Seminole County Schools Adjusts Thermostats to Address Budget Shortfall
Seminole County Public Schools has raised its air conditioning temperature settings in an effort to save an estimated $1.5 million annually on electricity costs, amidst a reported $30 million budget shortfall. Temperatures will be increased from 71 to 74 degrees…
Orlando Daytona Beach Melbourne, FL, August 27, 2026 —
Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) has implemented a new policy to adjust its air conditioning temperature settings across facilities. This measure is designed to achieve significant annual savings on electricity expenses.
The district stated that the adjustments are expected to result in an estimated savings of $1.5 million per year. This initiative comes at a time when SCPS is reportedly facing a substantial budget shortfall, estimated at $30 million.
Under the revised policy, the thermostat settings will be elevated. During regular school days, the target temperature will increase from 71 degrees Fahrenheit to 74 degrees Fahrenheit. When school buildings are unoccupied, such as during evenings, weekends, or holidays, the temperature will be raised from 74 degrees Fahrenheit to 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
The decision to raise cooling setpoints is a direct response to the district’s financial challenges, aiming to reduce operational costs through energy conservation. Further details regarding the implementation timeline and potential impacts on classroom environments were not provided in the initial summary of the trend.
Story summarized from the original created by McKenna Schueler on www.orlandoweekly.com, see more information here.
