ASHRAE Guideline 44 and Standard 241

Wildfire smoke and infectious aerosols continue to present unique challenges for building design, operation, and occupant well-being. As expectations around indoor air quality evolve, engineers and technical professionals need to understand how emerging guidance and standards can be applied in practice.

This presentation highlights key considerations from ASHRAE Guideline 44, which addresses wildfire smoke and its impact on indoor environments, and ASHRAE Standard 241, which addresses control of infectious aerosols. Together, these publications provide an important framework for evaluating ventilation, air cleaning, building readiness, and response strategies under a range of conditions.

If time permits, the session will also include a brief update on ASHRAE Standard 62.1, with emphasis on its continued relevance to ventilation and indoor air quality.

Speaker Bio

Today, Eric specializes in acoustics, airside systems, indoor agriculture, and indoor air quality. He is actively involved with ASHRAE as a member of the Standard 62.1 Project Committee and the Guideline 44 Project Committee, chair of the Plant and Animal Environment Technical Committee, and a member of the Sound and Vibration Technical Committee. He is also a recipient of the ASHRAE Distinguished Service Award and the Young Engineers in ASHRAE Award of Individual Excellence.

Event Details

• Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026

• Time: 12:00 PM–1:00 PM

• Location: Building 13 GTP Theatre

• PDH Credit: 1 hour

• Lunch: Lunch is provided thanks to our sponsors: Trane Technologies’ LINC

• Who Should Attend: This session is intended for technical audiences, including:

  • Engineers

  • HVAC and IAQ specialists

  • Building systems professionals

  • Applications, sales, and technical support teams

  • Anyone interested in current ASHRAE guidance related to indoor air quality

Please register by Friday, October 23rd.

Headcount needed for lunch.

Step back in time and explore the remarkable innovation of the historic Hixon House. This special guided tour offers a fascinating look inside one of La Crosse’s architectural treasures, highlighting features that were considered state of the art at the time of their installation. Visitors will learn about the home’s boiler heating system, separate hot water service for the bathroom and kitchen, servant call annunciator, whole house vacuum, built in ice cooler for food preservation, and the extensive basement piping that reflects the home’s many expansions over the years. This is a unique opportunity to experience local history, early household technology, and thoughtful design all in one visit.

Registration deadline:

Thursday, September 17, 2026

What: Historic Hixon House Tour‍ ‍

When: Thursday, September 24th from 4:30-6:30

Where: Hixon House 429 7th Street South

La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601

Who: All Members and Non-members welcome!

Cost: $7 per person

‍ ‍

‍ ‍

Join us for a YEA (Young Engineers in ASHRAE) Lunch & Learn and take part in a fun, Jeopardy-style game, enjoy a Jimmy Johns lunch sponsored Trane Technologies ACC Materials and Chemistry Team, connect with fellow ASHRAE and YEA Members, and provide input on what you want to do this year as YEA members! It's a great opportunity to learn, network, and spend your lunch hour in an engaging and relaxed setting!

Please sign up by Friday, September 11th so we can get an accurate headcount for lunch!

What: YEA Lunch-and-Learn with Jeopardy

When: Monday, September 14th from 12-1

Where: Reuben Trane Conference Room - Building 12

Who: This event is geared for YEA members, but feel free to bring anyone interested in learning more about ASHRAE and YEA

Cost:   No cost - The lunch is sponsored!  

‍ ‍

‍ ‍

YEA (Young Engineers in ASHRAE) welcomes you to join the La Crosse Area Chapter of ASHRAE for our annual ASHRAE Loggers baseball game on July 28th at 6:35pm at Copeland Park!

Order tickets via the ASHRAE La Crosse website by Monday, July 13th.

Tickets include a party deck seat, and concessions: ballpark classics, sides and unlimited NA beverages, and 3 beers per adult ages 21+!

Come support your La Crosse Loggers as they face the Mankato MoonDogs and spend an evening at the ballpark with fellow ASHRAE members!

Hope to see you there!

• What: Mankato MoonDogs vs. La Crosse Loggers

• When: Tuesday, July 28 6:35 PM (Gates Open at 5:30 PM)

• Where: First American Rooftop Party Deck

Loggers Field

400 Clinton Street

La Crosse, WI 54603 (map)

• Why: Great evening at the ballpark with food and fun!

