Lehigh Valley ASHRAE Chapter Latest Newsletter ASHRAE founded in 1894 is an international organization of 50000 persons with chapters throughout the world. The Society is organized for the sole purpose of advancing the arts and sciences of heating ventilation airconditioning and refrigeration for the publics benefit through research standards writing continuing education and publications. Through its membership ASHRAE writes standards that set uniform methods of testing and rating equipment and establish accepted practices for the HVACR industry worldwide such as the design of energy efficient buildings. The Societys research program currently more than 100 research projects worth nearly 8 million investigates numerous issues such as identifying new refrigerants that are environmentally safe.