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ASHRAE
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ASHRAE
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The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE /ˈæʃreɪ/ ASH-ray) is an American professional association seeking to advance heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems design and construction. ASHRAE has over 50,000 members in more than 130 countries worldwide.

Key Information

ASHRAE's members comprise building services engineers, architects, mechanical contractors, building owners, equipment manufacturers' employees, and others concerned with the design and construction of HVAC&R systems in buildings. The society funds research projects, offers continuing education programs, and develops and publishes technical standards to improve building services engineering, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and sustainable development.[3]

History

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ASHRAE was founded in 1894 at a meeting of engineers in New York City, formerly headquartered at 345 East 47th Street (the United Engineering Center), and has held an annual meeting since 1895.[4] Until 1954 it was known as the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers (ASHVE); in that year it changed its name to the American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHAE).[5] Its current name and organization came from the 1959 merger of ASHAE and the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE).

Despite having 'American' in its name, ASHRAE is a global organization,[6] holding international events.[7][8] In 2012, it rebranded itself with a new logo and tagline: "Shaping Tomorrow's Built Environment Today".

Publications

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The ASHRAE Handbook is a four-volume resource for HVAC&R technology and is available in both print and electronic versions. The volumes are Fundamentals, HVAC Applications, HVAC Systems and Equipment, and Refrigeration. One of the four volumes is updated each year.

ASHRAE also publishes a set of standards and guidelines relating to HVAC systems and issues, that are often referenced in building codes and used by consulting engineers, mechanical contractors, architects, and government agencies.[9][10] These standards are periodically reviewed, revised and republished.

Examples of some ASHRAE Standards are:

The society also publishes two magazines: the ASHRAE Journal is issued monthly, and High Performing Buildings Magazine is published quarterly. They contain articles on related technology, information on upcoming meetings, editorials, and case studies of various well-performing buildings.[13]

ASHRAE also publishes books, ASHRAE Transactions, and the International Journal of HVAC&R Research.

Legislation

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ASHRAE supported the Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act of 2014 (H.R. 4092; 113th Congress), a bill that would require the United States Department of Energy to establish a centralized clearinghouse to disseminate information on federal programs, incentives, and mechanisms for financing energy-efficient retrofits and upgrades at schools.[14][15]

Society awards

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ASHRAE offers six categories of awards: achievement awards to recognize personal honors; personal awards for general and specific society activities; paper awards; society awards for groups or chapters; chapters and regional awards.[16]

ASHRAE Fellows

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ASHRAE Fellow is a Membership Grade of Distinction conferred by The College of Fellows of ASHRAE, Inc.[17] to an ASHRAE member with significant publications or innovations and distinguished scientific and engineering background in the fields of heating, refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation. The ASHRAE Fellow membership grade is the highest elected grade in ASHRAE.

Hall of Fame

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ASHRAE has a Hall of Fame honoring "deceased members who have made milestone contributions to the growth of ASHRAE-related technology. Individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame must have been an ASHRAE member (any grade) or a member of a predecessor Society and must have shown evidence of distinction in the Society, either technically or academically."[18]

Headquarters renewal

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To demonstrate the Society's commitment to sustainability, ASHRAE renovated its previous headquarters building in Atlanta, Ga. After the renovation and occupancy in June 2008, the building received many awards, including an Energy Star rating with a score of 95, a Platinum Certification from USGBC's LEED program, and four Green Globes from the Green Building Initiative. The current site energy use intensity (EUI) is 35.8 kBtu/Sqft (411 MJ/m2), a 60 percent reduction from the pre-renovation value. The renovation included the use of a dedicated outdoor air supply (DOAS) system with energy recovery and humidity control; a ground-source heat pump system (GSHP); and variable refrigerant flow systems with heat recovery.[19] The building also serves as a live case study. A web-based user interface allowed researchers around the world to extract data from the building to study factors such as energy use and electric power demand, water consumption and indoor air quality.[20]

In 2018, ASHRAE decided to move their world headquarters, settling on retrofitting a 1970s-era building in Peachtree Corners, suburban Atlanta. Completed in 2022, the building has been renovated to comply with ASHRAE's own standards, including ASHRAE 90.1, and the organization has the goal of operating the building at net-zero energy, powered by a large on-site solar array.[21]

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

ASHRAE

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from Grokipedia
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is a global professional society founded in dedicated to serving humanity by advancing the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, , , and allied fields to foster a healthy and sustainable . Formed in 1959 through the merger of the American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (established ) and the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (established 1904), ASHRAE has grown to encompass more than 50,000 members across over 130 countries. ASHRAE's core activities include developing consensus-based technical standards that guide HVAC&R system design, such as Standard 90.1 for energy efficiency in buildings and Standard 55 for thermal environmental conditions for human occupancy, which are widely incorporated into national building codes. The society publishes authoritative handbooks, funds initiatives, and offers programs to promote innovations in , , and sustainable practices. While its standards have driven significant advancements in building performance, certain provisions—such as ventilation rates in Standard 62.2 or energy metrics in guidelines—have prompted debates over practicality, cost, and policy implications among engineers and policymakers.

Overview

Mission and Objectives

ASHRAE's mission is to serve humanity by advancing the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and their allied fields. This core purpose, established since the society's founding in 1894, emphasizes practical contributions to building systems, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and through targeted activities such as , standards development, technical publishing, and professional . Complementing the mission, ASHRAE's vision is a healthy and sustainable for all, guiding efforts to integrate sustainable technologies that enhance human globally. The society's objectives are outlined in its 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, which prioritizes leadership in developing and promoting standards and solutions for indoor (IEQ), decarbonization, and resilience against environmental challenges. Specific initiatives include forming alliances and diverse working groups to foster global collaboration on these fronts, creating member-driven resources aligned with industry trends, and leveraging like for energy-efficient smart buildings. Additional objectives focus on enhancing by tailoring educational guidance and partnerships to empower professionals in applying ASHRAE's advancements, while addressing barriers to knowledge access through improved communication channels and financial inclusivity. These objectives build on longstanding commitments to unbiased and rigorous generation, ensuring that ASHRAE's outputs support decarbonization goals, development, and resilient without compromising technical integrity. By emphasizing measurable impacts—such as widely adopted standards and accessible content—ASHRAE aims to influence the global , with over 50,000 members contributing to these ends across more than 130 countries.

