April 2026 
Contents
- Contents - a list of highlights in this newsletter! * NEW *
- Section Links - quick links to go to a section of interest! * NEW *
- Greetings - Welcome to MN ASHRAE April 2026 Newsletter. Highlights in this newsletter.
- Chapter Announcement - Spring Education Seminar April 15
- Upcoming Events - Apirl 14, 2026 ASHRAE Mankato 20th Anniversary dinner, April 15, 2026 - 2026 Spring Education Seminar - DoubleTree Roseville, April 21, 2026 Rochester Section: Your City, your future Sustainability in Rochester; April 30 Research Promotion Bowling Event; May 7-9, 2026 - ASHRAE Region VI Chapters Regional Conference (CRC) in St. Louis - Early Bird Rates End April 3!,May 13, 2026 Dr. Jun Li ASHRAE Research New Investigator Award Winner Lecture and Lab Tour at Univ. of MN ME lab, May 20-22, 2026 IBPSA SIMBUILD 2026 - Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, May 21, 2026 - MN ASHRAE Chapter Installation of Officers, June 2, 2026 Rochester: Engineering Ethics for PE's by David Schultz, Hamline University, Jun 3, 2026 -2026 MN ASHRAE Golf Outing - Majestic Oaks Golf Club in Ham Lake, MN PE Renewal due by June 30 2026 , June 27 - July 1, 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conference Austin TX
- Committee Spotlight - Sustainability Committee - Historical Committee
- Recent Events - March 11, 2026 - YEA - Target Field Tour, March 17 Rochester: ASHRAE Heat Balance Method for Load Calculations, Mechanical HVAC Equipment Sizing and ASHRAE 90.1 by N Kegel, March 18, 2026 - ASHRAE Volunteer Committee Event - Feed My Starving Children, March 19, 2026 - MN ASHRAE - CO2 Heat Pump World Seminar, March 27, 2026 - Stud. Activ. & Young Eng. in ASHRAE - 2026 ASHRAE Curling Event,
- Job Board - Advertise Your Internships and Entry-Level Positions for Free on MNASHRAE.org!
- 2025-2026 MN ASHRAE Board of Directors - Listing of Board of Directors and Committee Chairs
- This Month in HVAC History -
- Newsletter Submission Deadline - Due the first Wednesday of each month!
Section Links
Newletter Online Location is https://mnashrae.org/news.php?id=139
Greetings
Chapter Announcements
Plan on joining the celebration of the Mankato Student Branch's history while strengthening connection between students, alumni, and industry! On April 14, 2026 from 5-7pm at the CSU Ballroom at Minnesota State University in Mankato there will be a ASHRAE Mankato 20th Anniversary Dinner including networking, chapter overview, 20-year reflection / recognition, dinner and industry and chapter speakers. This will be a special event you will want to attend.
The 2026 Spring Education Seminar at the DoubleTree in Roseville will feature a full day of program with a theme "Building More Efficient Systems Together" with presentations focusing on heat pump and electrification systems in design, local code application to designs, and troubleshooting system and and design to promote proper operation and longevity of systems. 4 PDHs are available for attending this event.
Please take time to look through all the featured upcoming events for the Minnesota ASHRAE chapter listed below!
Upcoming Events
- April 14 '26 ASHRAE Mankato 20th Anniversary Dinner
- April 15, 2026 - 2026 Spring Education Seminar - DoubleTree Roseville
- April 21, 2026 Rochester Section Monthly Seminar: Your City, Your Future: Sustainability
- May 7-9, 2026 - ASHRAE Region VI Chapters Regional Conference (CRC) in St. Louis - Early Bird Rates End April 3!
- May 13, 2026 Dr. Jun Li, ASHRAE Research New Investigator Award Winner Lecture & Lab Tour
- May 20-22, 2026 IBPSA SIMBUILD 2026 - Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
- May 21, 2026 - MN ASHRAE Chapter Installation of Officers
- June 2, 2026 Rochester: Engineering Ethics for PE's by David Schultz, Hamline University
- Jun 3, 2026 -2026 MN ASHRAE Golf Outing - Majestic Oaks Golf Club in Ham Lake
- June 30, 2026 - MN PE Renewals Due.
