A $500 million grant program seeks to upgrade the infrastructure of U.S. schools, including improving HVAC systems.
Many schools rely on outdated HVAC systems that make classrooms less comfortable and may pose health risks. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is launching the grant program to lower energy costs, improve air quality and prioritize schools most in need.
Addressing school infrastructure needs
An influx of federal money to help schools update their HVAC systems is an opportunity for HVAC installers to expand their business in the K-12 school market. Concerns about ventilation and indoor air quality have already provided new opportunities for installers as schools sought to return to in-person instruction as the pandemic persisted.
The Biden Administration is supporting states, school districts, and local communities to leverage American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief resources to address school infrastructure needs. The project may include repairing, upgrading, or replacing ventilation systems, and purchasing air filters and portable air-cleaning devices.
Air quality improvements
The $350 billion in program funds may be used by state, local, and Tribal governments to support schools
Also, the U.S. Department of Treasury will soon release information to help school districts understand how they can use State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for a range of air quality and other school facility improvements, including energy efficiency.
The $350 billion in program funds may be used by state, local, and Tribal governments to support schools, including improvements or new construction of facilities in certain communities, consistent with program requirements.
New toolkit
A new toolkit from the White House reviews the available resources related to school infrastructure that can support state educational agencies, local educational agencies, and schools in undertaking this work. Local leaders can use the guide to identify sources of live technical support from federal agencies, key technical guides, and financial resources, including indoor air quality and energy efficiency.
The toolkit will further support school participation in the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge, which the Administration recently launched to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to improve air quality in buildings of all kinds, including schools.
Energy efficiency
The grants will support comprehensive energy efficiency audits and building retrofits
The pandemic focused attention on the disparities among K-12 public school facilities related to modern, efficient, and clean HVAC systems. Many districts face maintenance backlogs and are long overdue for new equipment. The grant programs will help schools improve facilities to deliver health protection, savings, and climate benefits.
The grants will support comprehensive energy efficiency audits and building retrofits, HVAC and lighting upgrades, and clean energy installation, and help train staff to maintain the improvements over time.
Technical assistance and training
The U.S. Department of Education is proposing a new Office of Infrastructure and Sustainability, part of the proposed FY2023 budget.
It would support a National Clearinghouse on School Infrastructure and Sustainability to provide technical assistance and training to state and local education agencies on issues of facility planning, design, financing, construction, improvement, operation, and maintenance.
Electrification of facilities
USDA's guidance informs how Rural Development programs can support rural electric cooperatives
The U.S. Department of Agriculture supports school facilities and vehicle electrification, including school buses.
In support of the commitment, the USDA released new guidance that informs how Rural Development programs can support rural electric cooperatives to advance electrification projects for schools and other public facilities and vehicles.
Funds to upgrade HVAC systems
An unprecedented amount of federal funds is currently available that can support school leaders in making building upgrades.
A February 2022 study of school district plans for using the $122 billion in American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds shows that school districts will use $9.7 billion to upgrade heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Overall, more than 24% of the available funds will go toward keeping schools operating safely.