Membership and Organizational Structure

ASHRAE membership consists of professionals in heating, refrigerating, and air-conditioning fields, with over 50,000 members spanning more than 130 countries. The society offers four primary membership grades: Member, for individuals with or education in HVAC&R; Associate, for those supporting the society's objectives; Affiliate, for allied professionals; and , for enrolled students in relevant fields. Members engage through local chapters, regions, and technical committees, with benefits including access to standards, publications, and networking events. The organizational structure is hierarchical, governed by a (BOD) that sets policies and oversees operations. The BOD comprises an Executive Committee—including the President, President-Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, and five Vice Presidents—responsible for strategic ; 15 Directors and Regional Chairs representing Regions I through XV and a Region-at-Large; and nine Directors-at-Large providing specialized input. Regional Chairs facilitate coordination among chapters within their geographic areas, while the BOD meets periodically to approve budgets, standards, and initiatives. ASHRAE divides its global presence into 16 regions, each encompassing multiple local chapters for grassroots activities such as technical meetings and education programs. These regions host Chapter Regional Conferences (CRCs) biannually to review operations, share best practices, and elect leaders, guided by the Regions Operations Manual. The society maintains approximately 199 chapters and 400 student branches worldwide, enabling members to participate in localized professional development and advocacy. Additional standing committees, councils, and over 100 technical committees support specialized functions like standards development and publications.

History

Founding and Early Development (1894–1959)

The American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers (ASHVE) was established on September 10, 1894, in New York City by a group of engineers dissatisfied with the limited reception of heating and ventilation topics within the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), where such technical papers often elicited tepid responses amid conflicts between business interests and pure engineering discourse. Hugh J. Barron is recognized as the principal founder, with key collaborators including Louis Hart and William Mackay, who aimed to promote fellowship, knowledge exchange, and standardization in heating and ventilating systems through regular meetings and publications. Parallel to ASHVE's growth, the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE) was founded in to advance refrigeration engineering amid rapid technological progress in mechanical cooling systems, including hermetically sealed units developed around that era. ASRE focused on technical dissemination, research, and specific to , commemorating its 50th anniversary in 1954 by sealing a to document field advancements. ASHVE evolved through the early 20th century by expanding its research capabilities, establishing a dedicated Bureau in 1919 to undertake empirical studies on system performance and efficiency. In 1922, it published the inaugural ASHVE Guide, a comprehensive reference compiling design data, standards, and best practices for heating, ventilating, and emerging air-conditioning applications. By 1954, reflecting the integration of air-conditioning technologies, ASHVE rebranded as the American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHAE), broadening its scope to encompass comfort cooling alongside traditional heating and ventilation. As overlaps in membership and technical interests grew between ASHAE and ASRE—particularly in interdisciplinary areas like combined heating-refrigeration systems—the societies pursued consolidation; in December 1958, their members voted to merge, culminating in the official formation of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) on , 1959, with initial headquarters at the United Engineering Center in New York. This union integrated the complementary strengths of both organizations, enabling unified standards development and research in an era of post-World War II building booms and energy system innovations.

Post-Merger Growth and Key Milestones (1959–2000)

Following the 1959 merger of the American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHAE) and the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE), ASHRAE commenced operations on January 29 with approximately 20,000 members and 87 chapters, headquartered at the United Engineering Center in . The unified society prioritized integrating research, standards development, and professional activities from both predecessors, fostering rapid consolidation of technical committees and publication efforts. Membership expanded significantly amid postwar economic growth and rising demand for HVAC technologies, reaching nearly 50,000 by , with over 10,700 international members across 120 countries. This period saw the establishment of formal agreements with national associations in 23 countries to support overseas chapters and , marking early steps toward global outreach. Domestically, the society responded to the by developing influential standards, including ASHRAE Standard 62-1973 on ventilation for acceptable and ASHRAE Standard 90-1975, the first U.S. energy conservation guideline for buildings except low-rise residential structures, which influenced federal policy through recognition by the U.S. government. These efforts were complemented by the opening of a Washington, D.C., office in the early 1980s to engage policymakers on energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. In 1985, ASHRAE adopted its inaugural strategic plan, emphasizing membership recruitment, chapter vitality, and research promotion to sustain growth amid and technological demands in southern U.S. regions and abroad. The featured advancements in digital resources, such as the 1997 launch of the ASHRAE Technology Portal for member access to historical articles, and a commemorative publication series "A First Century of " in the ASHRAE Journal from December 1998 to November 1999, documenting industry evolution. By 2000, these initiatives had solidified ASHRAE's role in advancing evidence-based HVAC practices, with ongoing updates to standards like (first issued 1975, revised iteratively) and expanded technical committees addressing refrigerants and thermal systems.