- June 27 - July 1, 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conference Austin
ASHRAE Mankato 20th Anniversary Dinner
Celebrate the Mankato student branch's history while strengthening connections between students, alumni, and industry!
Program includes: 5:00 PM | Doors open and networking, 5:30 PM | Opening remarks from current board, Chapter overview, 20-year reflection / recognition,
Dinner, Industry and chapter speakers, 7:00 PM | Event wrap-up
Tickets -$40.00 Member Attendee-$40.00 Guest Attendee
2)April 15'26 2026 Spring Education Seminar - DoubleTree Roseville -
"Building More Efficient Systems Together"
https://mnashrae.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=421
April 15, 2026, 10:30 AM - 5:30 PMDoubleTree by Hilton Roseville, 2540 North Cleveland Ave, Roseville, MN 55113 Directions
Join us at the DoubleTree in Roseville for the 2026 Spring Education Seminar hosted by ASHRAE. This year there will be four educational and technical topics offered with our theme focusing around "Building More Efficient Systems Together" with presentations focusing on heat pump and electrification systems in design, local code application to designs, and troubleshooting systems and design to promote proper operation and longevity of systems. For program details, please see the flyer attached. 4 PDHs are available for attending this event.Register Now
3. April 21 Rochester Section Monthly Seminar: Your City, Your Future: Sustainability
SPEAKERS - Kayla Betzold is the Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Rochester, Minnesota, where she leads initiatives on clean energy, climate resilience, and community sustainability. Previously, she served the City of Louisville, Colorado, overseeing the development and implementation of environmental programs, projects, and policy initiatives in alignment with the City’s Sustainability Action Plan. With over a decade of experience in municipal sustainability, including work spanning three states, Kayla brings deep expertise in advancing policies and partnerships that reduce emissions, improve air quality, and foster more resilient communities.
4) April 30'26 Research Promotion Bowling Event 5-7:30PM - Memory Lanes Minneapolis
https://mnashrae.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=426
Join us on April 30th for a fun and meaningful evening in support of ASHRAE Research Promotion at Memory Lanes! This event is all about bringing our community together to raise funds for the critical research that drives innovation in HVAC&R—advancing energy efficiency, sustainability, and the future of the built environment. We’ll kick things off with a happy hour, followed by dinner where we’ll hear a brief presentation highlighting the impact of ASHRAE research and why your support matters. Then it’s time to have some fun with bowling! We’ll also be hosting a split-the-pot raffle, giving you even more chances to contribute (and maybe win big). 5:00-5-30: Social time 5:30-6:30: Dinner and presentations 6:30-7:30: Bowling 7:30: Raffle drawing. We are actively seeking event sponsors to help maximize our impact. Sponsorship tiers are available at $200, $400, and $600, and each includes one attendee ticket. Sponsors will be recognized during the event, with logo placement on event materials and displays. Whether you're there to network, support a great cause, or just enjoy a night of bowling, this is a great opportunity to give back while having a great time. We hope to see you there!
April 30, 2026 | 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM; Memory Lanes; 2520 26th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55406; Tickets $60 Registration $600 Tier 1 Sponsorship $400 Tier 2 Sponsorship $200 Tier 3 Sponsorship
5) May 7-9, 2026 ASHRAE Region VI Chapters regional conference (CRC) in St. Louis
https://ashraeregionvicrc.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=26
Official Visitors: ASHRAE President Elect Sarah Maston and ASHRAE VP Devon Abellon , ASHRAE Staff: Stephanie Reiniche
Full Registration $482.02 incl. $32.02 Fee, Sales end on May 7, 2026
Full Registration Companion $268.61 incl. $18.61 Fee -Sales end on May 7, 2026
Tech Session Only $375.32 incl. $25.32 Fee -Sales end on May 7, 2026
Where: Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, Book your stay here.
