Cal Poly ASHRAE Club Launches Yearlong HVAC&R Technical Project

At this week’s club meeting (09/25/2026), we discussed opportunities for members to get more involved with the club and introduced a focus for the year: a yearlong technical project. Members were presented with five possible projects, and the club will vote on which option we will pursue together. These projects provide an opportunity to gain hands on engineering experience and work with industry relevant tools such as AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and Revit.

Project Options:

1. Refrigeration System Restoration

Restore a refrigeration system previously built by the club by diagnosing issues, updating the design, and potentially connecting it to solar power

2. ASHRAE 2027 Design Competition

Design a retrofit for a hotel in Taipei, Taiwan, incorporating HVAC design, system selection, and net zero energy concepts.

3. 2027 Applied Engineering Challenge

Design an HVAC system for a lunar outpost housing 2-4 astronauts, including mechanical plans, equipment selection, and heating and cooling calculations.

4. 2027 Building EQ Competition

Evaluate a local building’s energy use and develop recommendations to improve performance and reduce energy consumption.

5. Mock Scenario Design Challenge

Respond to a realistic project prompt by designing an HVAC system that meets a given set of requirements.