• Who: You and your family - all are welcome!

• Cost:

ASHRAE Member + Family Pricing:

$19.00 for Adults

$5.00 for Youth (ages 12 and under)

Non-ASHRAE Member + Family Pricing:

$24.00 for Adults

$10.00 for Youth (ages 12 and under)

Tickets can be picked up at "Will call" prior to the game starting

‍ ‍

Join us for a technical session on Cold Climate Heat Pump Performance. Steve Kujak will present the latest data from the previous heating season and share key insights and lessons learned.

Date and Time: Tuesday, May  26th – 12:00 – 01:00 PM

Location: 2313 20th St, La Crosse, WI 54601 – Trane Building 11 - Lab Classroom

La Crosse Area Chapter of ASHRAE Anniversary Celebration

Let’s celebrate how far we’ve come! Since our chapter was founded in 1972, our members have built a strong community of professionals, innovators, and friends. We hope you’ll join us for a relaxed after-work gathering to mark this milestone together.

We look forward to celebrating with you and honoring more than five decades of chapter history.

Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Location: La Crosse Distillery Co.
Cost: $10 (includes food and 1 drink)

Calendar Invite

Bring a non-member and use code BRINGAGUEST to get BOGO on your registration.

Please register by April 1st

Join the ASHRAE La Crosse Area Chapter YEA Committee for the YEA Connect & Network Lunch on Thursday, March 19. This event offers early career professionals an opportunity to expand their network, exchange ideas, and build meaningful industry connections in a structured and professional environment.

 Whether you are new to ASHRAE, early in your career, or looking to broaden your peer network within the HVAC and building systems community, this session provides a valuable platform for collaboration and conversation over lunch.  EVERYONE is welcome to attend, but please register in advance so we have a headcount for lunch!

What to Expect
• A professional, early career focused environment
• A brief open networking session at the end
• Opportunities to meet peers across companies, disciplines, and experience levels.

Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Location: Trane Technologies Building 12
Reuben Trane Conference Room

2313 20th Street South
La Crosse, WI 54601

Cost: Free

Register:
ALL ARE WELCOME!
But please register by March 16,2026 for catering purposes
Food & Beverage: Light snacks and sandwiches provided

Join us for an overview of recent ASHRAE activities and initiatives. This session will share key insights, opportunities for emerging professionals, and ways to get involved at both local and broader organizational levels. We will also highlight leadership‑focused programs and provide general guidance on ASHRAE’s structure, professional development pathways, and networking opportunities.

Event Details
• Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
• Time: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
• Location: Trane Technologies Building 13 GTP Theatre (1700 Horton St, La Crosse, WI 54601)
Hybrid option available. Meeting link Here
• Cost: Free, but registration is requested.

What to Expect
• Highlights from the 2026 ASHRAE Winter Conference
• Insights into ASHRAE organizational structure
• Networking and professional development guidance

Registration
• Attendance is free, but please register in advance.

Join us for the first Chapter meeting of 2026.  Rick Heiden, HVAC Systems Development Engineer from Trane along with Emily Toto, Senior Manager, Codes and Standards at ASHRAE will discuss how standards make their way into building codes.  

ASHRAE Standards influence model building codes but how does that happen?  There are so many ASHRAE Standards, which ones make their way into codes and how does that happen?  And ASHRAE Technical Committees are cognizant for ASHRAE Standards Committees and what does that mean?  And what are ASHRAE Technical Committees anyway and how do I learn more about them?  This session will provide answers to those questions as well as explain avenues for engagement. 

Rick Heiden, Trane, HVAC Systems Development Engineer, ASHRAE SSPC 90.1, TC 8.2, TC 8.6, past Standards Committee Chair

Emily Toto, ASHRAE, Senior Manager, Codes and Standards

Registration is Free, please register below.

Get ready to celebrate the season and boost your HVAC know-how!

Join us for an exclusive presentation on the game-changing Storage Source Heat Pump application, featuring real operational data from the past few months and valuable lessons learned to drive your projects forward.

But that’s not all—we’re turning up the holiday spirit with an ugly sweater theme! Rock your most festive knit, connect with colleagues, and join the fun. Plus, we’ll have delicious cookies to sweeten the experience!

Don’t miss this chance to hear from our expert presenter, Rick Heiden, ask your questions, and discover the latest innovations in sustainable HVAC.

