Business Details
43 Years
experience
Premier Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Solutions
Prairie Engineering PC, P.C. was founded on May 1, 1983, by Lon Drevecky P.E. and Greg Dockter P.E., establishing a dual-office presence in Minot and Bismarck, North Dakota. Our firm specializes in mechanical and electrical design engineering for commercial, industrial, and institutional projects across the Upper Midwest and Western United States. With over 40 years of regional expertise, we address unique climatic challenges through innovative HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems tailored to harsh winter conditions. Our team of 20+ professionals, led by four licensed principals, prioritizes sustainable design principles, including energy recovery, water conservation, and geothermal systems. We maintain long-standing client relationships through collaborative project management, post-construction support, and adherence to LEED and Energy Star standards.Our engineers hold professional registrations across eight states, ensuring compliance with local and national codes. Client testimonials highlight our technical proficiency, project reliability, and commitment to regional infrastructure development. We serve diverse sectors including education, healthcare, corrections, and municipal facilities, emphasizing energy efficiency and lifecycle cost optimization. Our dual-office structure enables localized service delivery while maintaining centralized quality control for complex projects.
Services
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
HVAC Design
Sustainable Systems
Energy Analysis
Plumbing Systems
Fire Suppression
Network Infrastructure
Water Treatment
Geothermal Systems
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of regional engineering expertise in harsh climate conditions
- Our team includes four licensed principals with multi-state registrations
- We implement energy recovery systems that reduce operational costs by 10-30%
- We provide full lifecycle project support from feasibility studies to commissioning
- Our designs consistently exceed IECC energy efficiency requirements by 10%
Associations and certifications
- LEED
- Energy Star
What people say
Preferred engineering services
Successful projects
Attention to detail
Energy-efficient solutions
Regional expertise
Services
Mechanical Engineering
Our mechanical engineering services focus on HVAC systems optimized for extreme climates. We design energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions that maintain comfort while reducing operational costs by 10-30% through advanced energy recovery techniques. Our engineers utilize computer modeling to predict system performance across all seasons, ensuring reliable operation in harsh Midwestern winters.
Electrical Engineering
We provide comprehensive electrical engineering for facilities ranging from 15kV distribution to 480V systems. Our designs incorporate energy-efficient lighting that exceeds IECC requirements by 10%, smart control systems, and infrastructure for future technology upgrades. Our team ensures code compliance and scalability for evolving electrical demands in commercial and industrial settings.
Sustainable Systems
Our sustainable design approach integrates geothermal energy, water conservation fixtures, and energy recovery systems. We help clients achieve LEED certification through lifecycle cost analysis and renewable energy implementation. These systems reduce environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiency, with geothermal solutions cutting heating costs by up to 50% in suitable applications.
Energy Analysis
We conduct detailed energy audits using computer modeling to identify cost-saving opportunities. Our analysis evaluates existing systems' performance across all seasons, recommending improvements that typically reduce energy consumption by 15-25%. This service helps clients prioritize upgrades with the highest return on investment while maintaining system reliability.
Plumbing Systems
Our plumbing designs incorporate low-flow fixtures that reduce water consumption by 20-30% without compromising performance. We engineer systems for both sanitary and storm water management, considering seasonal temperature variations. The designs include predictive modeling for system performance and incorporate materials resistant to corrosion and leaks in harsh environments.
People
Jason L. Hunze
President
President since 2022 with Prairie Engineering PC since 1997. Electrical engineering expert with registrations in four states. Combines construction management experience with design expertise to create practical, maintainable electrical systems for commercial and industrial facilities.
Jeremy J. Butman
Vice President
Vice President since 2022 with 20+ years of experience in electrical systems for hospitals, schools, and public works. Holds registrations in five states. Specializes in integrating aesthetics with functionality in diverse building types while maintaining code compliance.
Caleb A. Bulow
Treasurer
Treasurer since 2022 with mechanical engineering expertise across healthcare, education, and industrial sectors. Licensed in six states. Focuses on designing efficient HVAC systems that balance comfort, code compliance, and energy efficiency in extreme climates.
Blake A. Wagner
Mechanical Department Head
Bismarck Mechanical Department Head since 2021. Specializes in mechanical systems for educational, medical, and municipal facilities. Licensed in five states. Prioritizes maintenance-friendly designs that meet energy efficiency standards while addressing specific facility usage requirements.
Questions
What geographic areas does Prairie Engineering serve?
We primarily serve North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, Idaho, and Wyoming, with specialized expertise in addressing the unique climatic challenges of these regions.
What building types does Prairie Engineering specialize in?
We have extensive experience with educational facilities, healthcare institutions, correctional facilities, commercial buildings, and municipal infrastructure projects across the Upper Midwest and Western states.
How does Prairie Engineering handle harsh climate conditions?
Our engineers design HVAC and plumbing systems specifically optimized for extreme winter conditions, ensuring reliable performance through proper system sizing and energy recovery techniques developed over 40 years of regional experience.
What sustainable design services do you offer?
We implement energy recovery systems, geothermal solutions, water-efficient fixtures, and LEED-certified designs that reduce energy consumption by 10-30% while maintaining system reliability and code compliance.
How do you ensure project success from start to finish?
We provide comprehensive support through all project phases, from initial feasibility studies to final commissioning, maintaining continuous client collaboration and offering post-construction assistance to address any operational concerns.
