In this issue
Sponsors
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September 2025 
The President's Message
President's Message
Brittany Conry
Welcome to the 2025-2026 ASHRAE Season!
Brittany is a Project Manager specializing in mechanical, plumbing and fire protection design at Consulting Engineering Services. She is adept at code interpretation, modeling, and commercial mechanical design. Energetic, ambitious, and outgoing, Brittany is committed to sharing her knowledge with the next generation of engineers. As Student Activities chair from 2021-2023 for ASHRAE and past Student Activities chair for NEHES, Brittany has been the point person in multiple mentoring roles. In 2022-2023 Brittany helped raise money for the Connecticut Chapter through her sponsorship role and in 2023-2024 organized the programing for the monthly technical meetings with the help of the Connecticut ASHRAE board. Brittany is ready to start her role as Connecticut ASHRAE President for the 2024-2025 season.
A message from the Connecticut ASHRAE President:
I am excited to start my role as the Connecticut ASHRAE President. Over the past few months the Board of Directors has been working hard to plan an exciting and fresh ASHRAE year. I have three goals this year as ASHRAE president. First, I would like to celebrate the wonderful members we have and thank them for their contribution to ASHRAE over the years through member spotlights and a new Connecticut ASHRAE award at the end of the year. Second, working with our reception chair and CTTC we are moving the meetings to different locations across the state to reach more members and encourage new membership. With this our Membership Promotion Chair and YEA chair are working diligently to plan fun networking events to get more folks involved. Lastly, I am looking for help to fill out our chapters empty committee chairs. What makes our chapter great is the involvement of our membership and the more members we have volunteering time with committees, the more we can offer to the membership as a whole. Please reach out to any board member to volunteer. I am looking forward to another great year with everyone in the CT ASHRAE community!
Committee’s looking for help include:
Student Activities Chair
Auditing
Awards Committee
Historian
Student Activities
Nominating
Brittany Conry
CT ASHRAE Chapter President, 2025-2026
Meet the Team
CT ASHRAE 2024-2025
Officers and Board of Governors
Past President: Eli Writes
Click to Email
President: Brittany Lydon
Click to Email
President-Elect: Brian Messerschmidt
Click to Email
Treasurer: Hank Cullinane
Click to Email
Vice President: Ryan Martin
Secretary - Emily Thomas
Board of Governor: Kevin Wixom
Board of Governor: Erik Schubert
Board of Governor: Timothy A McNeill
Board of Governor: Carl T Pappalardo
Board of Governor: Kevin Bartlett
Newsletter Sponsors
If you'd like your personal or business card to appear here, please contact the Sponsorship Committee today! Click Here to see the sponsorship opportunities!
Meeting Announcement
Meeting/Event Information
September 2025 Chapter Meeting
September 11, 2025
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Add to Calendar
Terrazza Restaraunt at Quarry Ridge Golf Course
9 Rose Hill Rd
Portland, CT 06480
Venue Details and Directions
Directions
SEPTEMBER 2025 DINNER MEETING
How Passive Building Techniques Impact HVAC Systems & The Designer
&
RESEARCH PROMOTION FUNDRAISER
50/50 Raffle to Raise Money for ASHRAE Research Promotion
We will be having a 50/50 Raffle during this month's meeting to raise money for ASHRAE Research promotion. Tickets will be sold at the meeting, cash only, for $5 each or $20 for 5 tickets. Winner will be chosen after dinner. We will also have tickets for the gift basket raffles. Each basket will have a bag in front of it for you to drop your tickets in. Tickets will be sold at the meeting, cash only, for $10 each or $30 for 5 tickets.
Meeting Sponsors:
Raffle Sponsor: Mitsubishi Electric
Bar Sponsor: 2 Available - "Buy a Round for everyone!"
