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Decarbonization Strategies for K-12 Schools

Reducing carbon emissions to create healthier, more productive learning environments

Decarbonization is the process of implementing building solutions that prevent or reduce carbon gasses from being released into the atmosphere. Doing so can help lay the foundation for state-of-the-art comfort systems, improved facilities and more cost-effective, energy-efficient operations. With so many competing needs and unique challenges, it can be hard to know where or when to start shrinking your carbon footprint.

At Trane, we meet with you where you are on your low-carbon journey and partner with you to address your school's most pressing needs—for the benefit of your bottom line, learning objectives and the environment.

Decarbonize with Trane

Why Decarbonization Is Important

Decarbonization can reduce carbon emissions and operating expenses while keeping you ahead of change. Here’s how your decarbonization process can benefit your school:

Increase energy conservation and maximize cost savings

Invest taxpayer dollars and government grants responsibly

Avoid unnecessary maintenance costs

Make classrooms more productive

Position your school as an energy leader in your district

Support a more sustainable community

Promote a cleaner planet and brighter future

How to Decarbonize Your School Building

Whether it’s for new construction or retrofitting your existing building, Trane can partner with you on individualized, low-carbon solutions in four steps:

Step 1: Collect Information To Inform Our Conversation

Data around your needs, building, equipment and local regulations/incentives is gathered to start understanding your school and current situation.

Step 2: Assess Your Goals

Your aspirations, motivations and constraints are fully understood through thought-provoking, data-backed questions.

Step 3: Advise on a Plan for Decarbonizing

Based on the decarbonization outcomes that matter most to you, we recommend a strategic, measurable and tactic-driven plan that’s backed by our operational and energy expertise.

Step 4: Implement and Deliver on Decarbonization

You receive individualized solutions with validated results, helping you achieve your goals now and in the future.

MAKE THE BEST DECARBONIZATION DECISIONS

A Real-Life Decarbonization Snapshot

Kaneland Community Unit School District knew they wanted to reduce their energy costs by using taxpayers’ dollars wisely, but they didn’t want a project that would require major capital spending. Trane partnered with them to pursue a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) so they could fund the project without a heavy up-front investment. Kaneland Community Unit School District used this agreement to install Solar PV systems. Since project completion in 2021, the district has saved over 3.175 GWh, which is equivalent to planting over 140 acres of trees.

Decarbonization Pillars

Trane approaches your school’s decarbonization process through four essential pillars: energy efficiency, electrification, refrigerant management and renewable energy. These key ways to decarbonize can solve for a wide range of building and energy challenges.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Become a more energy efficient school building that manages, monitors and stores energy optimally across all systems.

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ELECTRIFICATION

Upgrade your low-carbon HVAC, lighting, boilers, furnaces and more with hybrid electrified equipment, or aim for total building electrification.

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REFRIGERANT MANAGEMENT

Remotely regulate temperatures while transitioning away from high-GWP, or Global Warming Potential, options.

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RENEWABLE ENERGY

Transition to producing and using emissions-free electricity sources, like solar and wind, to offset your energy costs and ultimately become a net-zero school.

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Decarb 101 & 201 Series

Decarb 101

One of the most important aspects of sustainability today is decarbonization—the process of reducing carbon gases from being released into the atmosphere. Find out how Trane addresses decarbonization from four different angles.

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Decarb 201

Our decarb expert talks about energy efficiency, electrification of heat, building automation systems and more. There are many ways to make HVAC systems more sustainable. Funding is still available to cover the costs.

Read it now

Financing and Energy Services Contracting

To maximize your investment, help you decarbonize responsibly and save you money in the future, we base our financial services on our local and community connections.

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Government grants can make your decarbonization efforts more effective.

Put federal funding towards school upgrades

Customer Stories

Bridging the Skills Gap: Hill College's HVAC Training Lab & Industry Partnership

Follow Hill College's journey to address the growing demand for trained HVAC technicians in Texas by partnering with Trane and the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3). With Trane's turnkey training lab solution, the college established a state-of-the-art HVAC training lab in a historical building, providing students with hands-on experience in residential and commercial HVAC equipment and controls.
Empowering HVAC Education: Northeast Community College's Transformational Journey

With its HVAC lab housed in a dark basement with dated equipment, Northeast Community College was challenged to recruit students for its HVAC program, and its capable instructors had difficulty educating at the higher level demanded by students and the industry.
Optimizing Indoor Environmental Quality at Gateway Technical College

Gateway Technical College in Southeastern Wisconsin successfully optimized indoor environmental quality (IEQ) to create a safe and comfortable learning environment for 20,000 students returning to in-person classes in fall 2021. By partnering with Trane and implementing Synexis in-room devices that utilize Dry Hydrogen Peroxide (DHP) technology, the college reduced viruses, bacteria, mold, and odors in the air and on surfaces.
Preparing Tomorrow's Workforce: WSU Tech's Advanced HVAC Training Lab

Discover how WSU Tech, a leading technical college, addressed the challenge of outdated HVAC equipment and curriculum to attract new students and meet industry demands. By partnering with Trane and the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3), WSU Tech established a state-of-the-art Climate and Energy Control Technologies Lab, equipped with high-efficiency Trane HVAC systems and advanced controls technologies.
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Decarbonization Strategies for K-12 Schools