How Schools Can Use Federal Dollars for IAQ, Resilience, and More

Many K–12 schools have raced to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) during the COVID-19 pandemic, but major barriers remain, according to a report released by ASHRAE and The Center for Green Schools. These include aging HVAC systems. But help may be on the way in the form of billions in relief funding from the federal government, says another report from The Center for Green Schools and UndauntedK12. These dollars can be spent on a variety of initiatives to boost health equity, resilience, and building performance.

High on the list for many schools will be modernized HVAC systems to support better ventilation and filtration. But the possibilities go well beyond such upgrades to include investments in:

• climate literacy for students
• resilience planning
• onsite energy production
• green cleaning supplies
• daylighting infrastructure
• mold remediation

The report highlights five guiding principles for prioritizing spending needs. These focus on equity, student health, efficient building performance, resilience, and climate literacy.

“The one-time nature of these funds makes them an excellent fit for durable investments in facilities that will yield benefits for years to come,” the report notes.

More on COVID-19 and buildings

Antimicrobials Generally Not Recommended for COVID, CDC Confirms

Does COVID Have You Wondering About Your Building’s IAQ?

Aerosols and Micro-droplets: HVAC Approaches During COVID-19

Drying Hands in the Age of COVID-19

HVAC Strategies During COVID-19 (free on-demand webcast)

For more information:

The Center for Green Schools
usgbc.org