Steffen Peuker, Author at HVAC&R

A Testing and Commissioning Framework for MEP Systems

Posted on August 27, 2026 (August 27, 2026)

For their senior design project, Cal Poly Mechanical Engineering students Seth Squire, Cadan Crowley, and Alfonso Magallanes completed a Webcor-sponsored project addressing inconsistent testing and commissioning practices for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Their study identifies several recurring challenges, including varying project workflows, unclear responsibilities, scheduling and communication gaps, and inconsistent documentation and training. The […]

Comparing Radiant Panels, Heat Pumps, and Conventional Heating Systems

Posted on August 27, 2026

For their senior design project, Cal Poly Mechanical Engineering students Isaac Nuno and Enrique Sayas investigated whether ceiling-mounted electric radiant panels could provide a simpler, lower-energy alternative to conventional heating systems. Using DesignBuilder, the team modeled a two-story residence and a three-story commercial office building in Chicago. Six winter-season simulations compared radiant panels with a […]

HVAC System Design for the Historic Atascadero Printery

Posted on August 21, 2026

For their senior design project, Cal Poly Mechanical Engineering students Katherine Hennig, Warren Taira, and Anson Chen worked with the Atascadero Printery Foundation to support the restoration of a historic building constructed in 1915 and damaged during the 2003 San Simeon earthquake. The team developed an Owner’s Project Requirements document, thermal load and ventilation calculations, […]

Reducing Humidity in Solar Vaccine Refrigerators with Reusable Silica Gel

Posted on August 21, 2026

For their senior design project, Cal Poly Mechanical Engineering students Alex Emme, Brandon Natividad, and Andrea Hernandez worked with SunDanzer to address persistent high humidity inside solar-powered vaccine refrigerators. Although these refrigerators must operate between 2–8°C, internal relative humidity can reach 80–90%, contributing to condensation, fogging, icing, and potential damage to vaccine packaging and labels. […]

Cal Poly Students Explore HVAC&R Careers in SoCal

Posted on June 8, 2026 (June 8, 2026)

Seventeen students recently spent two busy days traveling around the LA area to network and learn about the HVAC&R industry. On May 19th they visited the SMART Facility for Sheet Metal Local Union 105 in the City of Industry and toured the training facilities, then attended the ASHRAE SoCal Student Night. At the Student Night […]

Congratulations to Our 2026 ASHRAE SoCal Scholarship Recipients

Posted on May 7, 2026

We are proud to recognize five Cal Poly San Luis Obispo students who applied for the 2026 ASHRAE SoCal Chapter scholarships. Of these applicants, four students were selected to receive awards in recognition of their academic achievements, leadership, and involvement in the HVAC&R industry. This year’s scholarship recipients are: Grace Murphy (Edward Schmidt Scholarship Recipient) […]

Cal Poly Students Attend Women in ASHRAE Leadership Symposium

Posted on May 6, 2026

Six Cal Poly students attended the second annual Women in ASHRAE Leadership Symposium in Los Angeles in April, along with faculty advisers Jennifer Mott Peuker and Lauren Rueda. Throughout two packed days they attended technical sessions, networked with industry professionals, and learned about new technologies and opportunities in the HVAC&R sector. […]

The Future of HVAC: AI, Software, and Career Skills with HVAKR CEO Davis Muxlow

Posted on May 6, 2026

Davis Muxlow, CEO of HVAKR, spoke at the 4/30/2026 club meeting and shared insight into the future of software and Artificial Intelligence specifically within the HVAC industry. He emphasized the growing importance of soft skills in engineering, particularly the ability to build relationships and communicate effectively. Muxlow noted that as technology continues to advance, technical […]

Inside Cal Poly’s Central Plant: ASHRAE Club Tour Experience

Posted on May 1, 2026

Mechanical Engineering senior and incoming ASHRAE club officer Lucas Meneghetti shares his experiences of a club tour of Cal Poly’s Central Plant: This past Thursday, April 24, I had the opportunity along with 12 other Cal Poly ASHRAE students to join professor and club advisor Lauren Rueda and Supervisor of Central Plant and Refrigeration Aaron […]

ACCO’s Cameron Curtis Shares HVAC Career Insights at the ASHRAE Student Club Meeting

Posted on April 27, 2026

Cameron Curtis, Senior Team Lead for ACCO, spoke at the 4/16/2026 club meeting and shared insights into careers in the HVAC industry and their journey from a mechanical engineering student to an industry professional. He emphasized that their career path was not linear, but shaped by exploring different roles and being open to new opportunities, […]

HVAC&R and NASRC Student Experience

Posted on April 21, 2026 (April 23, 2026)

In partnership with the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC), the Cal Poly Student ASHRAE Branch and the ME HVAC&R program, Cal Poly’s inaugural HVAC&R and NASRC Student Experience brought together 100 students and 23 industry professionals for a day of hands-on learning, career exploration, and networking. Students learned foundational refrigeration design concepts, practical tools, and […]

The Future of Refrigeration: AIM Act & Natural Refrigerants with Hussmann

Posted on April 13, 2026 (April 13, 2026)

Matt di Cicco, a sales manager with Hussmann took the time to present at the 4/2/2026 club meeting. Hussmann is a company that designs and manufactures commercial refrigeration systems and display cases primarily used by supermarkets, convenience stores, and food retailers. The Federal AIM Act is resulting in the largest change in the refrigeration industry […]

Western Allied’s Mike Gallagher Shares Career Advice at Feb. 26 Club Meeting

Posted on March 4, 2026

Mike Gallagher, President Emeritus of Western Allied Corporation, spoke at the 2/26/2026 club meeting and shared practical career advice for students entering the HVAC industry. He discussed different business structures and emphasized the importance of company culture, encouraging students to visit potential employers in person and understand who they would report to before accepting a […]

DMG presents at Cal Poly ASHRAE Club to Discuss Sales Engineering and a New CO₂ Heat Pump

Posted on February 20, 2026 (April 13, 2026)

Aidan Hays, a sales engineer with DMG took the time to present at the 2/12/2026 club meeting. DMG is a leader in HVAC equipment sales. They specialize in high quality engineered products and pride themselves on being technical solutions providers to their customers. DMG has offices all over California and always looking for talented Cal […]

2026 ASHRAE Winter Conference

Posted on February 17, 2026 (February 17, 2026)

From January 30 to February 3, 23 Cal Poly students and two faculty members attended the annual ASHRAE Winter Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. They attended technical sessions, networked with industry professionals, and explored the AHR Expo, deepening their awareness of the HVAC&R industry. ASHRAE Student Branch officer Anson Chen shares his experiences below. _________________________________________________________________________________ […]

Net-Zero Design and Construction-a-Thon 2026

Posted on February 6, 2026

From January 23 to 25, 49 Cal Poly students participated in the annual Net-Zero Design and Construction-a-Thon. They spent their weekend competing to design an updated HVAC system for a multi-use building including office space, data center, and warehouse. The student teams selected mechanical equipment, created budgets for labor and materials, scheduled construction and planned […]

Author: Steffen Peuker

Posts by Steffen Peuker