Bath Schools Upgrade Lighting and HVAC With Grant

Ohio owners of aging buildings can see how a state cost-share is funding LED and HVAC replacements.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Home Renovation

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single rooftop HVAC unit beside a brick school wall under a flat open sky. — Bath Township schools will use a $381,640 state energy-efficiency grant, matched by the district, to replace aging HVAC and upgrade LED lighting across three buildings. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Bath Township schools received a $381,640 energy-efficiency grant from the Ohio Department of Development through the Advanced Energy Fund program. The district will match the grant for a $763,279 project covering three schools.

Why it matters

The project addresses an aging, costly building system: a poorly installed elementary HVAC system has already cost the school $50,000 to $60,000 in pump replacements and compressor failures. Projected savings of more than $75,000 a year would ease pressure on the district's operating budget, which ultimately affects Ohio taxpayers.

The grant will fund replacement of approximately 11,200 lamps and fixtures and a new web-based automation system across three schools. The total project cost is $763,279, with the district providing the matching share.

The players

Ohio Department of Development

The Ohio state agency that administers economic and energy-efficiency grant programs, including the Advanced Energy Fund that financed this project.

Bath Local School District

The Bath Township school district that will match the state grant and oversee the LED retrofit, automation upgrades, and HVAC replacement across its three schools.

The details

The grant was awarded through the Advanced Energy Fund, and the district will combine it with its own matching funds to pay for the work. The project retrofits LED lighting and upgrades building automation across the three schools, and a new web-based system will let staff manage building systems remotely. Work begins as soon as the grant funds arrive, and the elementary school's improperly installed HVAC system will be replaced, with completion expected in May.

Work begins as soon as grant funds arrive.
The elementary school HVAC replacement is expected to be complete in May.

The Home Front

State energy-efficiency grants that require local matching funds are a common way Ohio communities upgrade aging public buildings. The model shifts part of the capital cost to the state while districts carry the rest through their own budgets.

If you own an older home, a poorly installed HVAC system can quietly drive up repair bills, so consider having a licensed HVAC contractor review yours before the next season. Keep a record of any repairs and their costs, since they can inform future budgeting and replacement decisions.

The takeaway

Efficiency retrofits can pay for themselves through lower operating costs, which is why matching grants matter for both schools and homeowners. Have a licensed professional evaluate any HVAC system that has needed repeated pump or compressor repairs.