21st-Century Expansion and Adaptations

In the early , ASHRAE intensified efforts to globalize its operations, building on prior international outreach by establishing mechanisms for broader technical collaboration and standards adoption worldwide. Membership, which stood at approximately 50,000 in 1984 with significant U.S. dominance, saw steady international growth, reaching a 14-year high of 56,105 by , reflecting expanded in emerging markets and . By the , the society rebranded to emphasize its acronym alone in 2012, signaling a shift from U.S.-centric roots to a fully international identity serving professionals across 132 nations. This included forming new regional structures, such as enhanced European chapters in Ireland and the , to foster cross-border knowledge exchange. Adaptations to 21st-century challenges centered on and resilience amid rising energy demands and environmental pressures. ASHRAE updated core standards like ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 iteratively, with the 2022 edition achieving 9.8% site energy savings over prior versions through enhanced efficiency requirements for HVAC systems, , and envelopes in commercial buildings. In response to concerns, the society articulated positions advocating HVAC&R technologies that minimize CO2 emissions via improved energy utilization, low-global-warming-potential refrigerants, and integration of renewables, as outlined in its 2023 policy document. These efforts extended to emerging threats, including the 2024 Guideline 44 for protecting occupants from smoke via ventilation strategies and the post-2020 refinements to Standard 241 for mitigation in indoor air, adapting to pandemics and air quality crises. Organizational evolution included the 2023 creation of the Global Technical Interaction Committee to amplify standards' international adoption and influence, addressing globalization's demands for harmonized technical frameworks. The 2025–2028 Strategic Plan further prioritizes resilient, low-carbon buildings through initiatives in research, education, and advocacy, aiming to counter decarbonization challenges while maintaining technical leadership. These adaptations underscore ASHRAE's pivot from traditional engineering focus to proactive integration of data-driven, evidence-based protocols for global built environments.

Technical Standards and Guidelines

Energy Standards and Efficiency Protocols

ASHRAE develops and maintains several key standards that establish minimum requirements for energy-efficient , , and operation of , influencing national and international building codes. These standards prioritize measurable reductions in consumption through prescriptive and performance-based pathways, incorporating advancements in , , HVAC systems, and renewable integration. The cornerstone standard, ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1, titled "Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings," sets baseline efficiency criteria for commercial and high-rise multifamily structures. First published in 1975 and updated triennially, the 2022 edition—released in January 2023—expands scope to include site energy use, such as parking lots and landscaping, and introduces requirements for onsite generation for the first time in a U.S. model code. Compared to the 2019 version, it achieves 9.8% site energy savings, 9.4% source energy savings, and 9.3% carbon emission reductions through tightened limits on HVAC efficiency, lighting (e.g., reduced to 0.62 W/ft² for spaces), and mandatory controls. For low-rise residential buildings, ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 90.2 provides high-performance design guidelines, emphasizing insulation (e.g., R-20 walls in zones 4-8), efficient HVAC (e.g., SEER 15+ for cooling), and domestic hot water systems. The 2024 edition updates prior versions like 2018 by incorporating stricter reduction targets, expanded retrofit provisions, and performance metrics aligned with net-zero goals, such as allowing offsite renewable credits toward rating indices. It targets at least 50% efficiency improvement over baseline codes like the 2006 International Code (IECC). ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 100 addresses energy efficiency in existing buildings via a systematic operations and maintenance framework, updated in the 2024 edition to prioritize decarbonization through load reduction, , and metering protocols. It mandates audits revealing at least 10% potential savings before upgrades and includes criteria for ongoing commissioning to sustain performance, such as verifying HVAC setpoints and insulation integrity. This standard supports retrofits without full redesign, focusing on verifiable outcomes like reduced . Complementary resources include the Advanced Energy Design Guides (AEDGs), which offer practical pathways to 30-50% beyond-code efficiency or zero-net energy, tailored to building types like offices or schools, and Standards 180 and 211, which specify HVAC maintenance protocols to prevent efficiency degradation over time (e.g., annual filter checks and coil cleaning). These protocols collectively underpin model codes like the IECC, with empirical from DOE analyses confirming their role in national energy savings exceeding 20% in compliant jurisdictions.

Ventilation, Air Quality, and Health Standards

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1, Ventilation for Acceptable , establishes minimum ventilation rates and design requirements for commercial and institutional buildings to dilute airborne contaminants, control indoor pollutant sources, and achieve (IAQ) acceptable to a substantial of occupants while minimizing potential adverse effects from indoor air. First published in 1973 and updated to the 2022 edition, it employs two primary compliance paths: the Ventilation Rate Procedure (VRP), which prescribes outdoor airflow rates based on occupancy density and —such as 5 cubic feet per minute (cfm) per person plus 0.06 cfm per square foot for office spaces—and the Indoor Air Quality Procedure (IAQP), which allows equivalent ventilation through enhanced air cleaning to maintain contaminant concentrations below specified thresholds. Standard 62.1 also mandates exhaust ventilation for areas with high pollutant generation, like laboratories and kitchens, with minimum rates such as 10 cfm per hood face area for general exhaust or higher for specific contaminants, and requires systems to maintain negative pressure in contaminant-prone zones relative to adjacent spaces. Filtration and air cleaning are addressed through integration with Standard 52.2, which defines Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values () for filters; for instance, the standard recommends MERV 13 or higher in many applications to capture fine particulates linked to respiratory risks. Indoor (CO₂) levels serve as a proxy for ventilation adequacy, with concentrations above 1,000 parts per million (ppm) indicating potential under-ventilation, though CO₂ itself is not a primary hazard but correlates with occupant-generated bioeffluents affecting perceived air quality. For residential buildings, ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.2, Ventilation and Acceptable , updated to the 2025 edition, specifies rates of 0.03 cfm per square foot of floor area plus 7.5 cfm per person (or 3 cfm per 100 square feet for continuous operation), alongside requirements to limit pollutant sources like appliances and building materials. These standards emphasize causal links between inadequate ventilation and health outcomes, such as increased respiratory infections from accumulation or exposure leading to irritation and long-term effects. In response to the , ASHRAE developed Standard 241, Control of Infectious Aerosols, published in 2023 as the organization's first dedicated pathogen mitigation standard, mandating engineering controls like enhanced (MERV 13+), increased outdoor air intake, and upper-room UVGI to reduce transmission risk by at least 10-fold equivalence compared to baseline ventilation. Pandemic-era guidance, including pre-occupancy flushing with 100% outdoor air and disabling demand-controlled ventilation temporarily, underscored ventilation's role in diluting infectious , with empirical data from field studies showing reduced viral loads in well-ventilated spaces. These measures build on first-principles of dynamics, prioritizing dilution and removal over unproven assumptions about surface transmission dominance.

