August 2026 · Policy Brief

The State of School HVAC in California

We analyzed more than 70,000 professional HVAC assessments at 1,600+ K‑12 public schools, completed under the California Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency Program (CalSHAPE).

What we did

We received unit-level HVAC assessment data from the California Energy Commission (CEC). Every unit was inspected by a licensed professional between 2021 and 2024, who documented its efficiency rating, filtration capability, heating fuel, and ventilation performance, and made a repair-or-replace recommendation.

71,144HVAC units assessed

1,618school sites

Key findings

54%

HVAC units recommended for full replacement

73%

Have at least one documented deficiency

49%

Lack wildfire smoke filters

63%

Don't provide adequate ventilation

65%

Burn fossil gas that creates pollution

73%

Below today's efficiency standard

Shares describe the 71,144 units assessed at our 1,618 sample schools — roughly one-third of the 4,688 schools that received CalSHAPE assessments — and reflect conditions at the time of assessment, 2021–2024. Some shares reflect a subset of the full sample where limited data was available.

66% of assessed schools are in underserved communities

At the median assessed school, 70% of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. These districts are least able to fund replacements themselves or pass a local facilities bond.

There are existing funds that can help

An estimated $194 million in CalSHAPE funds remains unspent. Applications were frozen in July 2024 and never reopened. Without legislative action the money reverts to investor-owned utilities on December 1, 2026, and the program sunsets January 1, 2027.

Policy recommendations

In total, 4,688 schools received CalSHAPE HVAC assessments. Only 172 got the funding to fix what those assessments found. The Legislature and Governor's Office should:

Statutorily extend CalSHAPE so districts can address the deficiencies their assessments already identified.

Direct the CEC to reopen applications so schools can apply for the remaining $194 million before it leaves the program.

Prioritize remaining funds for HVAC upgrades and repairs by letting dollars flow from the plumbing arm of the program.

Releasing these funds does not deplete the General Fund or raise ratepayer bills. Even if every reverted dollar were passed through to ratepayers, a Senate Budget Subcommittee analysis found bills would fall roughly $2/month for SDG&E customers, $1.25 for SCE customers, and $0.20 for PG&E customers, for one year.

QR code linking to the full report and the CalSHAPE Explorer

Full report & interactive data tool

Read the full report Explore the School HVAC Data Tool

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