About Us

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is a global society advancing human well-being through sustainable technology for the built environment. The Society and its members focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, refrigeration and sustainability within the industry. Through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education, ASHRAE shapes tomorrow’s built environment today. ASHRAE was formed as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers by the merger in 1959 of American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHAE) founded in 1894 and The American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE) founded in 1904.

2025-2026 ASHRAE president's theme

Bill McQuade, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, is ASHRAE’s President for the 2025–26 term. He has served in numerous chapter, regional, and society-level leadership roles within ASHRAE and has been a strong advocate for advancing building performance and sustainability throughout his career.

His theme for the 2025–26 ASHRAE Society Year is “Healthy Buildings: Designing for Life”, which emphasizes the critical role indoor environmental quality (IEQ) plays in supporting human health, well-being, and sustainability.

“Our built environment shapes every aspect of our lives. As HVAC&R professionals, we have a responsibility to lead the transformation toward healthier, more sustainable buildings. By focusing on better air quality, lighting, acoustics, water, and thermal comfort, we can design spaces that actively support where people live, work, learn, and heal.”

For more information on President McQuade’s theme for 2025–2026, visit: https://www.ashrae.org/about/leadership/ashrae-president

MISSION

To serve humanity by advancing the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and their allied fields.

vision

A healthy and sustainable built environment for all. 

Core values

Excellence 
ASHRAE education, technical information and all other activities and products will always reflect the best practices that lead our industry. We strive for continuous improvement and innovation in all our practices and products.

Commitment 
ASHRAE and its members are passionate about serving the built environment, creating value, and recognizing the accomplishments of others.

Integrity
ASHRAE is committed to the highest ethical standards. We work transparently, observing essential requirements for due process and peer reviews to assure our members and stakeholders that we do the right things the right way.

Collaboration
ASHRAE seeks and embraces collaborative efforts with organizations, agencies, and individuals sharing our commitment to sustainable built environments.

Volunteerism 
Members lead ASHRAE at every level, serving ASHRAE and helping ASHRAE serve society.

Diversity
ASHRAE is committed to providing a welcoming environment. Our culture is one of inclusiveness, acknowledging the inherent value and dignity of each individual.

cHAPTER History

The Connecticut Chapter is one of ASHRAE’s oldest chapters, dating back to June, 1940, when it was originally chartered as a chapter of the ASHVE. In 1959, the Connecticut Chapter of ASHVE merged with the Connecticut Valley Chapter of ASRE to become the Connecticut Chapter of ASHRAE. In 1961, the Southern Connecticut Chapter of ASHRAE also became part of the Connecticut Chapter. In 1989, a portion of the Western Massachusetts Chapter was added to the Connecticut Chapter. Today, the Chapter geographically serves the State of Connecticut (except Fairfield County) plus three counties in Massachusetts (Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin). The Chapter has grown to be one of ASHRAE's largest with over 500 Society members.

Rich in the traditions of participation, leadership, and contribution, the Connecticut Chapter is proud of its many members who have made significant contributions to the Society and the state of the art in our industry. The Connecticut Chapter is the one of the largest out of 15 chapters in ASHRAE’s Region I. Region I is ASHRAE’s largest region, comprising nearly eleven percent of ASHRAE’s world wide membership.

CT ASHRAE would like to share the following news from Society

NEW! 25% Application Discount for ASHRAE Certifications

Apply Feb. 1 – March 31

Exciting news! Beginning Feb. 1 through March 31, applicants may use the discount code NEWYEAR2025 to receive a 25% discount on application for any of ASHRAE’s seven (7) building design or building performance certifications.

 Here’s how the discount works:

1. Apply anytime Feb. 1 – March 31 using the Discount Code: NEWYEAR2025
2. Take your certification exam at any of ASHRAE’s new 1,000+ test center locations worldwide

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Society Scholarships Available!

The ASHRAE Society Scholarship deadline is coming up on May 1st! High School Senior and College Freshman have a chance to receive up to $5,000 in scholarships for the 2025-2026 school year. Please invite any full-time student in an engineering program to apply for this prestigious scholarship!

Visit Scholarship Program for a full list of eligibility criteria and application requirements. Reach out to Savanna Smith ([email protected]) with any questions.

No Membership Dues Increase for the 2025-26 Society Year

The ASHRAE Board voted to keep the dues rate flat for the upcoming Society Year to balance increased costs in other areas of our members’ lives. Please spread the word to your members and remind them to select an annual benefit while renewing their membership.

2025–2028 Strategic Plan Preview

A preview of the 2025–2028 Strategic Plan is available for committees, councils and chapters to reference while planning for the upcoming 2025–2026 Society year. The formal implementation of the 2025–2028 Strategic Plan will occur in July 2025. See the plan.

Application Guide for Large Thermal Energy Storage

Thermal energy storage (TES) allows the use of intermittently generated energy (energy available only during certain periods, such as that from wind or solar), or energy waste streams from industrial processes, and can be designed to charge, store, and discharge energy daily, weekly, or seasonally.

Application Guide for Large Thermal Energy Storage examines the analysis of large thermal energy storage conducted by an international team led by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL), and sponsored by the office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Energy and Sustainability.

The analysis of 10 cold/moderate climate zones and 8 hot climate zones was conducted to determine under which circumstances large-scale TES improves energy supply systems’ resilience, reduces CO2 emissions, and is cost-effective in different climates, energy prices, and economic incentives.

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