ASHRAE 36 Is Becoming a Standard for High-Efficiency Buildings

Published December 1, 2025

ASHRAE Guideline 36 has become one of the most influential developments in commercial HVAC optimization as building owners work toward energy efficiency, decarbonization, electrification, and improved operational reliability. Many existing buildings still rely on customized or outdated control strategies that lead to higher utility costs, inconsistent comfort, and complex maintenance burdens. ASHRAE 36 responds to these long-standing challenges by providing standardized, high-performance sequences of operation for common HVAC systems. These sequences are designed to reduce wasted energy, improve indoor air quality, and make system behavior more predictable for operators. As portfolios accelerate electrification and load-management strategies, ASHRAE 36 offers a scalable pathway to performance gains across both new construction and retrofits.

What Is ASHRAE 36: Standardizing HVAC Control for High Performance

ASHRAE Guideline 36 provides detailed, vendor-agnostic sequences of operation for major HVAC components, including variable air volume systems, air handling units, ventilation controls, supply air temperature resets, and variable-speed fans. Historically, engineers developed control sequences uniquely for each project, leading to inconsistent quality, frequent programming errors, and difficulty achieving optimal performance. Guideline 36 replaces this fragmented approach with a standard framework that reflects industry best practices and is continuously updated.

The guideline was created to reduce engineering, programming, and commissioning time while delivering more predictable results across building types. It offers a tested set of sequences that support stable operation, faster tuning, and improved diagnostic capacity. The standardized logic improves the ability of building operators to understand system behavior because the sequences follow common rules and documentation practices. Guideline 36 also incorporates strategies that respond automatically to changes in occupancy, load, and outdoor conditions, supporting advanced comfort and air-quality requirements. These elements position ASHRAE 36 as a foundational resource for organizations aiming to modernize their control architectures.

ASHRAE 36 vs Traditional HVAC Controls

Most commercial buildings still rely on traditional control sequences that vary widely across vendors and engineers. These custom or legacy sequences often lack proper documentation, contain inconsistencies, or fail to incorporate newer efficiency strategies. Traditional control logic may rely on fixed setpoints, limited reset strategies, and minimal integration between system components. These gaps frequently result in common inefficiencies such as simultaneous heating and cooling, unnecessary fan power, poor ventilation control, and unstable zone behavior.

ASHRAE 36 improves upon these issues by offering a highly structured, predefined control library. This turnkey approach ensures that sequences operate according to proven principles that maximize energy savings and comfort. The standard reduces commissioning burden because engineers do not need to reinvent logic for every building. It also supports interoperability, giving owners more flexibility in choosing automation vendors without sacrificing performance. Studies have demonstrated that buildings operating with ASHRAE 36 sequences can reduce HVAC energy use by roughly 30 percent compared to traditional logic. These savings stem from optimized resets, dynamic ventilation control, reduced equipment cycling, and consistent coordination between heating, cooling, and airflow.

For beginners learning HVAC control fundamentals, the contrast between the two approaches is clear. Traditional systems depend heavily on the experience of individual engineers, which can lead to unpredictable outcomes. ASHRAE 36 shifts the field toward consistency, transparency, and repeatability. This standardization makes it easier for new engineers and operators to understand, troubleshoot, and improve building systems over time.

Where ASHRAE 36 Delivers Value

Guideline 36 delivers benefits across energy, comfort, and operational reliability. The guideline is built around four core operating principles: turning systems off when they are not needed, reducing power when full output is unnecessary, avoiding simultaneous heating and cooling, and minimizing excess outdoor air intake. These principles are embedded throughout the sequences and drive substantial reductions in energy consumption.

Industry findings indicate that buildings implementing Guideline 36 experience meaningful improvements in both energy performance and occupant satisfaction. One recent analysis found that buildings using standardized sequences saw nearly 50 percent reductions in temperature-related complaints alongside significant reductions in overall HVAC energy use. These gains are particularly valuable for large facilities with complex mechanical systems such as campuses, hospitals, government buildings, and office towers.

Beyond energy savings, ASHRAE 36 enhances indoor air quality through better ventilation control and more stable system responses. It also improves operational resilience by supporting easier fault detection and diagnostics, allowing maintenance teams to identify performance issues earlier. The clarity and consistency of the sequences simplify training requirements for operators and reduce the risk of errors during maintenance or retrofits. For organizations managing large portfolios, these operational advantages help create predictable performance across buildings while lowering total cost of ownership.

How ASHRAE 36 Supports Electrification and Load Flexing

Electrification strategies increase the role of HVAC systems in managing peak demand, balancing loads, and maintaining comfort efficiently. As buildings transition away from fossil-fuel-based heating and toward electric technologies, the need for advanced control strategies becomes more pronounced. ASHRAE 36 provides the structured foundation necessary to coordinate equipment performance and reduce the likelihood of load spikes that strain the grid.

Standardized sequences improve the system’s ability to modulate equipment, respond to occupancy patterns, and optimize energy use based on real-time conditions. Research on demand-flex performance has shown that buildings using Guideline 36 can achieve greater load reduction during shed events than buildings with traditional control logic. Some studies suggest reductions of more than three watts per square meter during shed periods when using optimized cooling strategies. These improvements occur because G36 sequences allow for more effective precooling, coordinated ventilation, and adaptive resets.

While increased load flexibility may lead to temporary comfort trade-offs, the overall benefits for grid stability and building decarbonization are significant. By enabling dynamic response capability, ASHRAE 36 helps building owners participate in demand-response programs, reduce peak charges, and support broader electrification goals. This makes the guideline an important tool for organizations developing long-term energy strategies.

Conclusion

ASHRAE Guideline 36 is becoming a key standard for high-efficiency buildings due to its ability to standardize control performance, reduce energy use, and support operators with clear and consistent logic. By moving away from traditional custom control sequences, organizations gain more predictable results, improved comfort, and lower operational risk. The guideline also positions buildings for the future by supporting electrification, load flexibility, and grid-interactive strategies.

As building portfolios continue focusing on sustainability, energy efficiency, and carbon reduction, ASHRAE 36 provides an actionable path toward meaningful performance improvements. Its adoption across both new construction and retrofit projects represents a practical step toward modernizing building operations and enhancing long-term energy resilience.