The HVAC industry has no shortage of standards, but few have generated as much excitement, or confusion, as ASHRAE Guideline 36: High-Performance Sequences of Operation for HVAC Systems. This guideline, originally released in 2018 and added to in 2021 and 2024, lays out a data-backed baseline for how commercial HVAC systems should be controlled.
While building owners are just beginning to ask for it, engineering firms, commissioning providers, and smart building consultants are uniquely positioned to use Guideline 36 to deliver value and differentiate their services. But doing so requires more than awareness, it takes the ability to measure and verify what’s happening in a building over time.
What ASHRAE Guideline 36 actually does
ASHRAE Guideline 36 provides standardized, high-performance control sequences for commercial HVAC systems. It includes logic and configuration strategies for:
- Air handling units (AHUs)
- Terminal units (VAVs, fan-powered boxes)
- Chiller schedules and pump optimization
- Boiler schedules and pump efficiencies
- Fan pressure optimization
- Supply and return air temperature resets
- Economizer control
- Schedules, overrides, and alarms
- Fault detection and diagnostics (FDD)
It aims to reduce energy use, improve comfort, and make both new construction and retrofit commissioning more straightforward. These aren’t theoretical, either, they’re field-tested strategies that can be implemented directly into modern building management systems (BMS or BAS).
Why most buildings aren’t there yet
While the intent behind ASHRAE 36 is clear, adoption is still lagging. In many buildings, control sequences are custom, inconsistent, or simply outdated. In others, partial implementations create a false sense of compliance with air handlers following some 36 logic, while terminal units do not. Even in new construction projects, verifying that the installed system matches design intent is difficult.
This gap between intention and execution creates a major opportunity for engineering firms and commissioning providers who want to extend their value beyond design and handover. Read that last sentence again.
Turning Guideline 36 into a business opportunity
1. Verifying controls implementation
Implementing ASHRAE 36 sequences correctly takes more than loading new code into a controller. Ongoing validation through analytics software ensures resets engaging at the right times, terminal units are coordinating with AHUs as expected, and much more.
This is especially powerful in post-construction commissioning or measurement & verification (M&V) contracts. By tracking actual performance over time, firms can ensure sequences work as designed and continue to work long after project closeout.
2. Benchmarking against the standard
Using a building analytics platform like PEAK, firms can automatically benchmark HVAC systems against ASHRAE 36-defined sequences. Instead of vague performance reviews, this gives clear, data-driven answers to questions like:
- Is discharge air temperature resetting based on terminal demand?
- Are economizers operating per the guideline logic?
- Is fan pressure optimization active and dynamic?
This creates a new category of service: an ASHRAE 36 performance assessment that highlights control gaps and optimization opportunities. The best part is that it’s easy to communicate to clients and backed by real data.
3. Aligning fault detection with Guideline 36
One of the strengths of ASHRAE 36 is its embedded fault detection and diagnostics guidance. It recommends logic for identifying issues like:
- Leaking or stuck dampers
- Improperly sequenced heating and cooling
- Sensor faults or overrides
- Non adherence to schedule compliance
Many of these rules can be implemented directly within analytics platforms so engineering teams catch faults, and also show how the system is (or isn’t) meeting the Guideline's expectations.
4. Supporting optimization and retrofits
Even in buildings with no formal controls upgrade planned, analytics platforms can surface sequence-related inefficiencies. For example, failing to implement supply air temperature reset or economizer logic often leaves energy savings on the table.
With Guideline 36, engineering teams can make the business case for targeted control upgrades with confidence, backed by estimated energy, cost, and emissions savings.
Unlocking new revenue streams:
Monitor-based commissioning and condition-based maintenance are reshaping building operations. Tying services to data-driven Guideline 36 builds credibility and positions firms as trusted advisors. This shift moves companies beyond one-off projects, enabling recurring revenue and stronger, long-term client relationships.
Creating a repeatable, value-driven service
For engineering firms and Cx providers, ASHRAE 36 offers the chance to move beyond checklists and into continuous performance improvement. By integrating analytics platforms like CIM’s PEAK Platform, you can:
- Offer ASHRAE 36 compliance reviews
- Deliver smarter, standards-based FDD
- Provide post-commissioning assurance
- Justify control optimization projects with hard data
- Sign longer agreements that entwine your business to the buildings’ operations
And because ASHRAE 36 is increasingly referenced in specifications, local programs, and advanced energy codes, aligning with it today positions your firm ahead of the curve.
The bottom line
ASHRAE 36 is more than a guideline, it’s a roadmap for better buildings. But realizing its benefits takes more than updated sequences. It takes verification, visibility, and a way to track whether systems are truly performing as designed.
With analytics platforms like CIM’s PEAK Platform, engineering firms and commissioning teams can turn ASHRAE 36 from an abstract standard into a concrete value proposition. That’s good for business and even better for building performance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is ASHRAE Guideline 36?
A: It’s a standard titled “High-Performance Sequences of Operation for HVAC Systems” developed by ASHRAE. It includes proven control sequences for improving energy efficiency, comfort, and operations in commercial buildings.
Q: What systems are covered under ASHRAE Guideline 36?
A: It applies to air handlers, VAV boxes, chillers, boilers, economizers, fans, and more. It also covers scheduling, alarm management, and fault detection.
Q: Why aren’t more buildings using ASHRAE 36 yet?
A: Many rely on legacy control logic, and there's often no post-installation verification. Even new projects can fail to meet the intended standard without analytics or proper commissioning.
Q: Can ASHRAE 36 be applied to retrofit projects?
A: Yes. Even partial adoption, like implementing reset strategies or updating scheduling logic can yield noticeable energy and performance benefits.
Q: How does the guideline support fault detection?
A: It includes built-in diagnostic logic for identifying sensor faults, mode conflicts, overrides, and more allowing earlier detection of operational issues.
Q: What benefits does aligning with ASHRAE 36 offer engineering firms?
A: It enables repeatable service offerings, recurring revenue, client trust, and differentiation in proposals and post-construction services.
Want to simplify how you manage building performance? Book a PEAK Platform demo and discover how effortless ASHRAE 36 Guideline deployment can be.