Bring your energy, your curiosity, and your ugliest sweater!
We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Joint meeting with the Sustainable Business Council (SBC)

Location: Trane Erickson Building 13

Lunch: $10, BYOB,  ASHRAE members can bring a non-ASHRAE member for BOGO Free. Use code: NOVBOGO

Non Lunch option available: $0

As the building community becomes more aware of the causes and the remedial strategies for climate change, the drive for energy efficiency in buildings is being replaced by a drive for decarbonization. In many areas of the world, the electrical grid is rapidly decarbonizing, so that fully electric buildings are seen as a primary strategy for decarbonization. The primary challenges for decarbonization are building space heating and domestic water heating. This presentation discusses strategies for electrifying these building services in ways that maximize energy efficiency and reduce first cost while maintaining comfort and functionality. The presentation also discusses how these systems can be configured to shift loads from periods of high grid carbon intensity to periods of low grid carbon intensity.

His areas of expertise include underfloor air distribution, thermally active floors, thermal storage, central plant design, energy recovery and building electrification. Projects for which he has had a substantive engineering design contribution include 270 Park Avenue (the J.P. Morgan Chase Headquarters), the BlackRock Headquarters at 55 Hudson Yards, 200 West Street (Goldman Sachs Headquarters), the New York Times Headquarters, the Hearst Tower all in NYC, the William J. Clinton Presidential Center, the University of Virginia Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, the Delaware State Archives, the Alcoa Headquarters in Pittsburgh, the Banco Macro Headquarters in Buenos Aires and the U.S. Embassies in Sofia, Bulgaria, Cape Town, South Africa, and Kathmandu, Nepal.

Registration Link

Location: Online - Teams link provided after registration

Join us for a workshop jointly sponsored by ASQ La Crosse - Winona section and the ASHRAE La Crosse section, that will introduce homeowners and engineers to the tools and knowledge they need to transition to a lean, sustainable, resilient, and cost-effective home through electrification!

The 5T model applied to home electrification:

1. Strategy – Develop a personalized sustainability plan for your home.

2. Adaptation – Learn how to protect your home from climate hazards like floods, heat waves, and extreme weather.

3. Mitigation – Discover practical ways to lower your home's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through clean energy solutions such as heat pumps.

4. Reporting – Understand how to track and manage your financial and emissions data for better decision-making.

5. Opportunity – Maximize your benefits! Optimize savings, incentives, subsidies, and rebates available to you.

This workshop will be of value to product designers interested in home electrification, as well as individual homeowners considering ways to save money and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. 

This workshop is based on the free book “Electrify Everything in Your Home” by Joel Rosenberg.

 https://www.rewiringamerica.org/research/electrify-home-guide

Presenter:

David M. Saunders, CC-P

Upon retiring, David joined the Maryland Climate Leadership Academy and became a Climate Change Professional (CC-P) certified by the Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO). He created the 5T approach during 22 workshops with ASQ Sections and was recently certified as an Electric Coach (ECC) after completing Rewiring America's training.

Earlier in his career, David served as Senior Director of Quality at ResCare and as a consultant at ARBOR, working with clients such as Ford and Intel. He co-authored Four Days with Dr. Deming and other works on customer satisfaction and quality. He holds degrees from Hobart College (BA) and Pratt Institute (MS).

YEA (Young Engineers in ASHRAE) welcomes you to join ASHRAE La Crosse for our annual ASHRAE Loggers baseball game on July 30th at 6:35pm at Copeland Park!

Order tickets via the ASHRAE La Crosse website by Wednesday, July 23rd.

Tickets include a party deck seat, and concessions: ballpark classics, sides and unlimited NA beverages!

Hope to see you there!

What: ASHRAE Research Promotion Disc Golf Open

Where: Pettibone Disc Golf Course – Gazebo

When: Wednesday, June 18th 2025 (4:30-5:30pm registration) 5:30pm-8:00pm       

Cost: $10 entry fee, $5 Ace Pot (optional)

 Come join the La Crosse Area of ASHRAE chapter at Pettibone park in La Crosse for the first annual ASHRAE Research Promotion Disc Golf Open.

Registation:

Register ahead of time or sign-up day of event.  Proceeds from the tournament are going toward the ASHRAE research promotion 2024/25 campaign.  Two divisions will be available, Amateur (little to no expericence playing)  and Expercienced (have played disc golf before). 

