Ameresco and the Art Institute of Chicago Complete Building Optimization to Advance Energy Efficiency, Cultural Preservation, and Community Impact

The multi-phase initiative has significantly improved air quality, humidity control, and overall building performance, while introducing advanced maintenance tracking and notification systems. These enhancements directly support the museum’s mission to share its singular collections with the City of Chicago and the world.

Founded in 1879, the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the world’s major museums, housing an extraordinary collection of objects from across places, cultures, and time. The newly implemented systems utilize customized cloud-based machine learning algorithms to optimize air handler conditioning, achieving energy savings of 30–50% in cooling and reheat energy. These savings allow the museum to redirect funds toward its mission of fostering inclusive cultural exchange and inspiring expansive understandings of human creativity.

The project’s technical backbone includes machine learning models that monitor building performance and deliver optimized setpoints for air handling equipment. These models work in tandem with the Building Automation System (BAS) to reduce energy consumption while allowing the museum to continue to maintain desired environmental and comfort conditions.

“Working with the Art Institute of Chicago on this initiative has been deeply rewarding,” said Lou Maltezos, President of Central & Western USA, Canada Regions at Ameresco. “This project supports the museum’s role as a vital, leading cultural institution. By improving environmental conditions and reducing energy use, we’re helping the museum focus its resources on enriching public engagement and honoring its legacy as a steward of global artistic heritage.”

This collaboration between Ameresco and the Art Institute of Chicago highlights how energy-efficient building upgrades can support cultural institutions in their core mission, while enhancing operational excellence.

To learn more about the energy efficiency solutions offered by Ameresco, visit www.ameresco.com/energy-efficiency/

About Ameresco, Inc.

Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) is a leading energy solutions provider dedicated to helping customers reduce costs, enhance resilience, and decarbonize to net zero in the global energy transition. Our comprehensive portfolio includes implementing smart energy efficiency solutions, upgrading aging infrastructure, and developing, constructing, and operating distributed energy resources. As a trusted full-service partner, Ameresco shows the way by reducing energy use and delivering energy infrastructure solutions to Federal, state and local governments, utilities, educational and healthcare institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and industrial customers. Headquartered in Framingham, MA, Ameresco has more than 1,500 employees providing local expertise in North America and Europe. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.

The announcement of completion of a customer’s project contract is not necessarily indicative of the timing or amount of revenue from such contract, of Ameresco’s overall revenue for any particular period or of trends in Ameresco’s overall total project backlog. This project was included in Ameresco’s previously reported contracted backlog as of June 30, 2025.