Cooler Classrooms Program

Year-round comfort

Reverse-cycle air conditioning units will cool in the summer and heat in the winter for year-round comfort.

Fresh air

In addition to cooling and heating, the systems will supply fresh air to avoid stuffy environments.

Improved air quality

When additional fresh air is needed to boost indoor air quality, the systems will alert teachers and students.

Optimising comfort

The systems are fully programmed to provide the optimal environment for any season with the touch of a button.

Promoting sustainability

Schools will install renewable energy sources – such as solar – to limit our environmental impact.

Promoting awareness

Through smart-monitoring, teachers and students can learn how to minimise their energy use.

Reduced energy usage

Air conditioning will automatically shut off after 2 hours.

Bringing the outside in

Monitors notify teachers and students when the weather outside is optimal for opening windows.

Jamison High School

Jamison High School, located in Penrith in Sydney’s Western Suburbs experiences a mean maximum January temperature of 30 degrees Celsius. Under the Cooler Classrooms program, the high school received air conditioning and fresh air ventilation in 34 permanent learning spaces and 1 library area, plus 38 kW of solar panels to offset the increased power usage with renewable energy.

Commencing in November 2018, the installation contractor, Ryan Wilkes, worked closely with Principal, Glyn Trethewy, to design a school-focused solution that placed the educational needs of the students and the school’s operational requirements at the centre. Mr Trethewy confirmed the improved infrastructure has led to significant improvements in student behaviour and improved learning times across the school.

 “The Cooler Classrooms Program has provided our school the air conditioning and ventilation resources to provide our students with comfortable indoor learning spaces so they quickly and easily focus on learning on days of extreme high and low temperatures. My staff and I have witnessed a significant improvement in the behaviour of students and an overall increase in the positive atmosphere across the school since Cooler Classrooms installed air conditioning and ventilation. After breaks outside students are less distracted and are able to settle and focus faster, increasing the practical learning time in each class. I was able to work closely with the program’s design consultant and installation contractor who were both dedicated to designing a school-focused solution that has left our school better off than ever before to support our students with quality infrastructure,” said Mr Trethewy.

Student representatives in years 10 and 12 shared their experiences expressing that the effects of the air conditioning and fresh air ventilation have made it “a lot more comfortable to learn” on days of extreme temperatures recognising “when fresh air starts coming in we calm down so much easier” in comparison to previous learning conditions when “it was hard to focus”.

The smart control system has led to an increased awareness of the variable elements that contribute to indoor comfort - temperature, humidity and fresh air - and the various solutions and associated energy toll of each solution.

At Jamison High School, the energy-awareness behaviours have proven to transcend the school gates with students becoming ambassadors for efficient energy use at home. One year 10 student is proudly encouraging his parents to turn off air conditioning on days of comfortable temperatures stating, “‘I definitely go home and try and to save as much energy as possible.”

A year 12 student expressed their pride in the use of solar power to offset the annualised energy consumption of the new air conditioning units. The student shared the sentiment “our generation cares about the future of the environment. To know that our classrooms are air conditioned with sustainable and renewable energy means we can focus on learning knowing without negatively impacting the environment, and it’s even better that our school is saving money on energy costs.”

Mr Trethewy confirmed the school has seen a significant decrease in energy costs as a result of solar panels installed by the Cooler Classrooms Program and the increased use of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights throughout the school.

The Cooler Classrooms Program at Jamison High School has demonstrated it is much more than an air conditioning program and is providing increased quality learning time for students and practical tools to encourage students to make informed energy-efficient decisions.

What is the Cooler Classrooms Program?

The Cooler Classrooms Program is a $500 million, five-year program, which was introduced in 2018 to provide sustainable reverse-cycle air conditioning and ventilation to improve learning environments in schools across NSW. It is part of the NSW Government’s record investment in public school infrastructure and is in addition to the government’s $1.3 billion asset maintenance program.

What is the objective of the Cooler Classrooms program?

Research shows that we can improve learning outcomes by improving indoor environmental comfort and air quality.

What does $500 million fund over the five years?

Cooler Classrooms funds the installation of air conditioning in classrooms and libraries for schools that have a mean maximum January temperature of 30 degrees and above where there is currently no air conditioning or the replacement of existing air conditioning is required. In addition, schools with a mean maximum January temperature below 30 degrees have been able to apply to the Cooler Classrooms Fund to have air conditioning installed. There are more than 900 schools currently included as part of the program.

Will every school at or above 30 degrees receive air conditioning?

If the school has a mean maximum January temperature at, or above 30 degrees, we will install air conditioning in classroom and library spaces that do not currently have any air conditioning installed, and we will replace existing air conditioning systems in eligible spaces where deemed appropriate. If a classroom has air conditioning that works, then we would not propose to remove and replace it.

How many schools have a mean maximum January temperature of 30 degrees or above?

There are approximately 600 schools across NSW that are located in areas with a mean maximum January temperature of 30 degrees or above.

Why isn’t every school provided with air conditioning?

There are 2,200 government schools in NSW, and funding must be prioritised. The Cooler Classrooms Program is designed to support students and teachers in the hottest parts of the State. However, while we acknowledge this, we’re also conscious that students in other areas of the State may also be experiencing hot conditions that are unique to their school or local area.

How do you determine which schools are eligible for air conditioning?

We use the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BoM) mean maximum January temperature data as it is the hottest month of the year. The data is assessed as an average over a 20-year period, which allows for peaks and troughs to be accounted for in the results. BoM is Australia’s national weather, climate and water agency and provides reliable and expert data on the long-term monitoring of temperatures in NSW.

What are the benefits of air cooling in classrooms?

The smart air conditioning systems provide the best possible learning environments for our students and deliver benefits beyond air cooling. These benefits include better air quality and comfort and increased awareness of sustainability and energy use. For more information, download the Benefits beyond cooling brochure.

How will classrooms and libraries be heated in the cooler months?

As part of Cooler Classrooms, we’re installing reverse cycle air conditioning in eligible permanent learning spaces and libraries. Where we install reverse cycle air conditioning, existing unflued gas heaters will be removed. If and where we need to, supplementary flued gas or electric heaters will be retained or installed.