Thermal Comfort and Other Specialized Guidelines

ASHRAE Standard 55, titled Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy, establishes criteria for assessing and predicting thermal comfort in occupied spaces, defining it as the subjective state of satisfaction with the surrounding thermal environment experienced by occupants. The standard specifies acceptable ranges of operative temperature, humidity, air speed, and metabolic rate to ensure comfort for at least 80% of occupants under typical conditions, using methods such as the predicted mean vote (PMV) model for controlled environments and the adaptive comfort model for naturally conditioned spaces. First published in 1966 and updated periodically, the 2023 edition incorporates refinements to elevation effects, clothing insulation values, and local discomfort limits, with addenda addressing comfort zone definitions and measurement protocols approved as late as October 2023. The PMV model, based on Fanger's heat balance equation, predicts thermal sensation on a seven-point scale from -3 () to +3 (hot), integrating factors like air (typically 20–26°C for sedentary activity), radiant asymmetry (limited to ±2.5 K), and relative (30–60% to avoid skin dryness). In contrast, the adaptive model applies to buildings without mechanical cooling, where comfort correlates with outdoor conditions via an 80% acceptability band, supported by global field studies showing occupants tolerate wider indoor ranges (e.g., 10–12°C daily fluctuation) when behavioral adjustments like window opening are possible. Compliance documentation requires surveys or simulations, with the standard emphasizing that individual factors like age, gender, and influence perceptions but are not mandatory for design unless specified. Beyond , ASHRAE develops specialized guidelines for systems, including Standard 15 (Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems), which delineates requirements for system design, installation, and operation to mitigate risks from refrigerant leaks, pressure vessels, and flammability, classifying systems by charge limits and occupancy types (e.g., high-probability systems limited to A1 refrigerants with low and no ). Complementing this, Standard 34 (Designation and Safety Classification of Refrigerants) assigns numerical codes (e.g., R-134a as A1) based on (A or B) and flammability (1–3), establishing exposure limits like 50,000 ppm for A1 classes to prevent acute health effects, with updates reflecting emerging low-global-warming-potential alternatives. For high-risk environments, ASHRAE Standard 170 (Ventilation of Health Care Facilities), jointly with ASHE, provides specialized thermal and environmental controls for hospitals, mandating minimum temperatures (e.g., 20–24°C in rooms) and (30–60% in operating rooms) to reduce microbial growth and support recovery, exceeding general comfort standards due to control needs. In data centers, ASHRAE Technical Committee 9.9 guidelines recommend allowable temperature ranges of 18–27°C (Class A1 equipment) for IT hardware, prioritizing energy efficiency by permitting higher setpoints without reliability loss, as validated by data showing negligible increases up to 32°C under controlled (20–80% RH). These guidelines underscore ASHRAE's focus on application-specific adaptations, balancing occupant or equipment needs with safety and efficiency.

Publications and Resources

Handbooks and Technical References

The ASHRAE Handbook series serves as the primary technical reference for professionals in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R), compiling engineering data, design methods, and best practices derived from research and field experience. Published in four volumes—Fundamentals, HVAC Applications, HVAC Systems and Equipment, and Refrigeration—the series provides comprehensive coverage of thermodynamic principles, system design, equipment selection, and application strategies. One volume is revised annually, ensuring that the entire set remains current with no volume exceeding four years in age, which supports ongoing advancements in energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and sustainable practices. Fundamentals volume addresses core scientific principles, including , heat transfer, fluid flow, and load calculations, with updates incorporating recent empirical data on climate variability and building physics. The 2025 edition, for instance, integrates expanded sections on moisture management and simulation tools validated against experimental datasets. HVAC Applications, last revised in 2023, focuses on practical implementations across building types, such as commercial, industrial, and healthcare facilities, emphasizing ventilation strategies backed by measurements and contaminant dispersion studies. HVAC Systems and Equipment (2024 edition) details component performance, including fans, coils, and controls, with performance curves and efficiency ratings derived from standardized testing protocols. (2022 edition) covers cycle , compressor technologies, and cold storage applications, reflecting updates on low-global-warming-potential refrigerants based on thermodynamic modeling and safety assessments. Beyond the core handbooks, ASHRAE produces specialized technical references such as design guides and data compendia, which extend handbook content into targeted areas like datacom facilities and laboratory ventilation. For example, the ASHRAE Datacom Series includes volumes on thermal guidelines for data centers, incorporating case studies with measured (PUE) values under varying loads. These references prioritize peer-reviewed contributions from technical committees, ensuring alignment with verifiable principles over unsubstantiated trends. Access to the handbooks is available in print, digital, or formats via ASHRAE's platform, which aggregates all volumes for subscription-based use.

Journals, Magazines, and Research Outputs

ASHRAE publishes the ASHRAE Journal, a monthly peer-reviewed magazine that delivers application-oriented articles on heating, ventilation, , (HVAC&R), and related building technologies, including topics such as , , and system design. Launched following the society's merger, it provides practical insights for engineers and practitioners, with full archives available digitally from January 1997 onward for members via the ASHRAE Technology Portal. The ASHRAE Transactions serves as the official archival record of technical papers and research presented at the society's Winter and Annual Conferences, encompassing double-blind reviewed technical papers, single-blind conference papers, and extended abstracts on advancements in HVAC&R and building systems. Originating from predecessor societies dating to , it emphasizes content of permanent interest, including discussions and data for researchers and industry professionals. For dedicated research dissemination, ASHRAE co-publishes Science and Technology for the Built Environment (STBE), an archival journal focused on original, peer-reviewed studies in science and engineering related to stationary and mobile built environments, covering energy systems, indoor environments, and sustainable technologies. Formerly known as HVAC&R Research, STBE prioritizes lasting contributions over preliminary findings, with issues released bimonthly. ASHRAE also issues High Performing Buildings Magazine, a quarterly publication featuring case studies of exemplary structures that demonstrate energy-efficient and principles, aimed at building owners, architects, and facility managers. Research outputs extend beyond periodicals to include final reports from over 600 ASHRAE-funded projects, accessible to members through annual subscriptions via the Technology Portal, supporting empirical advancements in HVAC&R fundamentals and applications. Conference papers from events since 2017 are freely downloadable in PDF format, while older materials are available for purchase.

