Extreme heat and indoor air quality: What schools need to know

A recent webinar looked at how schools in the West and Southwest are dealing with extreme heat and indoor air quality (IAQ), the general health and comfort of the air inside a building. Experts explained that heat inside a classroom isn't just about temperature. Humidity, sunlight, and building design all play a part, and rising temperatures can also cause building materials to release more emissions into the air, straining older heating and cooling systems.

The discussion pointed to strategies that treat cooling, ventilation, and air quality as connected problems rather than separate ones. These include upgrading HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, adding shade structures, installing reflective roofing, and creating dedicated cool-down spaces. One school district, Oakland Unified, shared how it uses temperature and carbon dioxide sensors in classrooms to figure out which schools and rooms are hit hardest by heat, then directs repairs and upgrades to those places first.

While this news is aimed at school facilities, the same ideas apply to houses. Aging HVAC systems, poor shading, and heat-absorbing roofing can make homes harder to keep cool and can affect indoor air quality, especially during heat waves. If your home struggles with heat or stuffy air in summer, it may be worth thinking about similar fixes: better shade, more reflective roofing, or an HVAC system upgrade, and whether any local or state rebate programs help cover those costs.