Facility Management for K-12: A Sustainable Solution
According to the federally issued Toolkit for Sustainable and Healthy Schoolsi, an estimated 36,000 public schools nationwide lack adequate HVAC systems, and due to rising temperatures, 13,700 public schools that did not need cooling in 1970 will need it by 2025. Hotter schools with lower air quality can negatively affect learning quality and potentially lead to lower test scores.
The National Education Association (NEA) echoed this fact by stating, “Hot classrooms are highly detrimental to student learning. In school buildings without working HVAC systems, they are also a public health issue.”ii
Facility Managers in K-12 education bear a significant responsibility for maintaining facility performance to enhance student learning and ensure faculty achievement. Maintaining these crucial facilities while realizing sustainability benefits and cost savings can be challenging.
Planned, essential HVAC services can help avoid costly breakdowns and, in extreme cases, prevent educational facilities from shutting down. Routine services for one of the most significant capital investments—the HVAC system—helps maintain operating performance and environmental conditions.
i White House Toolkit for Sustainable and Healthy Schools
ii It’s Getting Hot in Here: Without Air Conditioning, Students and Staff Suffer | NEA
