Why Schools Are Investing in Better Classroom Ventilation

22/05/2026

Good classroom ventilation is now a key priority for schools and education providers across the UK. A growing body of research shows a well-ventilated environment leads to improved concentration levels, better health and wellbeing, and reduced energy costs.

But it isn’t always simple to achieve. While many school buildings are showing signs of their age, funding pressures continue to be felt across the education sector.

The result? Education providers are looking for practical, long-term solutions that improve indoor air quality without disruption or a spike in running costs.

Why ventilation matters in classrooms

Poor classroom ventilation can lead to a build-up of carbon dioxide (CO₂), stale air, humidity, and airborne pollutants.

All of these can affect pupils’ ability to concentrate, stay engaged, and learn. Each day with poor education ventilation is a missed opportunity for youngsters trying to reach their full potential.

Research from the University of Leeds has confirmed the benefits of improving classroom air quality, particularly in spaces where windows are not always practical due to weather, security, or external noise concerns.

Those benefits are profound. With simple installations of heat recovery units like ClassFlo, they include:

• Supporting attendance, wellbeing, and concentration. Schools are increasingly aware of the link between indoor air quality and attendance. If pupils feel discomfort, fatigue, or headaches when they’re in class, they become significantly less likely to maintain good attendance levels.

• Meeting BB101 and BB93 requirements. Ventilation systems in education settings must meet specific performance standards. That’s why our systems meet complete room air change meeting BB101 requirements, with no recirculation of air and effective CO₂ management, as well as BB93 noise requirements that promote effective teaching and learning.

• Lower bills through effective heat recovery. As energy costs continue to trend upwards, heat recovery ventilation systems are highly valued in education settings. By capturing heat from outgoing air and using it to warm incoming fresh air, they maintain comfortable indoor temperatures without increasing bills.

Retrofitting ventilation into older schools

Education ventilation isn’t just about the classroom. Communal areas, sports facilities, kitchens, toilets, and shower areas all need fresh airflow supply.

Many school buildings, however, were not originally designed to meet modern ventilation expectations. And that can lead to challenges around access and available space when it comes to retrofitting new solutions. Our Site Engineering Services (SES) team supports schools and contractors with installation, refurbishment, and replacement projects across a wide range of education settings.

Our flexibility and experience mean we can supply and install ClassFlo systems with minimal disruption, including scheduling your fitting for school holiday periods.

ClassFlo is Air Vent Technology’s dedicated classroom ventilation solution, designed specifically for education environments.

With a double-skinned case construction, the whole unit with its high efficiency counterflow heat exchanger helps to manage classroom CO2 levels while using up to 52% less energy than other alternatives. Its low noise levels and intelligent controls also mean teaching conditions are never disrupted.

ClassFlo systems are designed to help schools meet modern ventilation standards while providing a practical solution for both new-build and retrofit projects.

Looking to improve your classroom ventilation?

If you’re looking to make the kind of investment in your education facilities that promotes wellbeing, concentration, and effective learning, contact our friendly team today.

We’ll help you quickly find the right ventilation solution for your school or education facility.

Get in touch today to find out how more about how our ClassFlo system can be tailored to your building and ventilation requirements.