ASHRAE, long known for its contributions to the built environment technology industry, now boasts more than 56,000 members. ASHRAE membership is individual based, reflecting the Society’s diverse representation of building system design and industrial processes professionals around the world.

“This growth reflects ASHRAE’s influence on building standards and best practices around the world,” Tim Wentz, ASHRAE president, said. “Our members recognize that the Society increasingly provides opportunities to network with the global built environment’s best and brightest.”

In 2016, ASHRAE reached 56,105 members, its highest in 14 years. ASHRAE currently has 181 chapters, 41 sections and 234 student branches around the globe, with members in 130 countries.

Seventy nine percent of ASHRAE’s total membership is based in the U.S. and Canada, while 21 percent is from other countries, an increase from 18 percent from two years ago.

ASHRAE’s Region-at-Large, which encompasses the Middle East, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Africa and Europe, had the largest percent gain in membership in the Society year of 2015-16.

“From expansion into residential markets to providing resources for the quickly changing refrigerant industry, ASHRAE will continue to use the expertise of its members to further the technology of tomorrow,” Wentz said. “At the same time, ASHRAE is partnering with other organizations dedicated to working toward a more sustainable environment, creating a worldwide best-practices databank of innovative and successful technologies that will serve the built environment community.”

ASHRAE currently has more than 130 published standards and guidelines and is one of only six standards-developing organizations in the U.S. that can self-certify that its standards have followed American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) standards development procedures.

The society is also one of the only HVAC&R organizations that maintains its own research program, which currently has 56 active research projects with a combined value of more than $9 million. That research is overseen by some 100 technical committees representing 4,200 people.

ASHRAE produces hundreds of publications, including the ASHRAE Handbook, books on specialized topics within the field, and various CDs and DVDs. The Society also publishes the peer-reviewed monthly ASHRAE Journal, quarterly High Performing Buildings and bimonthly Science and Technology for the Built Environment.

Through the ASHRAE Learning Institute, ASHRAE offers more than 100 courses in a variety of formats, including eLearning, professional development seminars, short courses and self-directed learning courses. In addition, ASHRAE offers six certification programs for individuals.