Pettibone Park is home to a 27 hole disc golf course which gives a variety of shots and friendly for all levels of play!

Some discs will be provided for those that don’t have any, but be sure to bring your own if you have them.  There will be fun hole contests with the chance to win some prizes as well as a 50/50 and prize raffle! Shotgun start promptly at 5:30pm. 

Membership Promotion Event: Bring a non-member

Know anyone who is interested in joining ASHRAE or getting involved?  We highly encourage you to bring them along.  This event is open to everyone, ASHRAE members or non-ASHRAE members. 

YEA welcomes all ASHRAE members and prospective members for trivia night at La Crosse Distilling Co. on Wednesday, May 14th at 7pm! Participation is free and open to everyone - refreshments will also be provided. Hope to see you there!

William P. Bahnfleth, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow/Presidential Member ASHRAE, is a professor in the Department of Architectural Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University—University Park, PA. He holds a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois and is a registered professional engineer. He is a Fellow of ASHRAE, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the International Society for Indoor Air Quality and Climate. Dr. Bahnfleth is the author or co-author of more than 170 journal articles and 14 books/book chapters. He has served ASHRAE in a variety of capacities, including Student Branch Advisor, Chapter Governor, Technical Committee and Standing Committee Chair, Director-at-Large, Vice President, Treasurer, and 2013-14 Society President. He is the chair of the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force. His ASHRAE awards include the Exceptional Service Award, the Louise and Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award, the E.K. Campbell Award of Merit for teaching, and the F. Paul Anderson Award, ASHRAE’s highest individual award.

Where: La Crosse Distilling Co. - 129 Vine St, La Crosse, WI 54601

When: Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025 @ 4:30pm-5:30pm, Dinner at 6:00pm

 Cost: Attendance is $30. Please register and pay on the La Crosse ASHRAE website by April 18th. The cost includes a private guided tour led by the Head Distiller and six 0.25 oz pours of their core spirits and selected specially spirits.

There will be a 10% discount on merchandise and $ 5.00 off on their house-made spirits after the tour.

Dinner is not included in the attendance fee, but participants that wish to have dinner at the place can order individually.

What: ASHRAE Winter Conference Summary, highlight opportunities like the LeaDRS and Leadership U programs, learn about the conference, ASHRAE structure, and networking.

Where: Trane Technologies Reuban Trane Conference Room in Building 12 (2213 South 20th Street, La Crosse WI) and Hybrid Meeting (Link on La Crosse ASHRAE Website)

When: Wednesday, February 26, 2025 @ 12:00pm

Cost: Attendance is free but please register

___________________________________________________________________

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 316 408 211 708

Passcode: ij9nV6Lz

Dial in by phone

+1 414-662-3577,,722959160# United States, Milwaukee

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 722 959 160#

For organizers: Meeting options | Reset dial-in PIN

___________________________________________________________________

What: Join us for a tour of the new Kwik Trip on West George Street in La Crosse

When: Thursday December 12 at 12PM

Where: 1133 George St W, La Crosse, WI 54603

Cost: Free but please register so we can provide an accurate headcount

Topic: Moving to A2L for residential applications. Why we are going to A2L?

Presenter: Steve Kujak

Location: Trane-Ruben Conference Room

Date: Tuesday October 22nd 12:00PM-1PM

Xcel Energy Efficiency Summit

Cost: FREE

Date: Thursday, September 19, 2024 

Location: Stoney Creek Hotel | 3060 S Kinney Coulee Rd, Onalaska, WI 54650 

https://slipstreaminc.org/education/xcel-energy-efficiency-summit-0

AGENDA

7:30–8 AM: Registration, networking breakfast 

8–8:35 AM: Welcome

8:35–8:45 AM: Networking break, visit exhibitors  

8:45–9:45 AM: Breakout session #1

• Commercial building electrification: Understanding HVAC systems and their heat pump upgrade options. Ryan Hoger, Director of Training, Temperature Equipment Corporation

• Interconnection process. Katie Dietlin, Wisconsin Solar Program Manager, Xcel Energy; and Jackson Schmidtke, Renewable*Connect Program Manager, Xcel Energy 

• Energy metering: An important first step on your sustainability journey. Chris Brown, Solar Preconstruction Manager, Schneider Electric 

9:45–10:00 AM: Networking break, visit exhibitors  

10:00–11:00 AM: Breakout session #2

• Advanced RTU Controls and Strategies. Ryan Hoger, Director of Training, Temperature Equipment Corporation

• Power Quality Influences of VFDs and LEDs. John Houdek, President and Co-owner, Allied Industrial Marketing, Inc.