Vendor Tables: 3 Available
Order of Events:
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM - Registration, Networking & Cocktail Hour
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM - Dinner & Podium
7:30 PM to 8:30 PM - Dinner Session
Dinner Presentation:
How Passive Building Techniques Impact HVAC Systems & The Designer
Dinner Session Duration: 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Dinner Presentation Description:
This presentation offers a detailed technical exploration of how Passive House design principles alter the fundamental approach to HVAC system selection and design. James Petersen, P.E. demonstrates how building geometry, enclosure performance, and ventilation strategy directly influence thermal loads, enabling the use of smaller, more efficient HVAC systems.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand how enclosure-driven design strategies reduce heating and cooling loads
- Learn how to align HVAC system selection with Passive House performance targets
- Explore the role of integrative design and simplified controls in system optimization
- Review case studies highlighting the risks of poor coordination and the benefits of enclosure-informed HVAC engineering
Dinner Session Speaker: James Petersen, PE
Speaker Bio:
James Petersen, PE, Owner/Principal of Petersen Engineering, a 25-person MEP/FP firm with offices in Boston and Portsmouth, NH, has four decades’ experience engineering integrated building mechanical systems. His career started with a focus on HVAC and plumbing engineering, and has since expanded to encompass building science, building enclosures, a holistic design approach, and integrative design processes.
James is a leader in the high-performance building industry, dedicated to a whole-building approach that optimizes building systems with other building characteristics including building geometry and enclosure performance. His accomplishments include Principal-in-charge of 65 large Passive House projects, including more than 4000 multi-family living units.
James is currently the president of Passive House Mass, an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting, advocating for, and educating about building designs that incorporate passive design and construction techniques. He also serves on the HCA Portsmouth Hospital Board of Directors advocating high quality community health care. James’ other passions include chainsaw skills and moral philosophy.
Dinner Menu:
Dinner will be buffet style and includes:
Homemade rolls, Garlic bread, coffee & tea
Salad
Entrees: Baked Ziti, Chicken Picatta & Eggplant Rollatini w/ sides
Please register by 5pm on 9/10/25. There will be no onsite registration for this meeting.
Register Now
Calendar of Events
Mark your calendar for the 2025 year!
| DATE | TOPIC(S) |
| September 4th, 2025 | YEA Yardgoats Event |
| September 11th, 2025 |
Dinner Meeting How Passive Building Techniques Impact HVAC Systems & The Designer |
| May 16, 2025 | Golf Outing |
| October 9th, 2025 |
Dinner Meeting Preferred Utilities Manufacturing Factory Tour |
Research Promotion
Research Promotion
CT ASHRAE Vendor Directory Campaign with RepGuide
We are excited to announce that our 2024-2025 Product Directory is now available to our CT ASHRAE Chapter Members!
Available on a web-based portal and as a PDF Download, this Directory features many of our local equipment representatives' and suppliers' line cards as well as a helpful product cross-referencing index. Thank you to all who contributed to our 1st collaboration with RepGuide in creating this directory. Our hope is that we will continue to grow this directory to encompass more and more of our local equipment representatives and products each year in support of our Chapter's Research Promotion Campaign.
You can access the Online and PDF versions of the 2024-2025 Product Directory by logging in to the Member Area of our chapter website: https://ctashrae.org/members.php and selecting NEW! 2024 Product Directory from the menu on the left-hand side of the webpage.
Kevin Wixom
2024-25 CT ASHRAE Research Promotion Chair
The RP Campaign is an annual fundraising campaign benefitting the funding of numerous ASHRAE programs:
- ASHRAE Research
- Scholarships for Undergraduate Students
- ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI) Development of Course & Materials
- Graduate Research Projects
- Young Engineers in ASHRAE (YEA) Leadership Training
Please vist https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/research/ashrae-rp for more information on Research Promotion.
Donation Levels
- Recognition at all Chapter meetings
- Organization name on www.ctashrae.org home page
- Organization name on www.ctashrae.org Research Promotion page
- Recognition in monthly newsletter
- Recognition at all Chapter meetings
- Organization name on www.ctashrae.org home page
- Organization name on www.ctashrae.org Research Promotion page
- Recognition in monthly newsletter
- Organization name on www.ctashrae.org Research Promotion page
- Recognition in monthly newsletter
Donate to
ASHRAE Research
ASHRAE Research Promotion contributions made through the ASHRAE HQ website are fast, secure, and easy. CLICK below to donate
CT ASHRAE thanks the following 2024-2025 Research Promotion Contributors:
Platinum Level Donors: Min. $2,000
EMCOR Services New England Mechanical
Gold Level Donors: Min. $1,000
ABS Building Systems, Inc.
Harry Grodsky & Company Incorporated
EDOS Manufacturers Reps
Belimo
Emerson Swan
Silver Level Donors: Min. $500
Flow Tech, Inc.
Consulting Engineering Services, Inc.
