ASHRAE and the Indoor Air Quality Association have agreed to merge the HVAC market associations.

The IAQA will become part of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers while maintaining its own board and autonomy with the society, officials said. The IAQA’s headquarters will move from Maryland to Atlanta, where ASHRAE is based.

The agreement was reached during the HVAC construction society’s annual meeting in Seattle.

“This merger is beneficial to both ASHRAE and IAQA in that it strengthens the programs and services of both organizations,” said society President Tom Phoenix. “The work of IAQA complements the work of ASHRAE in its standards, research, publications and educational offerings. We now combine our resources to ensure the industry receives the best indoor air quality technical guidance and educational programs possible, which means improved indoor air quality for the world around us.”

The agreement will have big benefits for IAQA members, said association President Kent Rawhouser.

“This merger allows IAQA to maintain its own brand while also providing its members with enhanced benefits and services,” Rawhouser said. “Our strong history of programs and products is expected to not only continue, but to grow as the merger allows us to take advantage of the resources and programs overseen by ASHRAE. Members of IAQA and ASHRAE will work collaboratively to strengthen indoor air quality programs for the industry, and most importantly, for the people who occupy homes and buildings around the world.”