The Mission
ASHRAE is a global professional society advancing human well-being through sustainable technology for the built environment. Founded in 1894, the society has grown to include over 50,000 members in more than 130 countries. ASHRAE serves as a central hub where engineers, architects, and designers collaborate to develop the world’s most recognized standards for HVAC systems, energy efficiency, refrigeration, and indoor air quality. By bridging the gap between scientific research and practical application, ASHRAE ensures that modern buildings are healthy, comfortable, and environmentally responsible.
Whether you are a consulting engineer designing complex mechanical systems for a hospital, a contractor ensuring a commercial project meets energy compliance, or a facilities manager optimizing thermal comfort, ASHRAE provides the essential technical foundation. Its standards and research are the global benchmarks for building performance, providing the tools necessary to reduce carbon footprints while maintaining the high standards of air quality and ventilation required in today’s urban environments.
ASHRAE develops the technical standards that serve as the fundamental rules for HVAC design and operation. These standards are not only industry best practices but are frequently adopted into state and local building codes, making them mandatory for construction. They also serve as the baseline for prestigious green building certifications, such as LEED, ensuring that high-performance buildings meet measurable energy and air quality goals.
Key publications include Standard 90.1, which sets the minimum energy efficiency requirements for commercial buildings, and Standard 62.1, the authority on ventilation for acceptable indoor air quality. Additionally, Standard 55 defines the specific environmental conditions required for human thermal comfort. These documents are living resources, periodically reviewed and updated by technical committees to incorporate the latest breakthroughs in filtration, controls, and renewable energy integration.
ASHRAE is a multifaceted organization that drives the HVAC industry through research, standard-setting, and advocacy. The society funds millions of dollars in research projects annually, focusing on critical topics like decarbonization, occupant health, and system resilience. This data-driven approach ensures that ASHRAE standards remain at the cutting edge of engineering science, helping the global community navigate the transition toward net-zero energy buildings and improved climate adaptability.
Beyond technical documentation, ASHRAE is a premier provider of professional education and certification. It administers specialized credentials in fields such as Healthcare Facility Design and High-Performance Building Design. The society also publishes the ASHRAE Handbook, a massive, four-volume technical reference updated annually that serves as the “bible” for HVAC engineers. Through the ASHRAE Foundation, the society also supports the next generation of engineers with scholarships and research grants.
ASHRAE reached its current form in 1959 through the merger of two historic organizations: the American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (founded 1894) and the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (founded 1904). This union created a single, powerful voice for the built environment, allowing the society to address the interconnected challenges of heating, cooling, and air quality under one technical roof.
Headquartered in a LEED Platinum-certified building in Georgia, ASHRAE practices the sustainability it preaches. Its influence spans the globe through a network of local chapters in over 130 countries. This international presence allows ASHRAE to tailor its standards to diverse climates while maintaining a unified global vision for energy efficiency. Today, as part of its Vision 2030 initiative, the society is leading the charge in global building decarbonization, providing the technical roadmap for a more resilient and sustainable future.
ASHRAE membership offers unparalleled access to the collective intelligence of the global HVAC community. Members receive the annual ASHRAE Handbook and significant discounts on standards, training, and certifications. This access is vital for engineers who need to stay current with the rapidly changing regulatory landscape and technological innovations in building automation and refrigerant management.
Membership also provides a gateway to local chapters, where professionals can participate in technical tours, attend educational seminars, and build career-defining relationships. By joining ASHRAE, practitioners contribute to the development of the standards that govern their work, ensuring that their field experience helps shape the future of building science.
ASHRAE is committed to lifelong learning, offering an extensive catalog of courses and seminars for every career stage. Its certification programs – such as the Building Energy Assessment Professional (BEAP) – are recognized worldwide by employers and government agencies as marks of technical excellence. In 2021 alone, professionals earned over 3,000 ASHRAE certifications, demonstrating the high demand for verified expertise in building performance.
The ASHRAE Learning Institute provides both in-person and digital training, making it easy for professionals to integrate new standards into their daily practice.
By supporting the ASHRAE Foundation, members also invest in the future of the profession, providing the scholarships and research assistance necessary to attract and train the next generation of engineers who will solve the world’s most pressing energy and environmental challenges.
About ASHRAE
What does ASHRAE stand for?
ASHRAE stands for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. It was formed in 1959 by the merger of two societies dating back to 1894 and 1904.
What is ASHRAE known for?
ASHRAE is primarily known for developing the global standards for energy efficiency (90.1), indoor air quality (62.1), and thermal comfort (55), as well as publishing the four-volume ASHRAE Handbook.
What is ASHRAE Standard 90.1?
Standard 90.1 is the benchmark for energy-efficient design in commercial buildings. It covers everything from the building envelope and lighting to HVAC and water heating systems, and is a key part of most building codes.
What is the difference between ASHRAE and ACCA?
ASHRAE is an engineering society focused on standards and research for large-scale and commercial systems. ACCA is a trade association for contractors, primarily focusing on the practical installation and maintenance of residential HVAC systems.
Is ASHRAE a government organization?
No. ASHRAE is an independent, nonprofit professional society. While governments around the world adopt its standards into their laws, ASHRAE itself is a private, member-led organization.
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