• Microgrids 101. Michael Voigt, Business Development Manager, EnTech Solutions

11:00–11:15 AM: Networking break, visit exhibitors  

11:15–12:15 PM: Breakout session #3

• Commercial building electrification: Understanding HVAC systems and their heat pump upgrade options. Ryan Hoger, Director of Training, Temperature Equipment Corporation

• Solar electric systems for your business: what to know before you buy. Chris Collins, Solar Preconstruction Manager, Westphal & Company 

• Insights and Innovations in Lighting Technology. Mike Herbst, Project Manager, Faith Technologies 

12:15–12:40 PM: Lunch 

12:40-12:45 PM: La Crosse ASHRAE Chapter Introduction - Steve Kujak, President of La Crosse ASHRAE Chapter

12:45–1:30 PM: Keynote lunch presentation

• Unlocking the Potential of AI in Buildings. Erin Rau, Trane Technologies Digital Services

1:30 PM: Energy Efficiency Summit concludes

Potluck Dinner, Yard Games, Disc Golf

Cost: Bring a dish to pass - Signup Here

Potluck Picnic

Come join the La Crosse Area of ASHRAE chapter at Rowe park in Onalaska for a Potluck picnic. If you plan to attend, please plan to bring a dish to pass. You can sign up for an item-to-bring here.

Disc Golf

Rowe Park is home to an 11-hole disc golf course which is beginner friendly. Enjoy a round after dinner for a chance to win some prizes! Some discs will be provided for those that don’t have any, but be sure to bring your own if you have them. There will be a couple of fun hole contests with the chance to win some prizes! (closest to pin, longest putt, etc.)

Membership Promotion Event

Bring a non-member Know anyone who is interested in joining ASHRAE or getting involved? We highly encourage you to bring them along. We will have several attendees with numerous years of service to ASHRAE available for questions about ASHRAE in general.

More information to come

Date: TBD

Topic: Sustainable HVAC

Location: Trane Lax 11 Classroom

Date: May 22nd, 12pm-1pm

Speaker: Christian Taber and Tony Bruno

Agenda:

• ASHRAE STD 90.1

• What’s new

• What’s in the works

• ASHRAE STD 55

• What is it?

• What is new?

• ASHRAE STD 231P

• What is it?

• Current Status?

• ASHRAE STD 135 (BACnet)

• What’s new?

• 223P (Semantic Modeling) - why?

• ASHRAE GL 36

• What is it?

• What’s new?

• What’s coming?

• What should I do if I want to get involved in ASHRAE?

• How do I make a proposed change to a standard?

• Where can I learn more?

More information to come

Date: TBD

We have two exciting topics in one meeting for our April meeting of the La Crosse Area Chapter of ASHRAE. ASHRAE Society President Ginger Scoggins will give her presidential address titled “Challenge Accepted: Tackling the Climate Crises.” This presentation explains why ASHRAE has accepted the challenge of the climate crises and what ASHRAE is doing to prepare our members to address the coming challenges for the future of the built environment. We will follow that up with our regularly scheduled chapter educational programming. This month, we will focus on refrigeration with a talk titled “The Cold Chain – Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” given by Alex Schmig

Cost:

Free for Brown Bag Lunch

$15 for Sandwich Lunch Provided

Register: No Registration Necessary (Unless You Want Lunch)

Agenda:

Noon - 12:30pm: Chapter meeting and Cold Chain presentation with Alex Schmig

12:30-1:00pm: Presidential Address by Ginger Scoggins

Location:

Trane (Building 12) - Reuben Trane Room

2313 20th St S, La Crosse, WI 54601

Please register for Thursday’s tour so the Chapter can provide our hosts with a list of attendees. Number of attendees is limited.

More details to come.

Click HERE to register for this event!
Note the registration link will be on the left-hand sidebar.

Come for the trivia, stay for the cheese curds, beer, and good company!