How an Outdated or Insufficient AC (Air Conditioning) System Can Impact Students’ Learning

It’s that time of year again when the temperatures rise, and the cooling system can end up running for long periods.

Understanding how an outdated or insufficient system can impact learners is essential for anyone responsible for school buildings. This guide outlines common issues associated with underperforming equipment and ventilation, along with practical and safe steps to minimise disruptions and support comfortable classrooms.

Quick Summary: This guide is for school, college and university decision-makers. It covers day-to-day checks, common warning signs (comfort, humidity and airflow), when to call a qualified engineer, and longer-term options, plus local considerations for Bristol and the South West. Key takeaway: consistent comfort and good indoor air quality support learning, but repairs and refrigerant work should be left to certified professionals.

What Are Some Tips To Keep Your AC Unit Running Properly?

There are a few things you can do to help the unit run effectively and reduce the risk of avoidable breakdowns:

Check Your Surroundings:

Maintain performance by keeping the outdoor unit and nearby area clear of leaves, litter and other debris.

While you are doing basic housekeeping, check for anything that could block airflow (such as stored items) or increase the risk of damage. If access requires ladders, roof work, or electrical isolation, use a competent person and safe access methods.

Keep It Cool:

A poorly maintained or ageing system may struggle to cool teaching and study spaces evenly, which can lead to discomfort for learners and staff.

Restricted airflow (for example, from dirty filters or obstructed grilles) can also increase strain on components and raise the likelihood of faults. Keeping rooms comfortable on hot days can support concentration and reduce complaints, especially in packed classrooms, IT rooms and meeting spaces.

Planned servicing by qualified engineers can help catch issues early and reduce the chance of disruptive, mid-term failures. If you’d like a professional check, you can book a service visit with our team.

Maintain A Consistent Temperature:

Inconsistent temperatures across classrooms, corridors and offices can indicate airflow problems, control issues, incorrect settings, or equipment that is undersized for the space.

Before it becomes a recurring call-out, make sure supply and return grilles are not blocked, doors between conditioned areas are managed sensibly, and heat sources (like printers or server racks) are positioned with ventilation in mind.

If the unit is under warranty, follow the manufacturer’s maintenance requirements and keep records. A qualified engineer can advise on settings, zoning and control strategies to help stabilise conditions across the building.

Hire A Professional:

Even with good care, no system lasts forever, and faults can happen unexpectedly, often during the hottest spells.

If something feels out of your area of expertise, don’t attempt DIY repairs. Electrical components and refrigerants must be handled safely, and refrigerant work in the UK should be carried out by appropriately qualified, F-Gas certified professionals.

For safe diagnosis and repair, speak with a qualified team to identify the cause and recommend the right fix or replacement.

What Should You Do If Your School, College, or University’s AC System Is Not Meeting Students’ Needs?

If conditions across your site aren’t meeting the needs of learners and staff, there may be an underlying performance or ventilation issue.

A single room feeling warm for a short period can be normal, but persistent problems over days or weeks can point to a wider fault (controls, airflow, insulation, sizing, or ductwork). Below are common causes and safe, practical next steps:

Humidity Issues:

Excess humidity in classrooms or study areas may suggest the equipment is struggling, the space is over-occupied, ventilation is inadequate, or the unit is not controlling moisture effectively.

High humidity can contribute to condensation on windows and cold surfaces, create an environment that supports mould growth, and damage finishes over time. It can also aggravate respiratory symptoms for some occupants.

If moisture is a regular issue, a qualified engineer can assess whether maintenance, control changes, improved ventilation, or a correctly sized dehumidification solution is appropriate (including safe condensate drainage).

Lack Of Airflow Or Poor Ventilation:

Low airflow can be caused by blocked filters, closed/obstructed grilles, or fan and control problems. In ducted systems, poor distribution can also be linked to imbalance, damaged ductwork, or restricted sections.

Basic steps include keeping supply/return grilles clear and following the manufacturer’s guidance on filter checks and replacement intervals. Duct cleaning is not always required; when it is appropriate, it should be planned and carried out by competent specialists using suitable methods for the building.

If indoor air quality is a concern (for example, stuffy rooms or recurring odours), it’s sensible to arrange an inspection and airflow assessment. You can request a site survey to identify the root cause.

Poor Temperature Balance:

If occupants report hot and cold spots within the same room, it can indicate drafts, poor insulation, incorrect diffuser placement, zoning/control issues, or a system that is not well matched to the space.

Professionals can check airflow, controls and condition, then recommend steps such as rebalancing, control adjustments, targeted repairs, or an upgrade where needed.

If the unit is under warranty, follow the warranty process with the manufacturer or installer and keep service documentation up to date. Avoid continuing to run equipment that is tripping, overheating, or producing a burning smell, switch it off safely and call an engineer promptly.

Local Considerations For Bristol & The South West

Buildings in Bristol and across the South West often include older construction, extensions and mixed-use sites, which can make airflow, heat gain and insulation performance variable between rooms.

Local weather can also bring humid conditions and warmer spells, so moisture control and good ventilation matter, not just temperature.

For external equipment (such as outdoor units), consider neighbours, placement, noise and visual impact. Planning rules can vary by property type and location (including conservation areas and listed buildings), so it’s sensible to check with the relevant local planning authority before making external changes. If you want help navigating the practical steps, ask our engineers for guidance as part of a survey.

Are There Any Long-Term Solutions To This Problem That Schools Should Consider?

