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NAESCO Partners with the National HVAC Change Lab to Strengthen School Health, Efficiency, and Resilience

March 3, 2026 – The National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO) has engaged with a new national partnership — the HVAC Change Lab — to advance healthier, more efficient, and more resilient school buildings across the United States.

The HVAC Change Lab is led by three nonprofit organizations:

  • Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council
  • National Center on School Infrastructure
  • New Buildings Institute

Together, the partners will work with school districts and industry experts to create a centralized peer network that provides one-on-one coaching, technical assistance, and practical guidance to modernize school heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

Addressing a National Infrastructure Challenge

Across the country, aging HVAC systems continue to impact indoor air quality, student health, academic performance, operating costs, and community resilience during extreme weather events. School districts often face persistent barriers to modernization, including limited staff capacity, fragmented technical guidance, complex funding pathways, and challenges navigating procurement 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.

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.

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

Other 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 State Energy Officials (NASEO)
  • National Council on School Facilities (NCSF)
  • National School Plant Managers Association (NSPMA)
  • UndauntedK12

Learn More

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 at https://school-infrastructure.org/about-us/hvac-change-lab/.

About The National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO)

The National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO) is the leading advocacy and accreditation organization for Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) and is dedicated to modernizing America's building infrastructure. NAESCO unites the energy service industry by promoting favorable government policies, sponsoring a rigorous accreditation program, and providing professional training and education. NAESCO champions the interests of ESCOs across the nation. Learn more about NAESCO, its members, membership benefits, and the accreditation process at www.naesco.org, and follow NAESCO on Twitter (@NaescoNews) and LinkedIn (@naesco).

About Center for Green Schools 

The Center for Green Schools is a global leader in advancing green schools, providing school districts and education leaders with resources and training to create sustainable, healthy, resilient and equitable learning environments. We support and train those implementing sustainability within school systems to be the most effective change agents they can be, through professional development, peer networks, research, and advocacy. Learn more at centerforgreenschools.org.

About the National Center on School Infrastructure

The National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI) is a national resource hub that supports states and school districts in the stewardship of America’s elementary and secondary public school facilities. Our resource library offers easy access to high-quality guidance and practical tools for building, maintaining, and improving school buildings and grounds. Through training, technical assistance, and collaboration, we build connections and understanding across states and impact areas, focusing on the highest-need areas. NCSI is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and based at the University of California, Berkeley. Learn more at school-infrastructure.org.

About New Buildings Institute

New Buildings Institute (NBI) provides trusted, independent expertise to create buildings that are better for people, communities, and the planet. Our work focuses on increasing energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and improving indoor air quality in the built environment. From driving leading-edge design, curating innovative technologies, creating community-driven public policy, and supporting cutting-edge market solutions, our work lowers energy costs, delivers improved health and safety, and increases resilience to improve lives. To learn more about NBI and our work, visit newbuildings.org.