Trane Awarded CEC Certification for ASHRAE® Guideline 36

Trane is leading the way with ASHRAE Guideline 36 compliance, receiving California Energy Commission (CEC) certification on January 7.

Sam Gohman

System Applications Engineer

Quick Facts

Topics: Engineer & Architect

About the Author

Sam has been with Trane since 2024. His primary responsibility as an applications engineer is to support the development and application of HVAC controls for new systems, hardware, and customers. His main areas of expertise include VAV systems, electrified heating, thermal storage, and ASHRAE® Guideline 36.

Sam led Trane's submittal process as the first HVAC controls manufacturer to be certified for Title 24 and is a contributor to the Guideline 36 Test Working Group.

Expert review by John Murphy, Applications Engineer.

Trane is leading the way with ASHRAE® Guideline 36 programming as the first HVAC manufacturer to receive certification for compliance with new California Energy Code (Title 24) requirements. The CEC certification demonstrates Trane’s commitment to delivering high-performing Guideline 36 control sequences that help reduce energy consumption, improve system reliability, and minimize downtime.

In California, the 2025 Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6, Section 140.4.r) now requires non‑residential HVAC control systems to use programming based on the 2021 version of Guideline 36. This programming also has to be certified by the CEC.

The new Energy Code took effect on January 1, 2026, and Trane is the first to earn CEC certification.

What is ASHRAE® Guideline 36?

Guideline 36 was created to define standard sequences of operation for HVAC systems so they can help save energy, reduce the time needed for engineering and programming, and cut down on system downtime by catching issues early.

Trane has a pre‑packaged programming library that makes it easy to implement these Guideline 36 sequences the right way, helping ensure systems perform as intended.

What are the key features of Guideline 36?

Trim and Respond is a method for dynamically resetting the value of a setpoint, including air handling unit (AHU) discharge air temperature, duct static pressure, chilled-water supply temperature, chilled-water supply temperature, and others.
Alarm suppression is based on the principle that if a fault occurs both at a source (e.g. AHU) and a load (e.g. VAV (Variable Air Volume) terminal), then the fault at the VAV terminal is likely caused by the fault at the AHU. Therefore, the alarm from the VAV terminal is suppressed in the alarm log and alarm routing.
Automatic fault detection and diagnostics (AFDD) continually checks how an AHU is performing. It compares real‑time data to expected conditions and helps identify possible problems quickly.
Ventilation setpoints are dynamically calculated and provide the correct outdoor airflow for both the system level and for each zone.

Resources

Ask your Trane account manager for more information on Trane controls and ASHRAE® Guideline 36, or visit www.trane.com/controls. For more education on Guideline 36, see our Trane Engineers Newsletter (ADM-APN078-EN) or visit the Trane Education Center to view our ENL video (APP-CMC089-EN).

For additional information on the certification requirements of Title 24, Part 6, 140.4.r, visit the CEC website: Guideline 36 Programming Library.

Trane® Design Assist™ is a web-based application that allows users to create flow diagrams, sequence of operations, guide specifications, and point lists using industry-proven strategies and standards—such as Guideline 36. Register for a free Trane® Design Assist™ account at www.tranedesignassist.com.