Sites can help keep systems running reliably by scheduling routine servicing and replacing filters at appropriate intervals.

Staff can also support day-to-day efficiency by switching off unnecessary heat-generating equipment, managing blinds where possible, and keeping windows/doors coordinated with the ventilation strategy (for example, not leaving windows wide open when the system is trying to condition the room).

If you have a maintenance team, ensure they follow safe access procedures and avoid work that involves electrical components or refrigerant circuits unless they are appropriately qualified.

Another option, particularly for sites that want fewer surprises during term time, is a planned maintenance arrangement with a professional provider who can carry out seasonal checks and respond to call-outs when needed. Controlled Climate can support ongoing maintenance to help reduce downtime and improve reliability.

Hopefully, this gives schools looking to maintain their systems some helpful ideas.

Is It Possible for Schools To Receive Government Funding To Help Update Their AC Systems?

Some schools may be able to access funding support for building upgrades, but availability and eligibility can vary significantly by region, school type and the specific project.

It’s worth checking the current Department for Education guidance, local authority information and any energy-efficiency support programmes that apply to your institution, as these options can change over time. [FACT CHECK REQUIRED: specific UK funding routes and eligibility for cooling/ventilation upgrades can vary, so confirm current schemes and criteria before planning budgets.]

The Health Risks Associated With Inadequate Air Conditioning, Especially For Students Who Are Already Susceptible To Illnesses

When rooms are too warm, too humid, or poorly ventilated, occupants may feel tired, uncomfortable and less able to focus, particularly during busy lessons and exams.

Where someone is already unwell or has allergies, stale air and poor humidity control can worsen symptoms. Overcrowded rooms can also increase the spread of common illnesses, so adequate ventilation and sensible indoor air management are important for overall well-being.

Young people with respiratory conditions such as asthma may be more sensitive to poor indoor air quality, high humidity, or irritants. If there are persistent complaints (headaches, nausea, breathing discomfort), treat them as a building performance issue and investigate professionally rather than relying on quick fixes.

One practical next step is to arrange an inspection of the equipment and the wider ventilation approach, including filters, airflow paths and condensate management. If you need support understanding what’s happening in your buildings, talk to our team about a structured assessment.

Comfort should be stable and appropriate for learning. While individuals vary, a consistent approach, combined with good ventilation, helps create conditions where most people can concentrate.

How Can You Tell If Your School’s AC System Needs To Be Updated Or Replaced?

Alongside routine inspections by a qualified engineer, common warning signs include:

Overheating:

If the unit runs continuously, struggles to reach set conditions, trips frequently, or produces a burning smell, it may be under strain or developing an electrical fault. For safety, isolate the equipment if appropriate and arrange a professional diagnosis, do not keep running a system that appears to be overheating.

Dehumidifier Required:

If the unit seems to run often yet spaces remain clammy, it could indicate poor humidity control, undersizing, airflow restriction, or a refrigerant-related fault. It is not caused by a “heating element” working overtime in normal cooling operation; instead, a qualified engineer should check performance, controls and condition before any add-on equipment is considered.

Constant Complaints From Students:

Ongoing complaints about rooms feeling too hot or too cold can be a sign of imbalance, ventilation issues, or equipment that is no longer suitable for how the space is used.

In some cases, different sensitivity levels can play a part, but repeated concerns across multiple days should trigger a structured review of airflow, controls and maintenance status.

If you’d like a professional to assess whether repair, optimisation or replacement is the right next step, request a quotation and we’ll advise on practical options.

Ways For Schools And Parents To Collaborate To Ensure That All Students Have Access To A Properly Working AC System

Some education sites operate from older buildings that may need staged upgrades, while others have newer installations that still require planned care.

One effective approach is transparency: communicate known risks (for example, specific blocks that overheat), set realistic timelines, and plan preventative work outside teaching hours where possible.

Many sites use external contractors during evenings, weekends, and holiday periods to minimise disruption. If older equipment is reaching the end of its life, a phased plan can help ensure classrooms remain usable while upgrades are carried out safely and in line with building constraints.

FAQs

Do we need planning permission for outdoor units?

It depends on the building and location. Some changes may fall under permitted development, but restrictions can apply (especially for listed buildings, conservation areas, or where visual/noise impacts are sensitive). Always check with the relevant planning authority before work starts.

Can our caretaking team top up refrigerant or fix leaks?

No. Refrigerant handling and leak repairs must be carried out by appropriately qualified, F-Gas certified professionals using the correct equipment and procedures.

How often should filters be changed?

It varies by system type, usage and environment. A qualified engineer can recommend an interval based on manufacturer guidance and site conditions. Where occupants generate dust (sports halls, workshops, busy corridors), checks may need to be more frequent.

What are the most common causes of “hot and cold spots”?

Typical causes include blocked grilles, poor airflow balancing, control settings, heat gains from equipment, drafts, and insulation issues. A professional airflow and controls check usually identifies the main driver.

Is it better to repair or replace an ageing system?

That depends on condition, parts availability, efficiency, reliability and how well the equipment matches current occupancy and room use. A survey can compare options safely and transparently, including lifecycle considerations.

Conclusion

Understanding how a cooling and ventilation system operates is important for keeping classrooms comfortable and learning-friendly.

It’s also worth taking indoor air quality and humidity seriously, especially for those who are more sensitive to heat, moisture and stale air. If you’d like qualified support in Bristol and the South West, get in touch, and we’ll help you identify the safest, most practical next step.