Mitsubishi Electric Trane
Melia Associates
CTC Building Solutions
Tighe & Bond
Swan Associates Incorporated
Macri Associates
van Zelm Engineers
Organization Donors
| F+F Mechanical Enterprise, Inc. |
| Environmental Systems Corp. |
| Controlled Air Inc. |
| W W Rothmann Co. Inc. |
Individual Donors
| Mr. Joseph L Furman |
| Mr. Kevin Wixom |
| Miss Ashley Keller |
| Mr. Daniel A Cowan, II |
| Mr. Ryan Martin |
| Mr. Ben Colter |
| Mr. Brian Messerschmidt |
| Mr. Eric Fontaine |
| Mr. Hank Cullinane |
| Mr. Robert Andel |
| Miss Brittany Lydon |
| Mr. Erik Schubert |
| Mr. Craig Marshall |
| Mr. Thomas Buckley |
| Mr. Allan Brown |
| Mr. Ronald Beliveau |
| Mr. Matthew Mullen |
| Mr. Jeremy Rapoza |
| Mr. Craig Parker |
| Mr. Peter Anderson |
| Mr. Daniel Caporizzo |
THANK YOU FOR CONTRIBUTING TO OUR RP GOAL!
You can access the Online and PDF versions of the 2024 Product Directory by logging in to the Member Area of our chapter website: https://ctashrae.org/members.php and selecting NEW! 2024 Product Directory from the menu on the left-hand side of the webpage.
Membership News
Membership News
We would like to give a big shout out to all of our new members that have recently joined CT AHSREA!
| Abigail | Abram | |
| Olivia | Marsh | |
| Nathan | Melia | |
| Joseph | Camilleri | |
| Thomas | Colletti | Jr |
| Antonio | Rossini | II |
| Stacey | Green | |
| Chase | Russell | |
| Dennis | Stephenson | |
| Lawrence | Lambert | |
| John | Sabovik | |
| Margaret | Lagana | |
| Victoria | Mulligan | |
| Bryan | McQuary | |
| Aaron | McDonald | |
| Tyler | Gray | |
| Kevin | Baillargeon | |
| Samuel | Baluzy | |
| Aritra | Sur | |
| John | Mowad | |
| John | Tesh | |
| Harry | Lewis | |
| Jonathan | Van Dine | |
| david | Gass | |
| RJ | Albanese | |
| Justin | Genga | |
| Martin | Schiraldi | Jr |
Membership Special Events!
Membership Referral Program
The membership referral program is still around! If you refer a member and they pay the CT chapter dues, both you and the new member will be given a $20 Visa gift card.
Click Here to learn more about the benefits of ASHRAE Membership!
Young Engineers in ASHRAE
YEA
Please see the comment below from our own Josh Salem about his experice with the Chapter Leadership Adademy
On the weekend of January 10, 2025, I had the honor of being nominated to travel down to ASHRAE HQ for the 2025 Chapter Leadership Academy (CLA).
At the CLA, ASHRAE leadership guided the attendees (from chapters all over the world) through a crash course on the organization of ASHRAE, answers to FAQ, familiarize newer involved members with the steps and effort required to participate in roles above the chapter level, and many more topics. Along with that, the CLA allowed all attendees to create meaningful relationships with members from all over the world.
My attendance at this training session gave me the education necessary to be able to understand the opportunities I can provide to our chapter’s YEA members, as well as who to talk to within the entire ASHRAE organization with questions regarding my current position as YEA chair.
Overall, my attendance at the Chapter Leadership Academy was incredibly beneficial and I would highly recommend it to any chapter members who are interested in becoming more involved in our local chapter, learning more about how to operate within their current chair position, participating in regional committees, or participating in higher levels of ASHRAE all the way up to society.
Event Schedule
Please keep an eye out for email communications and postings in our CT ASHRAE newsletters for more information regarding CT ASHRAE YEA EVENTS in the near future! If you have any ideas for an engaging YEA event, never hesitate to send recommendations to Josh Salem and Chris Gallagher at [email protected]
Sponsorship OportunitIES
CT ASHRAE is capable of sponsoring YEA members' associated fees for attending ASHRAE National Conferences. Please reach out to Josh Salem and Chris Gallagher at [email protected] with any questions regarding this.
