Committed to Kids and Community

Highlights

• Ongoing relationship reflects Trane’s deep-rooted support for La Crosse, our hometown community.
• Building transformed from a 100-year-old former furniture store to a modern museum.
• Customized zoning for unpredictable occupancy and airflow needs.
• Donated RTU exhibit supports STEM education and community engagement.

The Challenge

The Children’s Museum of La Crosse is housed in a building that’s been part of the community for more than a century. Once a furniture store, it wasn’t designed to handle the demands of a modern museum, especially one that welcomes over 80,000 high-energy visitors each year. With a tall central atrium and largely open floorplan, the three-story space made it tough to keep temperatures consistent. Some areas ran hot, others stayed chilly and airflow didn’t always keep up with activity. As a nonprofit, the museum is entrusted with stewarding every donor dollar into a space built to stand the test of time and operate with lasting efficiency.

The building needed a significant HVAC upgrade to support modern comfort and performance. This challenge resonated especially deeply with Trane, because La Crosse is where we first got our start. We’ve maintained deep roots in our hometown ever since, with a long-standing commitment to supporting the people and organizations that make it thrive.

The Solution

To solve the building’s unique comfort challenges, we gave the museum an upgraded HVAC system that would be far more flexible and responsive. A Variable Air Volume (VAV) system paired with Trane Air-Fi® Wireless controls allows museum staff to manage temperature room by room, even across wide-open spaces like the tall central atrium. The system includes Tracer® controls, which use built-in applications to enhance efficiency and manage performance. Features like optimal start and stop, occupancy-based setpoint adjustments and intelligent scheduling help ensure that every dollar of energy spend is necessary — without ever sacrificing comfort. A web-based dashboard also gives staff remote access and clear visibility, so they can easily adapt to seasonal changes or a sudden surge of visitors. But we didn’t stop at installation. We continue to provide quarterly preventative maintenance and remain ready to respond whenever support is needed. “Being able to maintain is a much better use of the donor money that supports this organization,” said Executive Director Ann Christianson. “And I trust [Trane] with that.”

The Results

Since the upgrades, the museum has been noticeably more comfortable on all three floors, even in those tricky wide-open areas. Staff don’t have to wonder how the building will hold up during a heat wave or a packed afternoon. They know it’ll work.

The upgraded controls make it easy for non-HVAC experts to manage the system day to day. Museum staff can adjust setpoints or change schedules for special events through a simple interface — no disruption, no guesswork and no need to call in a technician.

When something does need attention, Trane can remotely access the system through its connected controls to investigate. In some cases, issues can be resolved right then and there without a service call. If a visit is needed, remote access often allows the Trane team to diagnose the problem in advance, enabling faster, more targeted repairs. It’s an efficient service relationship that helps the museum manage costs, operate efficiently and stay focused on the moments that matter.

Supporting the Experience, Not Just the Equipment

Part of Trane’s support extends beyond the traditional management you’d expect with HVAC service. During a regular facilities walk through, museum staff commented that the Whoosh exhibit was quite loud. An interactive display, which lets visitors send scarves flying through a maze of clear tubes, allows kids to explore airflow, motion, pathways and problem-solving, the Woosh is a crowd favorite. And although the exhibit was a hit, the constant noise from the fans that powered the tubes was disrupting the ambience of the museum’s large, open central space.

Trane returned to investigate. Working closely with museum staff, our team — including engineers from the Accelerated Development Program (ADP) — analyzed the issue and implemented noise suppression around the fans to reduce the overall sound level without compromising performance.

What began as an infrastructure upgrade has grown into something more: a lasting relationship rooted in trust, problem-solving and a shared commitment to keeping the museum enjoyable and running smoothly.

Trane Gives Big to Help Kids Discover the Science of Comfort

Trane Technologies didn’t just donate equipment — we brought a vision to life. With $115,000 in funding, hundreds of volunteer hours, and a one-of-a-kind rooftop unit (RTU), we helped the museum create a hands-on exhibit that teaches kids how indoor comfort systems work.

Modified with plexiglass panels and light-up airflow indicators, the custom RTU turns invisible air movement into something kids can actually see. Mounted on the roof of a scaled-down firehouse (right next to the museum’s beloved firetruck), the exhibit draws kids in with lights and color, then gets them thinking about airflow, ventilation and the science behind comfort.

But this wasn’t an off-the-shelf installation. Trane volunteers helped design, modify, deliver and install the unit, ensuring that it would be safe, engaging and educational. From engineers to field techs to local employees, the project drew support from every level of our organization — a true team effort rooted in our commitment to STEM education and community involvement.