Congress has passed three bills in the last few years to help schools in the age of COVID-19, noted a panel discussion Feb. 6 at the 2023 AHR Expo in Atlanta. Representatives from the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association and the Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International discussed how mechanical contractors and designers can help their education clients obtain these funds to improve their ventilation and indoor air quality systems.
Congress delegated nearly $190 billion to spend through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief program. Funds have already been disseminated to states, panelists noted. And money is still available; school districts can request funds from their state educational agencies. Local and state education agencies have until December 2024 to earmark the remaining money.
Proper ventilation, humidity control and filtration is an important consideration in all buildings as our society spends 80% to 90% of our time indoors. In addition, research has found a direct link between air quality and student success.