Trane approaches your school’s decarbonization process through four essential pillars: energy efficiency, electrification, refrigerant management and renewable energy. These key ways to decarbonize can solve for a wide range of building and energy challenges.
1. Improving energy efficiency
Using less energy produces less carbon emissions from power plants. Since energy efficiency saves money, this is an easy starting point.
Example action items:
- Add building automation to avoid using energy when it is not needed
- Switch to high efficiency HVAC Systems
- Upgrade to newer LED lighting and other energy saving measures
- Make structural modifications to reduce heating and cooling loads
2. Electrification of heating
As the nation’s power grid transitions to renewable energy sources, switching to electric heating reduces overall emissions.
Example action items:
- Upgrade to heat recovery and hybrid dual fuel options
- Apply innovative approaches using heat pumps
- Add thermal energy storage to make electric heat practical in cold climates
3. Supporting the transition to carbon-free energy
Engaging in solutions that prioritize solar, wind and other types of energy from sources that are natural and constantly replenished.
Example action items:
- Purchase renewable energy from the grid
- Add thermal energy storage to gain purchase and use flexibility
- Generate solar and wind energy onsite
4. Prioritizing safe refrigerant use and handling
Minimizing potential greenhouse gas effects or refrigerants used in HVAC systems.
Example action items:
- Transition to low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants
- Monitor HVAC systems for potential leaks