Education, Certification, and Professional Development

Training Programs and Certifications

ASHRAE's training programs are primarily delivered through the ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI), which provides seminars, short courses, eLearning modules, and instructor-led training sessions focused on HVAC&R topics such as design, operations, energy efficiency, and building systems. These offerings include scheduled courses awarding Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and Learning Units upon completion, with examples encompassing HVAC Design and Operations seminars and specialized packages on air systems or AC and principles. eLearning options feature course packages totaling specific PDHs, such as 4.5 PDHs for AC and Refrigeration Principles (I-P units), accessible to individuals or chapters for ongoing education. The ALI's global training catalog includes peer-reviewed courses available for scheduling, covering areas like building decarbonization and grid-interactive buildings, with an emphasis on practical application for engineers and facility managers. ASHRAE also supports customized for companies and chapters, including webinars and the Distinguished Lecturer Program for disseminating knowledge on emerging standards and technologies. These programs ensure professionals remain current with industry advancements, often aligning with requirements from bodies like state licensing boards or the . ASHRAE offers several personnel certifications accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) under ISO/IEC 17024 standards (ID #1139), validating competencies in specialized HVAC&R domains without implying endorsement of specific products. Key certifications include:
  • Building Commissioning Professional (BCxP): Focuses on commissioning processes for building systems to ensure performance meets design intent.
  • Building Energy Assessment Professional (BEAP): Validates skills in assessing commercial building energy use, equipment evaluation, and site conditions for efficiency improvements.
  • Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP): Certifies expertise in for buildings to predict performance and support .
  • Certified HVAC Designer (CHD): Demonstrates proficiency in HVAC system design principles and applications.
  • Healthcare Facility Design Professional (HFDP): Targets design competencies for healthcare environments, emphasizing infection control and .
  • High-Performance Building Design Professional (HBDP): Covers for high-performance buildings, including energy, water, and indoor environmental quality.
Over 2,500 certifications have been awarded across these programs, recognized by more than 30 government entities, with candidates typically requiring relevant experience, education (e.g., bachelor's in ), and passing rigorous exams. Digital badges are issued upon achievement, enhancing professional credentials in compliance with local regulations.

Conferences, Chapters, and Knowledge Dissemination

ASHRAE organizes two primary conferences each year: the Winter Conference, typically held in late January or early February, and the Annual Conference, usually in June. These events feature technical sessions, seminars, committee meetings, and expositions, facilitating the exchange of research and best practices among heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) professionals. The Conferences and Expositions Committee oversees their planning and execution to ensure cost-effective delivery. For example, the 2025 Winter Conference occurred February 8–12 in Orlando, Florida, including sessions on HVACR fundamentals and smart buildings, while the 2025 Annual Conference took place June 21–25 in Phoenix, Arizona. Proceedings from these conferences, containing presented papers, are published and available for purchase post-event. In addition to flagship events, ASHRAE hosts topical conferences focused on specialized areas such as building performance or , alongside virtual conferences for broader accessibility and Chapters Regional Conferences (CRCs), which occur biannually in fall and spring. CRCs enable chapter representatives to network, share operational insights, and address regional challenges, with structured agendas including delegate sessions and best-practice workshops. These gatherings often coincide with or precede major expositions like the AHR Expo, enhancing industry-wide . ASHRAE supports over 170 local chapters worldwide, distributed across 16 regions, serving as grassroots hubs for professional engagement. Chapters organize monthly meetings, technical seminars, and public programs to disseminate HVACR advancements locally, including lecturer visits and student support initiatives. Chapter operations follow guidelines in the Manual for Chapter Operations, emphasizing sustainable practices and one-year officer terms, with resources like free website templates provided by the society. Regional committees review chapter recommendations on policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with ASHRAE's global objectives. Through these mechanisms, ASHRAE disseminates knowledge by presenting findings, standards updates, and practical applications at conferences and chapter events, prioritizing empirical advancements in HVACR . This structure promotes direct interaction among over 50,000 members from 132 nations, fostering evidence-based discourse unencumbered by institutional biases often prevalent in broader academic or media channels.

Advocacy, Policy Influence, and Legislation

Role in Building Codes and Energy Regulations

ASHRAE's standards, particularly ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1, establish minimum requirements for energy-efficient design in commercial and high-rise residential buildings, serving as a core for model energy codes adopted nationwide. This standard, updated triennially through a consensus process involving industry experts, provides performance criteria for building envelopes, HVAC systems, , and service water heating, influencing regulations that mandate compliance to reduce . For instance, the 2022 edition incorporates over 80 addenda and introduces energy credits targeting approximately 5% additional savings in building energy costs. The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), developed by the (ICC), explicitly requires commercial buildings to comply with in its Chapter 4 provisions, positioning the standard as an alternate or primary compliance path alongside IECC's own prescriptive methods. ASHRAE's Code Interaction Subcommittee (CIS) facilitates this integration by submitting standards for adoption into national model codes, including the IECC, International Building Code (IBC), and International Mechanical Code (IMC), ensuring technical alignment without direct regulatory authority. Over time, buildings designed to ASHRAE 90.1-2016 use less than half the energy of those under baseline, demonstrating cumulative regulatory impact as states and localities adopt updated versions. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) plays a statutory role in evaluating ASHRAE 90.1 updates, determining whether they represent a significant energy efficiency improvement before states can claim compliance with federal baselines under the Energy Conservation and Production Act. In March 2024, DOE affirmed ASHRAE 90.1-2022, projecting nationwide savings from its enhancements, including renewable energy provisions, while ASHRAE collaborates with DOE and ICC on training programs like the $2.85 million Energy Code Training Collaborative (ECO-TEC) grant awarded in 2023 to bolster enforcement among code officials. Similarly, ASHRAE Standard 62.1 for ventilation and indoor air quality is incorporated into the IMC, extending influence to health-related building regulations enforced at state and local levels. These mechanisms underscore ASHRAE's indirect but pivotal role in shaping enforceable regulations through voluntary consensus standards.

