Speaking Monday at the signing ceremony of a cooperation agreement between the National Iranian Gas Co. and the school renovation organization under a national plan to improve boiler room efficiency, Hamidreza Khanmohammadi highlighted the need to upgrade heating systems in schools. He said outdated and inefficient systems remain one of the biggest challenges, especially during the colder months when they can cause numerous problems for students.

Khanmohammadi said the goal of the agreement is to turn efficient energy use into a public culture, adding that students should come to view saving energy as a basic principle. “There are currently 63,000 boiler rooms in schools across the country, which provide a massive capacity for optimizing energy consumption,” he said.

Promoting Energy-Saving Habits at Home

The deputy minister noted that Iran’s public schools serve 13.5 million students, and the plan can help extend energy-saving habits into their households. Over time, he said, the effort could help shift broader public attitudes toward energy consumption.

Outlining the implementation steps, he said a joint meeting between provincial school renovation directors, Education Ministry officials and National Iranian Gas Co. managers is needed to design a clear process for carrying out the plan. The process will include identifying schools in need of upgrades, defining necessary actions and securing required permits.

He also pointed to successful energy optimization efforts in Kurdistan Province, describing them as a potential model for other regions. The objective, he said, is to implement the plan nationwide.

Using New Technologies to Improve Efficiency

Khanmohammadi emphasized the importance of utilizing modern technologies in school energy systems. Key priorities include replacing outdated heating equipment with high-efficiency systems and installing smart boiler rooms—measures he said would significantly reduce energy use and improve student comfort.

He added that schools need more accurate data on their gas consumption. “School administrators must be aware of their energy use. We still lack precise information on gas consumption in schools, and these data need to be collected,” he said. Schools operating double or multiple shifts require special attention to establish accurate, consistent energy-use patterns.

Khanmohammadi said the goal is to turn schools into models of efficient energy consumption. As part of this effort, schools that reduce gas use and implement other optimization measures will receive certain benefits. An operational package outlining these measures will be finalized soon and made available to school administrators and relevant agencies.