Sponsorship Opportunities Available! ASHRAE CRC (Chapters Regional Conference) is an annual, in-person gathering of ASHRAE members, chapter leaders, and regional officers. It focuses on networking, training, technical sessions, and regional business, often culminating in the awarding of the "Golden Gavel" to the top chapter. Key aspects of an ASHRAE CRC include:Networking & Socializing: Provides a platform for members to connect and share experiences across different chapters.Workshops & Education: Offers technical sessions, tours, and training for chapter officers. Regional Business: Includes meetings for chapter delegates and alternates, featuring a nominating caucus for leadership positions.Awards: Recognizes outstanding contributions from chapters and individuals in the region.Leadership Presence: Features addresses from ASHRAE society officers and staff. Each year, a different chapter within the specific region acts as the host for the event. Technical presentations: Automatic Control Valves, Chilled Water Plants, Next Gen Chiller Plants: AI Driven Optimization & Decarbonization, Legionella risk management, Smart Steam Plants: IoT & predictive maintenance for Boilers, Grid Impacts from increasing electricity demand, Data Center Updates, Steam 101 - Steam System Basics, Heat Pump Applications - Types of Heat Pump Equipment - From Ducted to Chillers, Modern Motor Technology, Adiabatic Fluid Coolers, The Power of Hybrid Solutions: Benefits of Supplementing Heat Pumps with Boilers, Maximizing Airside Efficiency Through Optimized Water Flow, Decarbonizing Existing Buildings w/ Air to Water Heat Pump Chillers, Pam Duffy DL : Ethical Dilemmas in our Modern World, How to Prioritize When "Everything is Important", Generations in the Workplace and What We Know about Gen Z (so far!); Interpersonal Communications, Coaching Capabilities. Thursday May 7th, 2026: 11am - 5pm Registration 11-5, 6pm - Welcome Party (Sport & Social)Friday May 8th, 2026: 8am - 9am: Breakfast & Keynote, 9am - 4pm: Companion Event and Companion Lunch, 9am - 12pm: Technical Talks (see topics below, 3 tracks available, PDHs), 12pm - 1pm: Presidential Lunch, 1pm - 430pm: Technical Talks (see topics below, 3 tracks available, PDHs),6pm - 8pm: Awards Dinner, 8pm: After Party Saturday May 9th, 2026: 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Breakfast, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Leadership Training, 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM: President Elect Training, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: CRC Debrief
6) May 13, 2026 Dr. Jun Li ashrae research new investigator award winner lecture and lab tour, university of Minnesota me lab
University Of Minnesota ME Building --Room ME125, 111 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Join us for lecture, lunch, and lab tour of Dr. Jun Li's Engineering Lab at the University of Minnesota. Prof. Jun Li is the 2026–2027 recipient of the ASHRAE New Investigator Award. The ASHRAE New Investigator Award (NIA) assists new university faculty members to develop research capabilities in HVAC&R related fields. The award comes with a base grant of $50k per year for two years. Jun Li's research aims to reduce energy consumption and assist in the decarbonization for the society. Registration will be limited to 15 people! Lunch with sandwiches and drink will be served at the meeting. Cost to attend is $10. This is a student-friendly event! See the Chapter Announcement section above for more information on Dr. Jun Lin and the ASHRAE Research New Investigator Award. This event is being sponsored by the Student Activities Committee, Research Promotion Committee and Historical Committee. Contact Mike Pouchak at [email protected]
7)May 20-22, 2026 IBPSA SIMBUILD 2026 - Hyatt Regency Minneapolis - Early bird rate ends March 16, 2026!