Public Policy Positions and Government Engagement

ASHRAE maintains a dedicated Government Affairs office to monitor legislative activities across federal, state, provincial, and local levels, including Congress and regulatory bodies, while providing technical expertise to policymakers. The organization engages through grassroots efforts, such as Government Outreach Events that facilitate direct interactions between members and officials, and an Advocacy Toolkit equipping volunteers to communicate positions on built environment issues. Staff, including Director Alice Yates with over 25 years in policy analysis and Manager Jacob Karson focused on outreach, lead these initiatives to position ASHRAE as a resource for evidence-based regulation. The Affairs Committee organizes members to educate officials and influence , emphasizing cooperation on standards adoption and performance requirements. ASHRAE submits letters, testimony, and comments on proposed rules, such as supporting incorporation by reference of updated standards to benefit public and government efficiency, as in 2012 feedback to the . Bi-weekly Government Affairs Updates inform members of actions affecting heating, ventilation, , and refrigeration sectors. ASHRAE's public policy positions, formalized in Board-approved documents, prioritize technical standards for energy use, emissions reduction, and occupant health without compromising indoor environmental quality. Key positions include:
  • Energy Efficiency in Buildings (approved November 6, 2024): Advocates adopting ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 for new and existing structures, targeting net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 for new buildings and 2050 for existing ones via retrofits, while ensuring strategies maintain thermal comfort and air quality across the building lifecycle.
  • Building Decarbonization (June 26, 2022): Calls for halving 2015 emissions levels by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2050 through electrification, efficiency measures, and low-carbon fuels, integrated with ASHRAE standards updates.
  • Indoor Air Quality (revised June 2023): Recommends enhanced ventilation, filtration, and source control to mitigate pollutants, with emphasis on post-occupancy evaluation and compliance with standards like 62.1.
  • Refrigerants and Responsible Use (reaffirmed June 25, 2025): Supports phase-down of high-global-warming-potential refrigerants per Montreal Protocol schedules, favoring low-impact alternatives with safety assessments.
Issue briefs extend these to topics like building energy benchmarking, wildfire smoke mitigation, and resiliency, aligning with 2025-26 priorities on decarbonization and ventilation. Positions derive from expert analysis, prioritizing empirical performance data over unsubstantiated mandates.

Awards and Honors

Society-Level Awards

ASHRAE confers society-level awards to honor members for exceptional contributions to the society's mission, encompassing technical , volunteer service, research, and leadership in heating, refrigerating, air-conditioning, and related fields. These awards, administered through the Honors and Awards Committee, are presented annually at major conferences such as the Winter and Annual Meetings, following nominations from members, chapters, or committees and rigorous evaluation based on predefined criteria like impact, , and dedication. Unlike regional or chapter awards, society-level recognitions highlight international significance and are limited in number to maintain prestige. Prominent among these is the F. Paul Anderson Award, ASHRAE's highest honor for technical achievement, named after a former president of a predecessor and given for notable service advancing the HVAC&R profession through engineering excellence and societal impact. In 2025, Ashok Virmani, a Life Member, received it for pioneering contributions to technology and international standards development. Service-oriented awards recognize sustained volunteerism. The Distinguished Service Award salutes faithful contributions to society operations, with 2025 recipients including Abbott-Adkins for leadership in technical committees. The Andrew T. Boggs Service Award, established in 1983, honors unselfish dedication beyond typical expectations; Costas A. Balaras received it in 2025 for advancements in building . The Exceptional Service Award extends recognition to prior Distinguished Service recipients for ongoing exemplary efforts, awarded to figures like Hoy Bohanon in 2025. Technical and specialized awards target domain-specific excellence. The Standards Achievement Award acknowledges leadership in developing consensus standards; H. Jay Enck and Jason Glazer earned it in 2025 for work on ventilation and guidelines. The Donald Bahnfleth Environmental Health Award, initiated in 2021, honors indoor advancements; Jeffrey Siegel received it in 2025 for aerosol transmission research. The Eunice Foote Decarbonization Award, named for an early discoverer, recognizes carbon reduction efforts in buildings; Stet Sanborn won in 2025 for low-carbon HVAC strategies.
Award NamePurposeExample Criteria2025 Recipient(s)
George B. Hightower Technical Achievement AwardExcellence in technical committee volunteerismSustained innovation in standards and research disseminationPhil Naughton
Standards Achievement AwardLeadership in ASHRAE standards developmentImpact on codes, guidelines, and industry practicesH. Jay Enck, Jason Glazer
Lower GWP Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Innovation AwardNovel low-global-warming-potential technologies for developing contextsFeasibility, environmental benefit, and scalabilityHuanan Shen et al. (Group 1); Guogeng He et al. (Group 2)
ASHRAE Technology Awards (Society Level)Innovative building designs exceeding energy and sustainability benchmarksProjects advancing ASHRAE standards; judged globally from regional winnersVaries; e.g., decarbonization-focused entries in 2025
Paper and publication awards incentivize knowledge sharing. The Crosby Field Award recognizes the best society-presented paper; Michael Huylo and Atila Novoselac received it in 2025 for ventilation modeling work. The Willis H. Carrier Award honors young members (under 32) for conference papers; Patricia Guillante won in 2025 for control systems research. These, along with journal-specific honors like the ASHRAE Journal Paper Award (to Max Sherman in 2025), ensure rigorous and archival of advancements.

