Three nonprofits—the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council, the National Center on School Infrastructure, and the New Buildings Institute—have formed the HVAC Change Lab, a new partnership to improve health, safety, and academic success by upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in schools. The groups are partnering with school districts and industry experts to create a peer network and provide one-on-one coaching and technical assistance to make school HVAC systems cleaner and more efficient.
Aging HVAC systems in schools can lead to reduced indoor air quality, poor student health and educational performance, increased costs, and limited capacity to support community needs during extreme weather events. School districts face persistent barriers to updating antiquated and inefficient systems, including limited staff capacity, fragmented access to technical guidance and funding opportunities, and difficulty navigating financing options and delivery models. The HVAC Change Lab is designed to provide a network-based approach to support districts and help address these barriers.
The HVAC Change Lab will pilot a centralized support network for school districts, convening school facilities leaders, designers, health and climate experts, and other partners. The program will be working with 12-15 districts around the country, including these eight already enlisted:
- Ann Arbor Public Schools, Mich.
- Boise School District, Idaho
- Canajoharie Central School District, N.Y.
- Davis County Community School District, Iowa
- Oakland Unified School District, Calif.
- Prince William County Public Schools, Va.
- Sacramento Unified School District, Calif.
- Waukee Community School District, Iowa
“Being part of the HVAC Change Lab connects us with other districts facing similar challenges,” said a representative from Prince William County Public Schools. “We’re excited to learn from their experiences and to serve as a resource, helping to build understanding, alignment, and enthusiasm for more efficient systems.”
Along with school district partners and the three managing nonprofits, the HVAC Change Lab involves a growing national network of organizations. These organizations will offer critical, hands-on technical assistance and deep wells of experience in specific areas relating to clean air, facilities management, and more. Network partners include the following:
- American Lung Association (ALA)
- ASHRAE
- Association of School Business Officers (ASBO) International
- Energy Services Coalition (ESC)
- Green Schools National Network (GSNN)
- National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO)
- National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO)
- National Council on School Facilities (NCSF)
- National School Plant Managers Association (NSPMA)
- UndauntedK12
More information is available here.