The American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers (ASHVE) was an early predecessor of the modern American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). ASHVE was founded in 1894 and primarily focused on heating and ventilating engineering.
In 1959, ASHVE merged with the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE) to become ASHRAE, the organization we know today. This merger broadened ASHRAE’s scope to encompass not only heating and ventilating but also refrigeration and air conditioning engineering. ASHRAE has since become a globally recognized authority in the field of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R), and it continues to set standards and guidelines for the industry.