firm. A national leader in designing, building, and operating high-performance buildings, McKinstry supports Wisconsin clients across education, government, healthcare, and industry cut energy waste, lower emissions, and future-proof their facilities. In Wisconsin, that mission comes to life through a powerful partnership with Focus on Energy—one that’s delivering measurable savings and long-term sustainability to schools and communities statewide.

That leadership earned McKinstry a 2025 Energy Efficiency Excellence Award.

In 2024 alone, McKinstry partnered with Focus on Energy on 12 high-impact projects, completing smart upgrades across universities, school districts, and public facilities. These improvements led to more than:

1.23 million kilowatt-hours of electricity saved annually
88,000 therms of natural gas saved
$229,000 in annual utility cost savings
3.1 million pounds of CO₂ emissions avoided
$236,000 in energy incentives earned

“Our goal is to help clients find sustainable solutions and make their buildings operate more efficiently,” said Tyler Huebner, during the award event at McKinstry’s Madison office. “Whether that outcome is lowering utility bills or reducing greenhouse gas emissions—we want every project to be a success.”

Smarter Buildings. Lasting Impact.

In 2024, McKinstry led retrocommissioning (RCx) work at UW–Parkside, optimizing energy systems across multiple buildings. They upgraded chillers and HVAC systems at Monona Grove and Delavan-Darien School Districts, improving comfort and energy performance for students and staff. And at UW–Stevens Point, McKinstry improved system efficiency across campus.

“These weren’t just technical projects—they were transformational,” said Commissioner Kristy Nieto of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. “McKinstry’s collaboration with Focus on Energy helped public institutions reduce emissions, save money, and invest in the future.”

Leading the Next Wave of Energy Innovation

McKinstry is also pushing the envelope in smart building technology. In 2024, they partnered with Focus on Energy on pilot programs like the NLC/HVAC Integration Pilot and Local Lighting Pilot, exploring how integrated controls can supercharge energy efficiency

Their expanded RCx services allow clients to optimize existing infrastructure instead of replacing it—prolonging system life, reducing maintenance costs, and unlocking new energy savings.

A Vision to Build a Thriving Planet

The company has also earned a spot on RENEW Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Honor Roll for three consecutive years. In early 2025, McKinstry was recognized for solar projects at Green Bay Area Public Schools, Monona Grove, and Madison Metropolitan School District—projects that collectively save more than $106,000 annually and prevent over 1.7 million pounds of CO₂ emissions.

“We’re proud to partner with Focus on Energy to help Wisconsin lead the way,” said Huebner. “Because when we save energy together—we build a better future for everyone.”