November Newsletter: President's Notes and Wireless for HVAC

NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT:
Last month we had a great overview of constant volume zoning technologies and design from Ryan Hoger of TEC. We would like to thank everyone who attended the meetings and made last month's programs a success. Thank you to Ryan Hogar as well for taking so much time out of his busy schedule and hitting both the South Bend meeting and Calumet meeting.

We, as a chapter, have several ongoing projects that I would like to let you all know about.

We are working on putting together a scholarship to help local students. The intent of this scholarship is to assist those in school that may be involved with ASHRAE activities at their schools. Currently we have a student chapter at Purdue Calumet. We are hoping to include other local universities as well. We hope to encourage more students to become involved with ASHRAE and to study HVAC.

As many of you are familiar with, we put on an annual golf outing to support ASHRAE Research. Last year we raised a record amount of money. I hope that we can match or better that this year. Please start talking with your employers and start thinking about what you may want to personally donate to this worthy cause. Check with you employers as well if they will match any donations that you make. No, we are not saving kids from cancer. However, ASHRAE Rearch supports research in areas that directly impact things such as indoor air quality and energy consumption. One thing you may not know about ASHSRAE Research is that 160% of every dollar is used for research. Administration of ASHRAE Research is performed by ASHRAE, which is covered by your dues. In addition to this, there are matching grants from other institutions that boost the value of every dollar you may donate to ASHRAE Research.

Nationally, ASHRAE has committed to providing the tools for designing low energy buildings. Locally, we are committed to diseminating those tools. This year we will be putting together programs to start introducing these tools such as the Advanced Energy Design Guides. The Advanced Energy Design Guide for small commercial buildings is one way to achieve easy LEED energy points, by the way. We'll also be looking into alternative energy sources and LEED projects, to name a few things.

I hope you have enjoyed the programs so far. Please send me any comments that you may have.

Thanks again for all your participation,

Louis van Belle
Chapter President

WIRELESS!

Have you ever had that perfect spot for a thermostat but just don't have anywhere to route the wiring? Have you ever needed to get data from point A to point B but didn't want to loop hundreds of feet of cabling through plenums, up and down columns, and every which way? This month Jim Kohl of Trane will be presenting on wireless technologies in the HVAC field. He will discuss the current state of affairs in addition to upcoming future technologies and their applications.

Jim Kohl joined Trane Global Controls in May, 2005. As Product Manager, Jim is currently responsible for Sensors, Wireless Technology, and Outsourced Products. Jim has experience in product and applications engineering, as well as over ten years in product management. Jim was employed by Donaldson Company for nineteen years, where he was awarded one US patent. Most recently, Jim managed the aftermarket development department at McQuay International. Jim holds both a BA in Business and an MBA from Metropolitan State University, where he also a member of the University's resident faculty.

Please make an effort to come out and join us Thursday, November 15 at Margaritas. Everyone is free to attend so invite friends, mothers, brothers, clients, building owners, architects, etc.

Dinner Meeting
Cost: $20 (Students are free)
Check-in: 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm EST
Dinner / Program: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm EST

Margaritas
19606 S. Burnham
Lynnwood, IL
708-412-2650
Google Maps

Please RSVP by Tuesday, November 13
Send an e-mail using the links are on the right.
Or, phone Louis van Belle at 219-924-8400 for the dinner meeting.