A new law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in December 2024 will set 88 degrees as the maximum temperature allowed for student-occupied spaces in public school buildings, set to go into effect in September 2025. This law, aimed at ensuring a more comfortable learning environment for students, has received strong support from New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), with NYSUT President Melinda Person stating “Extreme heat is a real danger to our students and educators, and we applaud state legislators for witnessing, experiencing, and now acknowledging the severity of its impact in our schools.”
While creating a safe and conducive learning environment is critical to student and faculty success, the implementation of this law may create significant challenges for schools.
What Schools Can Do to Prepare
While large-scale air conditioning retrofits may be out of the question for many districts, schools can explore other strategies to comply with the new law and improve air quality and comfort levels for students and staff. Some potential solutions include:
1. Upgrading HVAC Systems
Investing in modern HVAC systems that include dehumidification and ventilation improvements can significantly improve air quality and climate control without full-scale air conditioning retrofits. In addition, energy-efficient HVAC upgrades may qualify for state and federal funding programs focused on sustainability and building modernization.
2. Smart Temperature and Lighting Controls
Implementing smart building and lighting controls and temperature zoning strategies can help schools regulate heat more effectively. Automated controls allow facility staff to adjust temperatures in real-time and focus cooling efforts in the most occupied or affected areas. In addition, utilizing lighting controls and occupancy sensors to reduce lighting in unoccupied spaces can lower heat generation inside classrooms, helping to maintain cooler indoor temperatures while also reducing energy costs.
3. Passive Cooling Strategies
To help mitigate excessive heat buildup, schools can adopt low-cost solutions such as:
- Reducing direct sunlight exposure to lower indoor temperatures with window shades and films.
- Using reflective materials on roofs can help deflect heat and maintain lower indoor temperatures.
Looking Ahead
With this legislation set to take effect in just over a year, schools must begin planning now to meet the requirements while minimizing financial burdens and school year disruptions.
In the meantime, districts should assess their current building conditions, explore cost-effective solutions, and collaborate with state agencies to secure available funding for facility upgrades. By taking proactive steps, schools can work toward compliance while ensuring students and teachers have a safe and comfortable learning environment year-round.
About Stark Tech
Stark Tech is a facility optimization provider for the K-12 market. We work with school districts and engineering firms to enhance the learning environment of students with specialized technology and equipment. We help school districts improve operations with our energy solutions that are customized to address the unique needs of each district.
Our turnkey services include design and implementation, engineering support, and end-to-end project management. We can work with districts to upgrade and replace facility equipment and offer master systems integration. Our project managers ensure budgets and schedules meet expectations. Maintenance plans are available by our OEM-certified and trained technicians.
