ATLANTA – For the second year in a row, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers’ (ASHRAE’s) Research Promotion has raised over $2 million.

Contributions from individuals, ASHRAE chapters, and 20 company donors reached $2,038,528 for the 2008-09 society year. Last year, ASHRAE raised $2,081,420, marking the first time contributions to research had gone over the $2 million mark. The society matches these donated funds dollar-for-dollar, creating a $4 million pool to support research.

“It is especially heartening that given today’s economy, ASHRAE chapters and members as well as industry companies continue to see the value of supporting our research program,” said Gordon Holness, ASHRAE president. “This year marks the 90th anniversary of the ASHRAE research program, and these contributions signify the strength of our program in researching today to improve the industry of tomorrow.”

With more than 6,400 total donations for the year, nearly one-half came from individual ASHRAE member donations, with corporate donations comprising the remainder.

The money raised will fund research projects beginning in the 2009-10 fiscal year, such as Measuring, Modeling, Analysis and Reporting Protocols for Short-Term M&V of Whole Building Energy Performance, Development of a Reference Building Information Model (BIM) for Thermal Model Compliance Testing, and Establishing Benchmark Levels and Patterns of Commercial Building Hot Water Use. ASHRAE conducts about $8 million in research in any given year, with projects often spanning several years. Currently, the Research Promotion program is supporting 82 research projects and student grants-in-aid, valued at more than $11.2 million.

Individual chapters raise funds in a variety of ways, including golf tournaments, auctions, and educational seminars. ASHRAE’s Region VIII led the regions in total funds raised with some $350,000.

For more information, visit www.ashrae.org.

Publication date: 08/17/2009