New research has shown that the skin temperature on specific areas of the body is a strong indicator for how hot, cold or comfortable people feel. These findings could inform the design of wearable technology and smarter, more intuitive building climate control systems. The new study by experts from the University of Nottingham's Faculty of Engineering shows that skin temperature, particularly on the face and hands, is closely tied to how comfortable or uncomfortable a person feels. Read more
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An open-source artificial intelligence model to accurately map the carbon emissions of buildings across multiple cities could become a powerful new tool to help policymakers plan targeted and equitable decarbonization strategies. The model, developed by researchers at the College of Design and Engineering (CDE) at the National University of Singapore, offers city planners a detailed picture of how building carbon emissions are distributed and what drives them, with a view to helping authorities design smarter, fairer strategies to cut emissions. Read more
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High-temperature heat pumps (HTHPs) extract and reuse heat from a source, reducing energy costs and carbon emissions. While the design of these systems, which include refrigerants and compressors, have improved in recent years, the majority are still “single-stage” systems, limited by original heat source conditions and vulnerable to strained compressor pressure ratio in colder temperatures. Researchers have introduced an auto-cascade heat pump design with large temperature lift potential—the ability to achieve high temperature differences—and a low global warming potential refrigerant that is more efficient and effective than existing HTHPs. Read more
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This study examines space cooling characteristics and energy performance of ice-storage cooling systems in a large-scale stadium in China. As for the indoor environmental effects, significant air temperature stratification, thermal inertia and unorganized air infiltration have been discovered, leading to drastic cooling load fluctuations. Read more
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Join ASHRAE Journal Technical Editor Rebecca Matyasovski and Alexander Butkus as they discuss the advantages of heat pumps over natural gas furnaces, highlighting energy savings and cost benefits.
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Leveraging Machine Learning to Optimize Chiller Plant Controls
By Michael Berger
Machine learning (ML) is one of the defining technologies of our era, yet its application to HVAC controls is still in its infancy. This article explores how ML and optimal control methods can be used to optimize HVAC operations and optimal controls and reduce energy consumption. Download here
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ASHRAE Announces 2025-2026 Society Scholarship Recipients
ASHRAE has announced the recipients of 40 Society scholarships, totaling $218,500, for the 2025-26 academic year. “Supporting the next generation of engineers is one of the most impactful ways ASHRAE can help build a more sustainable future,” said 2025-26 ASHRAE President Bill McQuade. “These scholarships recognize academic excellence and a commitment to the advancement of the built environment. We are proud to invest in the students who will lead the transformation of our industry." Read more
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The Legionnaires’ disease outbreak last month in New York reminded people of the risk inadequately managed HVAC systems pose. Four people died and dozens were sickened by contamination that was spread through commercial building cooling towers, city health officials said. However, HVAC systems can pose risk more routinely than that if filters aren’t cleaned regularly, malfunctioning units release vapors from cleaning agents or if the systems cause indoor air to dry out too much, says Primrose Freestone, senior lecturer in clinical microbiology at the University of Leicester in the UK. Read more
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