Delivering 100+ Energy Audits Across Washington 

When Washington State introduced its Clean Building Performance Standards, public-sector building owners faced a significant challenge: meeting new energy efficiency requirements across thousands of facilities. Across the state, agencies, school districts and higher education institutions stepped up to lead the way toward compliance and carbon reduction. 

Beginning in late 2024, McKinstry partnered with these organizations to complete more than 100 ASHRAE Level 2 energy audits covering over 10 million square feet. The audits identified more than $8 million in potential annual energy savings and over 45 gigawatt-hours in reduced energy use — helping clients make measurable progress toward energy and emissions goals. 

Helping Clients Capture More Grant Funding 

Public-sector organizations across Washington have also taken advantage of new funding opportunities through the state’s Clean Buildings program. With proactive planning and preparation, McKinstry clients secured significant grant funds — more than any other group in the region. 

Because many of these clients, including school districts and higher education institutions like Seattle Colleges and Western Washington University, had already benchmarked their buildings and assessed performance, they were ready to act quickly when state grants became available. 

“Our clients who had already taken the first steps toward compliance were best positioned to leverage this opportunity,” said Justin Lee, operations manager for Technical Services in Washington. “Preparation and partnership made all the difference.” 

Turning Data Into Action 

Each audit assessed building envelopes, lighting, HVAC and electrical systems to uncover cost-effective, energy-saving measures. The results provided a clear roadmap for energy improvements that reduce operational costs and improve comfort and reliability for occupants. 

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