BTO’s Efficient and Healthy Schools Program Launch & Enhanced IAQ Support for Schools

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is excited to announce the launch of the Efficient and Healthy Schools Program, an evolution of the past work of the Building Technologies Office’s (BTO) Efficient and Healthy Schools Campaign. This program is an interagency effort spearheaded by BTO with the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The program provides recognition and technical assistance to school districts seeking to implement high-impact indoor air quality and efficiency improvements to reduce energy bills and improve student and teacher health.

Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, the Efficient and Healthy Schools Program is introducing four categories for both technical assistance and recognition. These categories align with the year-round expert support offered to school districts and provide annual opportunities to honor schools through the progression of activities leading to sustained school improvements in energy and health. Recognition categories for school districts and their schools include:

1. Data Detectives: School districts that follow best practices for assessing and benchmarking progress on various energy and environmental metrics.
2. Performance Pros: School districts that continuously improve their operations and maintenance activities, performance evaluations, and retro-commissioning efforts.
3. Retrofit Revolutionaries: School districts that implement smart retrofit projects that promote energy efficiency and healthy learning environments.
4. Solutions Strategists: School districts that commit to goals that advance district-wide initiatives with multi-year commitments that improve facility efficiencies and student and teacher health.

In parallel to launching the Efficient and Healthy Schools Program, BTO has formalized an in-kind collaboration with the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council to support improved indoor air quality in schools. This collaboration will provide training, technical assistance, and field research opportunities to support school districts and their staff in implementing practical solutions and ensuring safe and healthy schools. Through this link with USGBC and the work of the Efficient and Healthy Schools Program, BTO will deliver targeted technical assistance for school facility upgrades throughout the retrofit process.

For more information on the Efficient and Healthy Schools Program, see the FAQs or contact the program office at schools@lbl.gov. Schools interested in joining the program can do so by filling out a form here. 

About BTO’s Work in the Efficient and Healthy Schools Campaign

Formed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Efficient and Healthy Schools Campaign was established to help provide awareness to schools about substantial funding public funding allocated for school infrastructure improvements through the American Rescue Plan and the 2021 Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. The inaugural year of the Efficient and Healthy Schools Campaign focused effort on enhancing indoor air quality and incorporating efficient HVAC technologies into educational facilities. During its second year, the campaign’s focus broadened to include energy efficiency, health, and resilience.

Through BTO’s past work in the Efficient and Healthy Schools Campaign, BTO partnered with 164 school districts across 45 states, representing over 4.3 million students, and over 7,200 schools—64% of which are Title 1 eligible.