What Is SimBuild? From Models to Reality: Bridging Simulation and Operational Performance
SimBuild: May 20—22, 2026, hackSimBuild: May 18—19, 2026, Workshops and Tours: May 19, 2026 Registration is Open! https://simbuild.ibpsa.us/
| Early Bird Rate Deadline: March 16, 2026 | Early Bird Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| IBPSA-USA Member | $775 | $925 |
| Non-member | $995 | $1,145 |
| IBPSA-USA Student Member | $375 | $425 |
| Student Non-member | $475 | $525 |
| Sponsor/VIP | $0 | $0 |
8)May 21, 2026 Installation of Officers
Venue TBD! Look for details coming soon!
The Installation of Officers event has a long standing tradition within our chapter. Every year past presidents of the chapter and current leadership get together to take part in the installation ceremony. This event is also a place where members are recognized and celebrated for their contributions to the chapter and to ASHRAE. Please join us to meet and chat with past leadership and your next leaders that will continue pushing ASHRAE forward!
9) June 2 Rochester: Engineering Ethics for Pe's by David Schultz, Hamline University
https://mnashrae.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=412
ASHRAE Minnesota Chapter - Rochester Section , Engineering Ethics for PEs
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 1 pm – 3 pm , Speaker: David Schultz, Hamline University Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Legal Studies, University of Minnesota Professor of Law. Speaker Biography: David has authored more than 45 books and 200+ articles on various topics, including ethics. Among David’s secrets is that he has a master’s degree in astronomy. Ethics for professional engineers. Agenda: Ethics: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Location: Rochester Public Utilities , Community Room , 4000 East River Rd NE , Rochester, MN 55906 Cost: No Charge ; Parking: Rochester Public Utilities Parking Lot , Overflow parking at Foster Ahrend Park . Please RSVP by EOD Friday, May 29, 2026 at mnashrae.org
10) Jun 3'26 -2026 MN ASHRAE Golf Outing - Majestic Oaks Golf Club in Ham Lake
https://mnashrae.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=419
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
11) MN PE Renewals Due by June 30, 2026! 2026-2028 MN PE 2026-2028 Renewals Are Now Open!
The renewal window for licenses and certificates is now open. ALL licenses and certificates expire on June 30, 2026, regardless of the date issued. You must complete the required professional development hours (PDH) before you renew.
- your PDH hours;
- your license or certificate number;
- the last four digits of your ID number (for US citizens that's the last four of your social security number; for non US citizens, it's the last four of your ITIN); and
- your credit card information;
12) June 27 - July 1, 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conf. Austin TX - Early bird rates end April 27!
Registration for the 2026 Annual Conference is now open!
Attending the 2026 ASHRAE Annual Conference is your opportunity to connect with the brightest minds in HVAC&R and building science while gaining insights you can immediately apply to your work.
Attendees include engineers, architects, designers, researchers, manufacturers, contractors, and emerging professionals from around the world.
Register today to deepen your expertise, grow your career, and expand your professional network.
Register by April 27 for the best rates at
ashrae.org/2026annual
Committee Spotlight
Sustainability Committee
Committee Chairs: Nathan Kegel
The Sustainable Buildings Committee promotes sustainability practices within the chapter and the broader community. This committee leads initiatives focused on energy efficiency, green building design, and environmentally responsible HVAC&R technologies, aligning with ASHRAE's sustainability goals.
Email Contact: [email protected]
Historical Committee
Recent Events
1)March 11, 2026 - YEA - Target Field Tour,
2)March 17 Rochester: ASHRAE Heat Balance Method for Load Calculations, Mechanical HVAC Equipment Sizing and ASHRAE 90.1 by N Kegel,
3)March 18, 2026 - ASHRAE Volunteer Committee Event - Feed My Starving Children,
4)March 19, 2026 - MN ASHRAE - CO2 Heat Pump World Seminar,
5) March 27, 2026 - Stud. Activ. & Young Eng. in ASHRAE - 2026 ASHRAE Curling Event,
1) March 11, 2026 - Young Engineers in ASHRAE (YEA) - Target Field Tour -
YEA - Target Field Tour
March 11, 2026, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Target Field, Minneapolis, MN 55403
YEA had a behind-the-scenes tour of Target Field including the mechanical systems that keep Target Field operational.
