The Most Important Back-to-School Supply: Clean Air
- Energy Performance Solutions
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
As students head back to the classroom, we often focus on notebooks, pens, and new shoes. But what about the most critical element for a healthy and productive learning environment? The air they breathe. For school administrators and facility managers, ensuring high-quality indoor air is not just a health concern—it's a strategic investment in student success and a school's long-term sustainability.

The Link Between IAQ and Learning
The quality of a school's indoor air (IAQ) directly impacts student health, attendance, and academic performance. Studies have shown a clear connection between a school's HVAC system and student outcomes.
Improved Health and Reduced Absenteeism:Â Poor ventilation can lead to a buildup of pollutants and allergens, contributing to respiratory issues like asthma and the spread of infectious diseases. Upgrading to modern HVAC systems with high-efficiency filters (MERV 13 or higher) can significantly improve air quality, reducing illnesses and keeping students in their seats.
Enhanced Focus and Performance:Â Research by the State University of New York at Albany suggests that HVAC improvements can lead to better attendance, fewer suspensions, and a measurable improvement in math scores. A consistent, comfortable temperature and a quiet environment are essential for a student's ability to concentrate and learn effectively.
A Smart Investment for a Sustainable Future
Beyond the classroom, modern HVAC solutions are a powerful tool for achieving energy efficiency and lowering operational costs. Outdated systems are often one of a school's largest energy consumers, and upgrading them can deliver a significant return on investment.
Significant Energy Savings: Energy-efficient systems, such as all-electric heat pumps and Dedicated Outside Air Systems (DOAS), can drastically cut a school’s energy consumption. This translates into lower utility bills, allowing funds to be reallocated to other critical school needs.
Environmental Responsibility:Â Switching from fossil-fuel-based systems to modern electric alternatives helps schools reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Your Partner in Air Quality and Energy Performance
For over a decade, Energy Performance Solutions has partnered with educational institutions to modernize their infrastructure, improve indoor air quality, and realize substantial energy savings. We understand the unique challenges faced by schools and have helped a wide range of districts and universities create healthier, more efficient learning environments.
Our work goes beyond simple upgrades. We provide anti-corrosion protection on condenser coils for all our school and district partners to extend equipment life and maintain efficiency. We've also applied antimicrobial and anti-corrosion protection on evaporator coils for select clients to ensure cleaner, healthier air inside the units. For a world-class institution like Rice University, we provided a dual coating (ThermalBlock on HVAC cabinets and CoilSafe on coils) on five rooftop package units to protect against heat, corrosion, and microbial growth.
This is a testament to the comprehensive solutions we provide to our clients, including:
Port Arthur ISD
Barbers Hill ISD
Houston ISD
Klein ISD
Alief ISD
Aldine ISD
Spring Branch ISD
Rice University
U of H University
University of California, San Francisco
As you prepare for the academic year ahead, let's talk about how Energy Performance Solutions can help you make clean, healthy air your school's most valuable back-to-school essential.
Sources:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Indoor Air Quality in High Performance Schools."Â https://www.epa.gov/iaq-schools/indoor-air-quality-high-performance-schools
U.S. Department of Energy, "Prioritizing Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning."Â https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/prioritizing-heating-ventilation-and-air-conditioning
K-12 Dive, "HVAC improvements shown to improve student outcomes."Â https://www.k12dive.com/news/hvac-improvements-improve-student-outcomes-NY-univ-albany-Sorensen-hwang-radia/742092/
Learning Policy Institute, "The Air We Breathe: Why Good HVAC Systems Are an Essential Resource for Our Students and School Staff."Â https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/blog/covid-hvac-systems-essential-resource