Comfortable conditions and good air quality significantly benefit students, but many aging school buildings around the country don’t have HVAC systems to properly support them. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), 40% of U.S. school districts report that at least half of their buildings need HVAC upgrades.
The need for HVAC upgrades isn’t just a facilities issue – it’s an opportunity to rethink how we design learning environments instead of merely replacing equipment. Retrofitting allows architects and engineers to deliver reliable, efficient, and maintainable solutions that fit each building’s unique footprint.
At Bard Manufacturing, we believe schools deserve modern climate control solutions. Let’s break down HVAC retrofitting solutions for schools that can help classrooms remain safe, comfortable, and compliant with today’s standards.
Common HVAC Challenges for Aging School Infrastructure
Approximately 36,000 schools lack HVAC systems that support more comfortable, productive learning environments. From outdated window units to a complete lack of air conditioning, there are a variety of reasons why aging school buildings fail to provide fresh outdoor air to improve indoor air quality and meet modern ventilation requirements.
Common challenges include:
- No cooling systems are in place – particularly in the Northeast and Midwest – despite rising temperatures and longer academic calendars.
- Legacy systems that fail to meet indoor air quality codes and lead to increased risk of mold or moisture damage due to humidity issues.
- Loud equipment that creates notable background noise that disrupts teachers and student engagement.
- Inefficient equipment that require schools to heat and cool the entire building, even if only a few rooms are in use.
- Inflexible controls that fail to help maintenance teams keep equipment operating optimally.
- Building constraints where older buildings weren’t designed with ductwork or modern HVAC systems in mind.
- Budget, where any new system would need to balance upfront costs with long-term value.
A Smart HVAC Retrofit Solution: Individualized Comfort Systems
Retrofitting school buildings involves more than swapping out mechanical systems. It’s a collaborative process that balances desired design for a student learning environment with mechanical performance. The good news is that HVAC retrofits don’t need to be disruptive, expensive, or overly complex – they just need to balance performance, ease of use, and longevity.
Just like every student is different, so is every classroom. Each space’s needs can change depending on its occupants, the sun, and several other factors, which is why single, separate comfort systems for different rooms are an appealing option for schools. Below are a few key factors that influence system choice, and which features help individualized comfort systems address them.
Performance and Comfort
Fresh air, humidity control, and consistent temperatures are essential for student wellbeing and learning focus. However, traditional HVAC systems can struggle to deliver the dependable, quality heating and cooling needed throughout the school year.
- Older systems often fail to meet current ventilation codes (e.g., 15 CFM per student), leading to poor air quality.
- Improper humidity control can cause moisture issues and discomfort.
- Temperature imbalances between classrooms are common in centralized systems.
Try This Approach:
Exterior and interior wall-mount systems offer individual classroom control, ensuring each space meets its comfort and ventilation requirements. Teachers can adjust their individual classrooms as needed to create a more stable, healthier learning environment. Look for features like:
- High-MERV filtration, in standard sizes up to MERV13
- Multiple ventilation options that meet ASHRAE standards
- Active humidity control
- Highly efficient ECM blower motors
Ease of installation and maintenance
When retrofitting schools, simplicity and speed are critical. HVAC systems should be quick to install, easy to access, and adaptable to the structural and operational needs of each building or space. Unfortunately, more traditional systems often require invasive ceiling work, difficult-to-reach components, or third-party contractors to perform basic maintenance tasks.
Try This Approach:
Modern decentralized HVAC systems are built with installation speed and long-term serviceability in mind, without sacrificing performance. Whether you're working with ceiling restrictions, structural constraints, or short summer construction timelines, these systems make it possible to meet tight deadlines, avoid extensive demolition, and empower school staff to manage ongoing upkeep. Look for solutions that offer:
- Self-contained wall-mount or interior units that eliminate the need for above-ceiling ductwork or mechanical rooms
- Plug-and-play configurations that streamline installation and reduce labor requirements to deliver projects on time and under budget
- Access panels and modular components for fast filter changes and straightforward servicing by in-house staff
- Scalable, room-by-room flexibility that adapts to mixed infrastructure without overhauling the entire system
- Technical service teams that can support before, during, and after installation
- Equipment manufactured by a company that has been solving classroom cooling problems for decades
Aesthetic Integration
The appearance of HVAC systems matters, and so does preserving usable square footage indoors. especially Rooftop units or large mechanical closets can disrupt architectural design, so any solution must be able to blend seamlessly with school interiors and exteriors.
Try This Approach:
Individualized systems come in both interior and exterior options, allowing for a solution can integrate best into different building types. These systems are made to be compact, clean-lined, and unobtrusive to support both modern and traditional design aesthetics. With interior mount systems, only a louver is visible from outside the building. With that system, consider features like:
- A variety of exterior louver colors and finishes
- Visual options like dry erase board covers and vinyl graphics that mount on the interior unit
- Educational magnet sets
Noise control
The only sound that you should hear in the classroom should come from the teachers and students, not the equipment. Traditional window units and older systems often exceed acceptable noise thresholds and interfere with communication, instruction, and concentration.
Try This Approach:
Older centralized systems may generate ambient hums or operational disturbances, but more modern systems are engineered for quiet performance. Individualized HVAC systems are designed to maintain low operational decibel levels that help keep classrooms focused and calm. Look for noise control features like:
- Advanced acoustic technology that provides quiet delivery while distributing air for maximum air circulation
- Heavy duty compressor sound covers and discharge mufflers
- Floating compressor technology that reduces vibration and noise
Budget Alignment
Schools don’t have unlimited funding, so HVAC system choices must strike a balance between upfront cost, installation efficiency, and long-term value – all without compromising indoor air quality or student comfort. Systems that require major architectural changes, complex maintenance, or extended labor hours can quickly push projects over budget.
Try This Approach:
Look for HVAC solutions that deliver strong performance within a realistic budget. Noninvasive systems help schools spend education dollars wisely by offering budget-friendly solutions for both initial installation and lifetime ownership. Consider solutions that offer:
- Minimized labor through complete, factory-built systems that require less work to install them
- Lower total installation costs by avoiding ductwork, ceiling demolition, or structural reinforcements
- Long-term service savings through systems that are maintainable by district staff
- Five-year warranties on compressors and all other parts
- High efficiency systems with variable speeds and inverter technology that helps reduce ongoing energy expenditures
Case Study: Lee County Public Schools, Virginia
Lee County faced the same challenges many districts experience: older buildings, short construction windows, and no air conditioning. The school system selected noninvasive Bard exterior wall-mount heat pumps to provide a comfortable, healthy learning environment – all while staying within budget and addressing long-term maintenance goals.
Bard: Building Smarter Schools Starts with Smarter Retrofits
School HVAC retrofits don’t need to be disruptive, expensive, or overly complex. With the right planning and the right partner, they can make efficient, cost-effective upgrades that transform learning environments.
At Bard, we don’t just provide climate control equipment – we offer budget-friendly HVAC solutions that combine dehumidification, heating, ventilation, and cooling into a single, streamlined system that is tailored for
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