2) March 17, 2026 Rochester: ASHRAE Heat Balance Method for Load calcs. Equip Sizing & ASHRAE 90.1 - Kegel
March 17 Rochester Section Monthly Seminar: ASHRAE Heat Balance Method for Load Calculations, Mechanical HVAC Equipment Sizing and ASHRAE 90.1 by Nathan Kegel, IES.
3) March 18, 2026 aSHRAE volunteer committee event: feed my starving children
The team did hand-pack rice, soy, dried vegetables and a nutritionally complete blend of vitamins and minerals into bags which are then sealed, boxed, placed on pallets and shipped to incredible partners who distribute the food to children who need it around the world. Volunteering at FMSC impacted hundreds of kids in just 90 minutes!
4)March 19, 2026 - MN ASHRAE - Whats new in the co2 heat pump world
March 19, 2026 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Axel's Restaurant, Roseville, MN
This seminar featured 1 PDH by Sean Jarvie from Flow Environmental Systems with an interesting talk on CO₂ heat pump technology and its growing applications in modern HVAC systems. This session gave an overview of how CO₂ heat pumps operate, their advantages as a low-GWP refrigerant solution, and applications in commercial and institutional buildings.
5)March 27, 2026 - student activities (Sa) & Young eng. in ashrae - 2026 ASHRAE Curling Event
https://mnashrae.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=413
March 27, 2026 , 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM;
ASHRAE Student Activities and Young Engineers in ASHRAE committees hosted our 5th Annual ASHRAE Engineers Week Curling Event. ASHRAE members, Young Engineers in ASHRAE, and university students were in attendance excelling at the exciting sport of Curling. The event cost was FREE for college and university students with a valid student email.
Job Board
Advertise Your Internships and Entry-Level Positions for Free on MNASHRAE.org!
Are you looking to bring fresh talent into your company? MNASHRAE is committed to helping students and young professionals kick-start their careers in the HVAC&R industry. We are offering free advertising for internships and entry-level positions on our website, MNASHRAE.org. This is a great opportunity for companies to connect with eager students and recent graduates who are passionate about HVAC&R and ready to contribute to the industry. To post a position or learn more, please submit an ad on the website, https://mnashrae.org/jobs, or contact Rolf directly at [email protected] Let’s work together to build the next generation of HVAC&R professionals!
2025-2026 Board of Directors
Committee Chairs
[email protected]
Rochester Section President
Student Activities Co-Chair
[email protected]
Nathan Kegel
Sustainability Chair
[email protected]
Allison Peterson
Volunteer Outreach Chair
[email protected]
Anthony James Hughes
Young Engineers in ASHRAE Co-Chair
[email protected]
Jake Strawhecker
Young Engineers in ASHRAE Co-Chair
[email protected]
Ryan Traeger
Young Engineers in ASHRAE Co-Chair
[email protected]
This Month in History
As air conditioning use soared in the 1970s, the energy crisis hit. In response, lawmakers passed laws to reduce energy consumption across the board, setting the stage for the Energy Department’s Appliance and Equipment Standards Program, which establishes a single federal energy efficiency standard for air conditioner manufacturers rather than a patchwork of state-by-state standards.
Since 1992, the Energy Department has issued conservation standards for manufacturers of residential central air conditioners and heat pumps. The initial standard is expected to net about $29 billion in energy bill savings from 1993 to 2023. The standard passed in 2006 is anticipated to result in around $70 billion in energy bill savings from 2006 to 2035 and avoid more than 369 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of about 72 million cars.
The program has already driven huge efficiency improvements in new air conditioning technology that has helped consumers save energy and money. In fact, new air conditioners today use about 50% less energy than they did in 1990.
source : energy.gov
Newsletter Submissions Deadline
May: Golf