The future of our industry relies on young engineers to drive innovation and improve efficiency. WE are the engineers that are going to usher the industry into a new era of sustainability.
education OportunitIES
CT ASHRAE is capable of supplying members with books necessary to prepare for their FE exams. Please reach out to Josh Salem and Chris Gallagher at [email protected] with any questions regarding this.
CONNECTION NEWSLETTER
The YEA Connection newsletter is a member benefit received by all YEA members. If you are not receiving the newsletter, please make sure [email protected] is added to your safe list.
Sign Up for the YEA Newsletter: https://ashrae.realmagnet.land/yea-newsletter-signup
Interested in being on the YEA committee? Contact Josh Salem and Chris Gallagher at [email protected]
Student Activities
Student Activities
Welcome Student Members!
The student activities committee aims to provide opportunities for students through scholarships, leadership programs, design competitions, and networking events. Be sure to follow our LinkedIn page below to stay updated on upcoming events and announcements. All members are welcome to join the ASHRAE CT Chapter meeting on the 2nd Thursday of every month.
You can also join ASHRAE's Instagram and Facebook page below to connect with students from other branches!
CT CHAPTER Scholarship
The CT ASHRAE scholarship recipients for 2025 have already been selected. Check back at the start of next year to apply for the 2026 scholarship!
Congratulations to the 2025 CT ASHRAE Scholarship Winners!
Victoria Mulligan
Ryan Cappella
John Sabovik
Margaret Lagana
ASHRAE Scholarships
The ASHRAE Scholarship Program is designed to encourage and assist in the education of men and women pursuing a career in the field of heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) through its granting of scholarships. The program also serves the public interest by aiding in the education of men and women to become qualified to practice within the HVAC&R field. College Students and High School Seniors enrolled in a college, university, or technical institute pursuing a degree relating to the HVAC&R profession in Fall 2025 are eligible to apply next spring.
Deadlines: Dec 1 & May 1
Conferences
Winter Conference 2025: Orlando FL, February 8th – 25th
Annual Conference 2025: Phoenix, AZ, June 21st – 25th
CT ASHRAE provides a student member the opportunity to attend the Winter Conference each year. The student program is a great place to network with other students across the country, get involved in ASHRAE, and further HVAC knowledge. Student travel grants to cover the cost of attending can be found on ASHRAE's Scholarships and Grants Page.
ASHRAE INTERNSHIP WEBPAGE
Visit the Job Board to post your resume and search for internships and job postings. For example, I tried searching for All (Job Type) Internship (Job Function) in Massachusetts and found postings for a Mechanical Engineer at a Boston Area Consulting Firm, an Electrical Engineering Intern at an Automation Solutions Provider, and so on.
The monthly chapter meetings are also a great opportunity to land an undergraduate internship or career upon graduation. The dinner meetings give you a chance to attend a technical session that introduces you to the many facets of HVAC&R professions, as well as network with local professionals. Remember - It's all about who you know and who knows you.
If you post your resume to the Internship Webpage, or are placed in an internship program by a member of our CT Chapter please let us know at [email protected].
Competitions
Competitions are a great way for students to get involved and start applying problem solving skills learned in school to real life applications. Several competitions offer cash prizes as well as sponsorship to attend the ASHRAE Winter Conference. CT ASHRAE is here to support and mentor any student interested in competing. Full list of competitions.
Entry Deadline: May 4, 2025
2025 Setty Family Foundation Applied Engineering Challenge
Entry Deadline: May 4, 2025
The Smart Start Program
Simply put, it's the best way for ASHRAE student members to receive the many benefits of Associate grade membership after finishing college. SmartStart is a 3-year program that allows Student members to transfer to Associate grade membership at a rate that is recent-graduate friendly. The cost of an Associate Level Membership is $285 annually. With the SmartStart program you pay less than the cost of a yearly membership for 3 years of membership.
First Year: $30
Second Year: $105
Third Year: $145
3-Year Membership Total: $280
*Please note that the SmartStart program is only for current ASHRAE Student members who have been a Student member for at least one year and does not account for Annual Local Chapter Dues.
Sign up for the SmartStart Program
Contact [email protected] for more information.
Society News
Society News
CT ASHRAE would like to share the following news from Society
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.
Refrigeration
Refrigeration News
Sean McKenna, Refrigeration Chair
We are looking to increase the exposure that refrigeration gets at the CT level, and are looking for help. If you know of any contacts that could help us find possible presenters for refrigeration themed monthly meetings or tours, or if you have any other suggestions for the refrigeration committee, let us know by e-mail: [email protected]
Technology Transfer
ASHRAE certification programs were founded to meet industry need and today provide value to 1,000s of built-environment professionals, employers and building owners.
