b'From Deferred Maintenance to Smart Investment: Geothermal and IRA Direct Pay for K12 FacilitiesBy Sage Acorn, VeregyM issouri school districtsThe Scale of the Facilities Challenge: Why Geothermal Makes Senseare facing a convergenceNationally, the 2025 State of Ourfor Schools:of challenges that facilitySchools report estimates that K12Ground-source (geothermal) heat leaders know all too well:facilities are underfunded by approximatelypump systems are uniquely well-aging buildings, deferred$90 billion every year, contributing tosuited for K12 environments. Unlike maintenance, volatile utility costs,deteriorating HVAC systems, poor indoorconventional HVAC systems that rely and limited capital budgets. At theair quality, and rising maintenance costs.on outdoor air temperatures, geothermal same time, districts are being askedMissouri districts are not immune to thissystems exchange heat with the stable to provide healthier, more resilienttrend. Many operate buildings that aretemperature of the earth. This results in:learning environments while40, 50, or even 70 years old, often relyingLower and more predictable energy minimizing the burden on localon legacy boilers or rooftop units that arecoststaxpayers. Fortunately, a powerfulexpensive to maintain and increasinglyLong equipment life spans (often opportunity now exists for K12unreliable during extreme weather events. 2550+ years for the ground loop)schools that are willing to thinkTraditional approaches, piecemeal repairsReduced maintenance and strategically about infrastructureor bond-funded replacements, can strainoperational riskinvestment, especially thosebudgets and delay action. In contrast,Improved indoor comfort and air considering geothermal systemsenergy savings performance contractingqualitypaired with performance contracting(ESPC) offers districts a way to addressFor schools with long planning and federal incentives under thethese challenges comprehensively, in somehorizons and stable occupancy, these Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). cases without requiring upfront capital. benefits align directly with educationalWEEVVEEGGOOTTAAVVEENNDDOORRWFOF ORRTTHHAATTFacilities & Construction Energy & Sustainability SolutionsTechnology Solutions Educational Goods and ServicesWith awarded vendors nationwide across a wide range of categories, TIPS helpsensure you have the right vendor to meet your needs.JOIN TODAY! Michael Tucker l Program Managermichael.tucker@tips-usa.com l 903.824.6371www.tips-usa.com24|SCHOOL PLANT MANAGER MAGAZINE|SPRING 2026'