ASHRAE Fellows and Hall of Fame

The ASHRAE College of Fellows, established in October 2003 as a self-supporting composed exclusively of distinguished members, oversees the designation of Fellows to recognize individuals who have achieved notable distinction through substantial contributions to heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and (HVAC&R) technology and the . Eligibility requires at least 10 years of full membership in good standing, with nominations evaluated on criteria such as peer-recognized expertise, in technical advancements, or impactful service to the society, often evidenced by programs, patents leading to product innovations, or standards development. Fellows serve as ambassadors, promoting ASHRAE's technical authority through activities like conference participation and mentoring, with annual elections typically announced at winter meetings; for instance, in February 2025, new Fellows were honored for career-long impacts in areas such as building energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. Distinct from the Fellows program, the ASHRAE Hall of Fame posthumously inducts deceased members—or those from predecessor societies—who have delivered milestone innovations advancing HVAC&R technology's foundational growth, such as pioneering designs or empirical methodologies for . Nominations require documentation of transformative contributions, with inductees selected by a emphasizing verifiable historical impact over recency; criteria mandate prior ASHRAE affiliation in any grade. Recent examples include the 2025 induction of Raymond C. Thornton for advancements in and William Firth Wells for early work on airborne transmission control via ventilation principles, alongside prior honorees like Severin Konzo in 2017 for research underpinning modern building s. These recognitions, announced at annual conferences, preserve institutional memory of causal breakthroughs in energy-efficient climate control and applications.

Controversies and Criticisms

Debates Over Standard Stringency and Costs

The adoption of ASHRAE Standard 90.1, which establishes minimum energy efficiency requirements for commercial buildings and influences residential codes through integration with the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), has sparked debates over the balance between stringency and economic impacts. Builders and industry groups, such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), argue that updates like ASHRAE 90.1-2019 impose significant upfront compliance costs that exacerbate affordability challenges and slow construction. For instance, NAHB estimates that building to aligned codes like the 2021 IECC can add up to $31,000 to the cost of a new single-family home, with energy savings potentially taking 90 years to recoup, effectively acting as a drag on production amid shortages. In response to perceived overreach, builders filed a in January 2025 challenging the implementation of ASHRAE 90.1-2019-based standards, claiming they unconstitutionally increase costs and worsen the affordability by mandating inefficient or overly prescriptive measures. Critics from the sector contend that such stringency prioritizes theoretical long-term reductions over immediate economic realities, potentially pricing out moderate- and low-income buyers without commensurate benefits, as evidenced by NAHB's testimony to in May 2024 warning of reduced new home starts. Proponents of the standards, including the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), counter that cost-effectiveness analyses demonstrate net savings, with ASHRAE 90.1-2019 yielding average annual energy cost reductions of $0.048 to $0.081 per square foot across states like and , alongside CO2 emission cuts and job creation in efficiency sectors. These evaluations, often conducted by (PNNL), attribute higher initial costs to optional premium features rather than baseline compliance, estimating incremental expenses at 0.14% to 0.59% of construction budgets for ASHRAE 90.1-2019. Sector-specific controversies highlight implementation challenges; in 2010, data center operators including , , and Amazon opposed updates for emphasizing economizers over holistic efficiency metrics like (PUE), fearing mandated retrofits would drive unnecessary costs without proportional gains. ASHRAE maintained flexibility in compliance paths, but the episode underscored tensions between prescriptive requirements and innovative, site-specific solutions that could lower operational expenses more effectively. Similar concerns arose during the development of ASHRAE Standard 90.4 for data centers, where stakeholders warned of asset-impairing upgrades to meet PUE targets unsuitable for variable-load facilities. These debates reflect broader causal trade-offs: while empirical life-cycle analyses affirm ASHRAE standards' cost recovery through reduced energy use, upfront burdens can deter adoption in cost-sensitive markets unless offset by incentives or performance-based alternatives.

Challenges in Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Standards

One persistent challenge in ASHRAE's ventilation standards, particularly Standard 62.1, involves determining minimum outdoor air rates that adequately dilute contaminants while minimizing energy consumption. Ventilation rates have evolved incrementally, increasing from 5 cubic feet per minute (cfm) per person in earlier versions to 15-20 cfm per person in offices by the 1989 and subsequent updates, based on proxies like carbon dioxide levels as indicators of occupant-generated bioeffluents. However, these rates rely on assumptions about occupant density, activity levels, and pollutant sources that may not fully account for variable real-world conditions, such as higher emissions from modern building materials or cleaning products, leading to debates over under-ventilation in densely occupied spaces. The exposed limitations in pre-existing IAQ standards for airborne control, prompting ASHRAE to issue interim guidance in 2020 emphasizing higher filtration (MERV 13 or higher) and continuous outdoor air intake, but without initially quantifying exact rate increases due to uncertainties in transmission dynamics. Post-pandemic analyses revealed that many buildings operated below recommended rates, contributing to infection risks, yet implementing enhanced ventilation—such as doubling rates—can raise energy use by 20-50% in mechanically ventilated systems, fueling criticism that standards prioritize chemical dilution over bioaerosol risks or cost feasibility. Compliance and enforcement remain problematic, as surveys indicate 30-40% of U.S. commercial buildings provide ventilation below ASHRAE minima, often due to simplifications, neglect, or retrofitting costs in older structures. Standard 62.1's Ventilation Rate Procedure has grown complex with addenda for dynamic occupancy and demand-controlled systems, necessitating frequent interpretations (e.g., for zones or short-term exposures), which complicates adoption by engineers and regulators. Critics argue this evolution reflects reactive adjustments rather than proactive modeling of causal pathways, such as particle size-specific efficacy, potentially underestimating needs in high-risk settings like schools or healthcare facilities. Natural ventilation provisions in Standard 62.1, intended for milder climates, prescribe rates exceeding mechanical equivalents but face scrutiny for inconsistency with energy codes and pandemic-era preferences for filtered mechanical systems, marginalizing open windows despite evidence of their role in rapid dilution. Ongoing debates center on integrating real-time sensors for CO2 or particulates to adjust rates dynamically, as static minima may fail in scenarios with sporadic occupancy or external spikes, highlighting tensions between empirical validation and standardized simplicity.

