More than 125 Canadian school districts collaborated with sustainable buildings leader Johnson Controls last year to address deferred maintenance through future-ready infrastructure improvements with a view to ensuring healthier learning environments.

The school facilities, the range of which stretches from coast, installed future-ready infrastructure improvements for more sustainable operations, says a press release. Those included water, heating, cooling, and LED lighting upgrades to improved building automation systems.

Ultimately, the expectation is that these infrastructure improvements will drive energy and cost savings, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance learning environments, and improve occupant comfort, health, and safety.

At the Canadian Rockies School Division in Alberta, the upgrades are forecast to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 726 tons and save approximately $105,000 annually while optimizing water consumption.

Meanwhile, at the same province’s Lethbridge School Division, there are expected to be approximately $224,600 in energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions will be cut by 1056 tons annually. The healthier environment will aid in community wellness, job creation and deliver long-term economic impact of $12.4M for Lethbridge.

Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education in Alberta took advantage of its unoccupied facilities to address deferred maintenance and is on track to generate $86,700 in savings every year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 448 tons annually.

Meanwhile, in Manitoba, Brandon School Division’s improvements will drive more than $50,000 in savings annually while reducing energy consumption by more than 876,000 kWh per year. The energy conservation measures will make for a greener school division while freeing up capital that can be diverted to student learning and wellness.