Over the past decade, New Buildings Institute (NBI) and the Center for Green Schools (CfGS) have collaborated through independent programs to provide K-12 schools across the U.S. with technical assistance, in-person events, and virtual learning opportunities. These two organizations are excited to combine their efforts in 2026 to officially partner on an HVAC Change Lab, an innovative approach to support school districts in improving their operations. The HVAC Change Lab is a catalytic initiative created to address the urgent infrastructure crisis facing U.S. schools. Forty-one percent of American schools need to replace their HVAC system or install new systems. Currently, 14,000 schools lack air conditioning entirely. This crisis jeopardizes learning and health for 50.8 million students, creating poor indoor air quality, aggravating respiratory conditions such as asthma, and leading to more than 14 million missed school days annually. The root causes are not a lack of technical solutions, but deep, persistent barriers: (1) insufficient staff to manage complex infrastructure projects, (2) fragmented access to trustworthy information and funding, and (3) an $85 billion annual gap in school infrastructure investment.
The HVAC Change Lab
The NBI and CfGS teams have designed an engaging and transformative program to build the capacity of 10-15 districts across the country and the personnel currently engaged in HVAC design and operation. Activities will include convening a community of practice to foster collaboration, providing training and 1:1 coaching for district staff, and developing key resources requested by participating districts. Findings and resources from the program will be shared with the broader school facilities community, and subject-matter experts and national partners will provide support throughout the HVAC Change Lab.
Kicking Off With a Workshop at the Green Schools Conference
The Green Schools Conference (February 17-19, 2026, in San Diego) returns for its 16th year, bringing together educators, school leaders, advocates, and changemakers who drive whole-school and district sustainability. This energizing three-day event explores bold, practical solutions to advance green schools, with a focus on environmental impact, health and well-being, sustainability literacy, and systemic change across all levels of education. With inspiring keynotes, expert-led sessions, hands-on workshops, and powerful networking opportunities, the conference equips attendees with the tools, strategies, and community support needed to lead the charge for healthier, more sustainable learning environments.
The HVAC Change Lab will kick off with an invitation-only half-day workshop on the final morning of the conference (February 19), featuring an engaging agenda to convene school districts and green schools partners and focused on a review of current resources, programs, funding approaches, and to identify existing needs related to HVAC design and operation in schools.
If you’re interested in learning more, contact us at schools@newbuildings.org.
New Buildings Institute’s Strong Schools Initiative: NBI’s Strong Schools Initiative transforms how American school buildings use energy and contribute to carbon emissions. We partner with state and school district leadership, design professionals, facilities managers, and school occupants to advance districts on the road to carbon neutrality based on our research and learnings in zero energy schools. NBI supports school districts of various sizes nationwide with consultative and educational support for local school designers, builders, and administrators at the state and local levels. Contact us at schools@newbuildings.org to learn how we can support your school’s projects.
USGBC’s Center for Green Schools: The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council is a global leader in advancing green schools and providing the resources needed to create sustainable, healthy, resilient, and equitable learning environments. We are driving the green school movement by working directly with those implementing sustainability within school systems and offering various initiatives that accelerate action. Efforts of the Center are focused on education and events, establishing peer networks, making the case for green schools to policymakers, and researching the best practices and successes in the sustainable school building sector. For questions about the Green Schools Conference, email help@greenschoolsconference.org.
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by Shannon Oliver, Senior Project Manager
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