By Anne Fonda
ASHRAE is the acronym for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers. ASHRAE is an international society dedicated to “advancing human well-being through sustainable technology for the built environment.”
ASHRAE was formed in 1959 with the merger of the American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHAE) and the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE). They are a leading source of technical and educational information and professional development in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry worldwide.
ASHRAE has more than 50,000 members in 130 countries worldwide. ASHRAE membership is voluntary and requires dues payments.
The society and its members focus on energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and sustainability in the HVAC industry. ASHRAE uses research and data-driven science to develop and publish a set of ASHRAE standards and guidelines for HVAC professionals to follow in the design and installation of commercial and residential HVAC systems.
In addition, ASHRAE holds continuing education courses and provides a pathway to voluntary ASHRAE certification for HVAC industry employees.
When an HVAC professional earns ASHRAE certification, it means they have gone above and beyond to earn an industry credential demonstrating their expertise.
Professionals must pass one or more exams measuring comprehension in HVAC system design, energy efficiency concepts, codes and standards, equipment operation and maintenance, indoor environment controls, and more.
Certifications include:
For HVAC professionals, it can mean industry recognition, a higher pay scale, and more career options. For homeowners, seeing the ASHRAE logo on a company website or in an email signature can indicate the company has at least one person on staff who has gone above and beyond the required NATE certification.
The certification lasts 3 years. To renew certification, an HVAC professional must take a series of continuing education classes to demonstrate they have maintained their knowledge and skills and are knowledgeable about changes in the industry.
No, you can hire a residential HVAC company without ASHRAE certification. Certification is still rather rare because of the time and cost requirements, and is more common in commercial HVAC companies that design HVAC systems for healthcare facilities, data centers, office buildings, and other large projects. For homeowners, NATE certification is more important.
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Kimberly Sexton, Senior Systems Engineer
Connect with our Customer Care team about your products, warranties, and dealer concerns.
Available Monday – Friday from 7am to 5pm CST
A phone
Dealers can answer questions, help you find the right products for your home, and repair your system.