For the past 100+ years ASHRAE has worked hard to earn and maintain a worldwide reputation for being the leader in HVAC&R design. ASHRAE certification programs serve to reinforce that reputation.
Interested in an ASHRAE Certification? Click here for more information
ASHRAE’s mission is to serve humanity by advancing the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and their allied fields. ASHRAE’s vision is a healthy and sustainable built environment for all.
If you are seeking a job in the engineering field or searching for the most qualified engineers, the ASHRAE job board offers the most qualified opportunities and candidates. Engineers can set up a personal account for job searches, manage resumes and create alerts for new job postings. Employers can set up a corporate account to post new jobs, review resumes and manage recruiting.
Grassroots
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DOE Issues Model Energy Code Determinations for Residential and Commercial Buildings
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued its final determination that the updated model building energy codes, the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019, will increase energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings. DOE analysis estimates the following national average savings for buildings meeting the updated code (as compared to the previous respective editions).
Each State has until July 28, 2023 to certify their state building codes meet the updated editions of the IECC and Standard 90.1. Supporting technical analysis, as well as links to the Federal docket and public comments received, are available here.
Connecticut is in the process of adopting the 2021 IECC. Expectations are that it will be approved by October with an implementation date of Jan 1, 2022
DOE Intends to Issue a Funding Opportunity that Accelerates the Renovation of Buildings with Energy-Efficient Innovations
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) have announced they intend to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) called "Advanced Building Construction (ABC) – 2021." ABC – 2021 will fund research intended to accelerate the renovation and construction of affordable, appealing, and energy-efficient buildings, contributing to a carbon-neutral building economy in America by 2050. Read more about this Notice of Intent here.
DOE Releases Spawn of EnergyPlus Building Energy and Controls Modeling Software
DOE Updates State and Local Fact Sheets on ASHRAE 90.1 and IECC
The U.S. Department of Energy has assessed recent editions of ASHRAE 90.1 and the IECC to quantify the associated energy & cost savings. These analyses take into account varying state-level conditions, such as incremental costs, utility rates, climatic conditions and construction trends. The fact sheets for each U.S. state, as well as certain major metropolitan areas, show the specific energy and cost savings associated with adopting the 2021 IECC and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019. The fact sheets provide an overview of the expected savings to homeowners and building owners. Links to these fact sheets can be found on the DOE website here.
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For additional information on government affairs issues, please contact [email protected].
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GAC Committee
Become a Sponsor
2024-2025 Sponsorship OPPORTUNITies
Thank you for visiting the CT ASHRAE Sponsorship page.
By becoming a 2024-2025 sponsor, your firm will be exposed to decision-makers from major engineering, design, construction and contracting firms at programs and social events throughout the year. Our membership includes 450+ members made up of owners, principals, senior associates, business developers and more!
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor CLICK THE LINK BELOW to access our sponsorship catalog(s).
Sponsorship Catalog
Contact Brian Messerschmidt with the sponsorship committee with any questions, concerns or to discuss a customized opportunity.
Classifieds
Are you interested in posting a classified ad on the CT ASHRAE website and through our monthly newsletter? Please click HERE to fill out the submission form. We will contact you upon receipt of the form to implement the ad. The cost is $100 per month.
Please email us at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
CLASSIFIEDS
Job Posting:
- Eversource; Supervisor, Energy Efficiency Implementation (Hybrid)
Please reach out to Siobhan Hickey ([email protected])
ASHRAE Social Media
Follow ASHRAE on Social Media
Check out the NEW CT ASHRAE page on Linkedin!
LinkedIn: CT ASHRAE
Want to stay up-to-date with all the latest and greatest news to hit the HVAC&R industry? Start following ASHRAE National on one of their many social media channels!
Linkedin: ASHRAE
Facebook: ASHRAE
Twitter: @ASHRAENews
YouTube: ASHRAEvideo
This home page is maintained by the Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. P.O. Box 143 Cromwell, CT 06416. ASHRAE chapters may not act for the Society and the information presented here has not had Society review. To learn more about ASHRAE activities on an international level, contact the ASHRAE home page at http://www.ashrae.org
