Three U.S.-based nonprofits – Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council, the National Center on School Infrastructure, and 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.

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 the eight listed below. Along with school district partners and the three managing nonprofits, the HVAC change lab involves a growing national network of organizations, also listed below. 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. Additional participants will be added to the program website when formally confirmed.

“Being part of the HVAC Change Lab connects us with other districts facing similar challenges,” said a representative from Prince William County Public Schools, Va. “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.”

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 coordinated network-based approach to support districts and help address these barriers. The program will help school districts successfully plan and implement facilities upgrades through coordination, shared learning, and practical, peer-to-peer support. It will also produce a field-tested library of resources and best practices for district leaders nationwide.

“We are excited and so pumped for what this relationship will do for our small school district,” said a representative from Davis County Community School District, Iowa.

A kickoff event at the Green Schools Conference on Feb. 19 brought together school districts and partners to set priorities for the year-long pilot. The session generated strong enthusiasm for the Change Lab’s coordinated, data-driven approach and confirmed a clear demand from districts and partners for more unified support. District leaders emphasized the value of connecting with peers to learn from proven HVAC project strategies and voiced strong interest in the tools, resources, and coaching the HVAC Change Lab will deliver. Participants also affirmed the importance of focusing specifically on HVAC as a high-priority opportunity for meaningful progress and positive student outcomes. The HVAC Change Lab implementation will begin in March 2026 and continue through spring 2027.

Learn More and Stay Connected

School districts, partners, funders, and technical experts interested in the HVAC Change Lab are invited to join the effort to improve air quality in schools and support healthier classrooms! Learn more and stay informed here. 

School Districts

• 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

Network Partners:

• 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