Thermal Comfort Standards and Inclusivity Disputes

ASHRAE Standard 55, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy, establishes criteria for acceptable indoor thermal environments, primarily through the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) model and adaptive comfort models, which predict satisfaction based on factors including air , radiant , , air speed, metabolic rate, and . The standard targets conditions acceptable to at least 80% of occupants, derived from controlled chamber experiments and field studies aggregating subjective thermal sensation votes alongside physiological measurements of balance. The 2023 edition refined evaluation methods for clarity, including updated graphics for PMV calculations and expanded guidance on local discomfort, but retained core empirical foundations without major shifts toward demographic-specific adjustments. Disputes over inclusivity emerged prominently in the mid-2010s, centering on claims that Standard 55's baselines favor male , leading to overcooled spaces that disproportionately discomfort women due to differences in metabolic rate, , and clothing preferences. A 2015 analysis, echoed in media reports labeling as "sexist," argued that Fanger's PMV model—integral to the standard—underweights female heat loss patterns, resulting in office setpoints around 22–24°C that align better with male comfort. Proponents of reform, often from academic and circles, advocated for gender-differentiated zones or revised metabolic rates, citing surveys where women reported cooler preferences by 0.3–2.5°C on average. ASHRAE countered these critiques, emphasizing that Standard 55 incorporates data from diverse populations beyond the outdated stereotype of "middle-aged men in suits," with a 2015 statement clarifying that foundational research by Fanger and subsequent validations included varied demographics and balanced -specific traits like lower against reduced metabolic rates. Multiple empirical reviews confirm negligible statistical differences in neutral comfort temperatures between genders when controlling for activity and attire, with PMV adjustments adequately capturing individual variability rather than requiring categorical overrides. Field studies, including those in ASHRAE's global database, show gender gaps in votes rarely exceed margins that would alter the 80% acceptability threshold, attributing perceived inequities more to behavioral factors like acclimation and dress codes than inherent model flaws. Broader inclusivity debates extend to age, body size, and cultural acclimation, with some researchers pushing for "diversity-driven" adaptive models that widen comfort bands, as in proposals for personalized HVAC via sensors. However, ASHRAE's engineering consensus prioritizes causal mechanisms—thermoregulatory physics over subgroup quotas—maintaining that over-adjusting for outliers risks under-serving the majority, as evidenced by consistent validation of PMV against large-scale vote data. While ASHRAE's internal diversity initiatives address workforce representation, standard updates through 2023 reflect data fidelity over ideological mandates, underscoring disputes as often amplified by sources with interpretive biases toward equity narratives rather than physiological universality.

Impact and Recent Developments

Broader Influence on Industry and Society

ASHRAE's standards have profoundly shaped the global HVAC industry by establishing benchmarks for energy efficiency, system design, and performance that manufacturers and engineers must integrate into product development and project specifications. For example, ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1, which sets minimum requirements for energy-efficient , has been iteratively updated to drive technological advancements, resulting in commercial buildings compliant with the 2016 edition using less than half the energy of those built to the 1975 baseline. These standards influence procurement and compliance worldwide, fostering innovation in low-energy HVAC components such as systems and high-efficiency chillers, while coordinating with international frameworks like the International Green Construction Code (IgCC), which explicitly aligns with for adoption in jurisdictions seeking sustainable building practices. On a societal level, ASHRAE's work contributes to reduced and from the building sector, which accounts for a substantial portion of global use. By promoting standards like 90.1 in building codes, ASHRAE facilitates widespread adoption that lowers operational costs for building owners and occupants, indirectly supporting economic resilience through decreased reliance on fuels for heating, cooling, and . Additionally, initiatives such as the position document on building decarbonization advocate for whole-life-cycle strategies to minimize embodied and operational emissions, influencing and design toward net-zero goals without mandating unproven mandates. ASHRAE extends its reach into by addressing airborne disease transmission through standards like ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 241, which specifies minimum HVAC requirements to mitigate risks from pathogens such as , including enhanced filtration and airflow management in occupied spaces. This has informed retrofits and new constructions during and post-pandemic, improving in schools, hospitals, and offices, thereby reducing societal health burdens from respiratory illnesses. The society's 2025–2028 strategic plan further amplifies this influence by prioritizing resilient, low-emission buildings, ensuring ongoing technical guidance that balances efficiency with occupant well-being amid climate challenges.

Strategic Initiatives (2024–2028)

In July 2025, ASHRAE released its 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, outlining goals to position the society as a global leader in advancing solutions for indoor environmental quality (IEQ), decarbonization, and resilience in the built environment. The plan's vision emphasizes creating "a healthy and sustainable built environment for all," building on ASHRAE's mission to advance the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and related fields. The plan structures its objectives around three primary pillars: global leadership, impact-focused engagement, and accessibility. Under global leadership, ASHRAE aims to develop and promote widely adopted standards for IEQ, decarbonization, and building resilience, while forming alliances and diverse working groups to foster international and create resources aligned with member and industry needs. Impact-focused engagement seeks to tailor resources and guidance for members and stakeholders, empowering professionals through partnerships that amplify ASHRAE's influence and support workforce development in sustainable practices. initiatives target removing structural, content, and financial barriers to ASHRAE's knowledge, enhancing communication channels at chapter and regional levels, and improving delivery methods for broader reach. Key enablers include rigorous research, integration of (AI) for data collection and operational efficiency, and leveraging ASHRAE's global network. Strategic initiatives emphasize standards development, programs, digital transformation, and adoption of AI and to drive healthier, more resilient communities and an empowered . The plan incorporates organizational values such as collaboration, excellence, and integrity, with progress tracked through measurable outcomes and periodic reports.

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  135. https://www.energycodes.gov/sites/default/files/2021-07/Standard_90.1-2019_Final_Determination_TSD.pdf
  136. https://www.ashrae.org/file%2520library/about/position%2520documents/pd-on-building-decarbonization-english.pdf
  137. https://www.ashrae.org/about/news/2024/ashrae-takes-the-lead-in-providing-technical-resources-for-controlling-infectious-aerosols
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