Connecticut law establishes two indoor air quality requirements for public school buildings.

  1. Annual IAQ inspections using EPA’s Tools for Schools program (staff-completed, began January 1, 2024)
  2. 5-year HVAC inspections by certified professionals (20% of buildings annually, starting July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031)

The Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) has clarified via their FAQ page that the annual IAQ checklists and the 5-year HVAC inspections serve different purposes and must be completed separately, with the HVAC inspections performed by qualified, certified professionals.

How Sustainable Engineering Solutions Can Help

SES supports Connecticut school districts with 5-year HVAC inspections that fully meet the State’s requirements. Our team of licensed professional mechanical engineers and certified testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) technicians performs comprehensive system evaluations, including outside air delivery verification, air filtration assessment, control sequence verification, and ventilation compliance with ASHRAE standards.

Beyond meeting the mandate, SES goes a step further. We can help districts understand, prioritize, and implement our recommendations, whether that means planning corrective actions, coordinating follow-up testing, or integrating improvements into future capital or maintenance plans. Our experience in commissioning allows us to provide practical, actionable guidance, not just a report.

Whether your district is preparing for the upcoming inspection cycle or planning ahead, SES can help you navigate compliance efficiently and add long-term value to your HVAC systems and indoor air quality program.

Frequently Asked Questions

The 5-Year HVAC Inspection is an assessment mandated by the State of Connecticut to ensure that public schools have proper ventilation and effective air filtration systems, meeting the indoor air quality (IAQ) verification requirements of the state legislation Public Act No. 23-167. It does not directly measure air quality but focuses on evaluating the delivery and filtration of ventilation air in K-12 facilities.

All public schools in Connecticut are required to undergo the 5-Year HVAC Inspections in response to State legislation mandating IAQ verification and providing standards for compliance.

The HVAC Inspection requirement was first established by legislation passed in 2022. The mandate was revised in 2023 to provide clearer guidelines on compliance and to assist municipalities in implementing the evaluations.

The HVAC Inspections are conducted on-site at each school to ensure compliance with state regulations.

HVAC Inspections must be conducted by certified professionals, such as licensed engineers or testing, adjusting, and balancing technicians.

A new bill has been introduced to the Connecticut Senate regarding indoor air quality in schools. It proposes extending the deadline for reporting indoor air quality in school buildings, allowing the cost of inspections and evaluations to be reimbursed under the HVAC system grant program and granting school boards flexibility in the way they are conducted. The bill mandates that local or regional boards of education inspect and evaluate their HVAC systems in school buildings, with at least 20% of schools inspected each year from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2031, and every five years thereafter.

Details are still emerging, but current legislation requires the creation of standard reporting forms to be made available online.

The HVAC Inspections are critical for the following reasons:

  • Health and Safety: Ensuring that students and staff are breathing clean, well-filtered air, which can reduce the spread of airborne illnesses and improve overall health.
  • Educational Environment: Promoting a healthier, more productive learning environment by maintaining optimal indoor air quality.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Helping schools meet state mandates and avoid potential penalties.

Every public school in Connecticut is required to undergo HVAC Inspections every five years. This regular assessment helps ensure ongoing compliance with state standards and maintains the quality of indoor air over time.

Contact Us

For more information or to schedule an HVAC Inspection, please contact Sustainable Engineering Solutions:
Phone: 860-270-0413
Email: contact@sustainable-eng.com