ASHRAE Insights

Region I

Bi-State Chapter hosted history night at its monthly meeting. A program on the history of controls was presented by Walter Greenwood, president, EMF. A tech session on the history of the chapter and history of companies in the area also was held. Robert Roston and John Fusco were the speakers…The Boston Chapter hosted a well attended meeting and listened to the words from President Terry Townsend. During his inspirational talk, Townsend focused on the ASHRAE promise: a sustainable future, highlighting ASHRAE’s efforts in sustainability in the building environment and what the ASHRAE members can do for the world. The chapter also handed out certificates to Daniel Miles 50 years, Parker Symmes 50 years, Mr. Thomas 50 years, William Chaisson 50 years and Patrick Halm Life Member. A special honor was given to Cheryl Rossini for all of her years of dedication and hard work… Central New York Chapter held a program on indoor air quality presented by David Belleville, northeast regional sales manager, Aircuity, Inc… Champlain Valley Chapter members toured IBM…Ray Sinclair gave a technical presentation at the New York Chapter March meeting. Sinclair’s topic was high performance ventilation and the role of computerized fluid dynamics modeling. The presentation highlighted current approaches to assessments of wind, sunlight, temperature and humidity and stack-effect leakage through facades… Northeast Chapter held research promotion night with a program on high performance HVAC designs beyond energy standards, presented by Distinguished Lecturer Julian de Bullet.

Region III

As a result of President Townsend’s promotion of sustainability and the recent introduction of ASHRAE GAME, the Roanoke Chapter offered discounts to members who utilized carpooling or alternative means of transportation to travel to and from chapter meetings. The incentive is a convenient way for members to support the Society’s promotion of sustainability.

Region IV

Gil Avery presented two technical programs at the Atlanta Chapter April meeting. In the first presentation on HVAC sacred cows and false illusions, Avery addressed several design concepts and devices that the industry has embraced for many years including the use of pressure independent VAV terminals, valves for variable flow systems, the application of averaging temperature sensors and other related concepts. The other discussion was on converting the central chilled water system at a U.S. Air Force base from constant flow to variable flow. David McKenney received the prestigious ASHRAE ALCO Award, presented by President Terry Townsend.

Region VI

Cedar Valley Chapter sponsored a tour of the new 210,000 sq. ft. facility at Clipper Windpower. Robert Loyd and Mike Cavanaugh guided the tour and provided updates on wind energy technology and turbine manufacturing… Illinois Chapter conducted two half-day seminars. The topics were intelligent buildings and integrated systems design. A dinner meeting and the annual excellence in engineering awards night was held following the seminars.

Region VIII

The Dallas Chapter welcomed John Cermak for a presentation on energy efficiency and sound of fans. Cermak focused on how the two areas intertwined. He also presented the status quo in fan design and the outlook for designing higher efficiency and quieter fans. Attendees earned 1 CEU credit. Professor Larry Degelman, Texas A&M University, provided a 3 hour training session on the energy cost budget method of evaluating the expected performance of a building to meet the requirements of the energy code.

Region X

The April meeting of the Northern Nevada Chapter featured a program on inline pump applications presented by Alfred Dubier, vice president of sales, Armstrong Pumps.

Region XI

Distinguished Lecturer E. Mitchell Swann was the guest speaker at the Mid-Columbia Chapter monthly meeting. The subject of Swann’s presentation was design build for green buildings: integrated delivery of any integrated idea. Don Williams, Proctor Sales Inc., gave a talk on boiler designs, their efficiencies and the latest advances in burner technologies… Puget Sound Chapter members voted on new chapter officers and governors. In observance of the chapter’s refrigeration night, Dave Gardner, Process Engineering, Inc. discussed refrigerant selection in today’s market. He looked at the issues of refrigerant phase-out, replacement, mechanical room design and performance. Gardner also discussed market directions—where manufacturers are driving the industry. A dinner program on variable flow chiller plant design was presented by Distinguished Lecturer Julian de Bullet, McQuay International.