Preparing Educational Buildings for Winter

As the days get shorter and the mornings chillier, schools across the UK begin the yearly battle of keeping classrooms warm, safe, and comfortable for both staff and students. While most teachers are focused on lesson plans, timetables, and the run-up to the Christmas Holidays, facilities teams are quietly working behind the scenes, making sure the heating doesn’t fail just as temperatures drop.

The challenge? Many school HVAC systems are ageing often pushed beyond their limits during the colder months. Without proper maintenance and planning, small issues can quickly turn into a full-blown heating emergency, and no headteacher wants to be explaining to a room of shivering pupils why their lesson’s been moved to the library again.

Proactive winter preparation is the key to avoiding those unwanted surprises. Here’s how schools and trusts can ensure their heating systems are ready for the months ahead.

1. Start with a Pre-Winter Inspection

Before the cold really sets in, it’s essential to carry out a thorough system check. This means inspecting boilers, pumps, valves, pipework, and control systems to ensure everything is operating efficiently. Small leaks, worn seals or outdated controls can all reduce performance and increase energy use.

Scheduling maintenance early in the season, ideally during autumn, allows engineers to catch issues before they become disruptive. Even finding something as simple as a blocked filter or a faulty actuator can cause uneven heating across classrooms, and addressing these problems early keeps both comfort and budgets on track.

2. Check for Compliance and Safety

Schools have strict responsibilities when it comes to heating and ventilation systems. Under UK Gas Safety Regulations, boilers and gas appliances must be inspected annually by Gas Safe registered engineers. Similarly, any air conditioning units containing fluorinated gases (F-Gases) require leak testing and proper recordkeeping under environmental regulations.

Beyond compliance, safety should always be the top priority. Poorly maintained heating systems can lead to carbon monoxide risks or ventilation issues that impact indoor air quality, not what you want in a busy classroom environment.

3. Keep Energy Efficiency in Mind

Energy bills continue to be a concern for schools, especially as budgets tighten. Regular maintenance helps maximise efficiency but so does upgrading older systems where possible. Replacing outdated non-condensing boilers with modern condensing models can deliver more efficiency and reducing both costs and emissions.

During out recent project at a school in Redditch, we replaced their old boilers with high efficiency Ideal Evomax2 condensing boilers, improving the school’s energy efficiency rating to 96% and ensuring this can have a lasting impact on comfort and running costs.

You can read our case study on this project by following the provided link here: Work Item - School in Redditch — William Austin Services

4. Don’t Forget the Controls

Even the best equipment won’t perform well without proper control systems. Ensuring your Building Management System (BMS) are set correctly can make a big difference, and also check that time schedules align with schools hours, and review temperature settings to avoid unnecessary energy use outside term times.

For schools without a BMS, consider having an engineer installing one to automate heating cycles, as these prevent classrooms from overheating and save significant amounts of energy during evenings, weekends, or holidays.

5. Plan for Air Quality, Not Just Temperature

In the drive to stay warm, it’s easy to overlook ventilation, but it plays an important role in maintaining a healthy learning environment. Stale air can lead to drowsiness, lower concentration, and even the spread of illness.

Regularly service air handling units (AHUs), replace filters, and ensure that air circulation is balanced throughout the building. In newer schools or refurbished buildings, energy-efficient heat recovery systems can help maintain airflow without losing heat.

6. Future-Proof with Preventative Maintenance

Instead of reacting to breakdowns, adopting a preventative maintenance schedule helps schools plan ahead, financially and operationally. Regularly servicing your HVAC systems reduces emergency callouts, prolongs equipment lifespan, and ensures you remain compliant all year-round.

It’s not just about keeping classrooms warm this winter, it’s about setting up your systems to perform reliably for years to come. Facilities teams who plan maintenance in quieter months often find it’s smoother, most cost-effective, and less disruptive to day-to-day operations.

Keeping Schools Comfortable All Year Round

Preparing educational buildings for winter isn’t just about surviving the cold, it’s about creating the right environment for learning, safety, and wellbeing. From compliance checks to system upgrades, small proactive steps now can prevent headaches later.

At William Austin, we’ve seen first-hand how proper planning makes a difference, from our work at the school in Redditch to other projects across the education sector. Whether it’s a primary school or a large multi-site trust, getting your HVAC systems winter-ready ensures you can focus on what matters most, keeping the next generation comfortable, focused, and ready to learn.

Written by: Will Judd

Published 16/10/2025