In just twelve weeks at McKinstry, I have already learned more about HVAC, EPC, and ECM calculations than I could have ever hoped to learn in a classroom. From lessons on open and closed chilled water loops to practice thermal energy storage optimization problems, I have expanded my technical knowledge of the energy performance contracting (EPC) industry in significant ways that will benefit me for years to come. However, the biggest lesson I learned from McKinstry had little do with calculations, floorplans or otherwise. Rather, the biggest lesson I learned from McKinstry is to embrace a mindset obsessed with the pursuit of efficiency.
Ash Awad, McKinstry’s Chief Market Officer, originally inspired my concept of a McKinstry mindset; a mindset focused on the relentless pursuit of efficiency. Mr. Awad explained how McKinstry believes that “50% of the energy in buildings is wasted and 50% of all construction cost are wasted.” From here, Ash explained that manufacturing – guided by a manufacturing mindset – is characterized by highly repeatable, highly efficient, and highly economical product systems. Unfortunately, the construction industry isn’t quite as efficient.
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