Mick Schwedler, PE, FASHRAE, LEED® AP BD+C
(Accepting In-Person & Virtual Presentation Requests)
Staff Applications Engineer
Trane
2213 South 20th Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
United States
608.792.1124
Region: VI
Honorarium: None

Professional

Mick has been active in the development and support of HVAC systems for Trane since 1982. As an applications engineer his areas of expertise include system optimization (in which he holds patents), chilled water and geothermal heat pump system design, and electrification of heating in hydronic systems. His primary activities “Feed the Roots” by assisting engineers in appropriate application of products and systems in buildings, and system education through publications, blogs and presentations. He has provided technical systems education to tens of thousands of engineers through Trane’s Engineers Newsletter Live series, and ASHRAE webcasts. Mick has also given in-person and virtual technical seminars throughout the world, and published many articles within the industry. Prior to his work with Trane, Mick received his MSME from the University of Wisconsin Solar Energy Laboratory and BSME from Northwestern University.

Mick served as 2021-2022 ASHRAE President. He is an ASHRAE Fellow, recipient of ASHRAE’s Exceptional Service, Distinguished Service, and Standards Achievement Awards, and was Chair of SSPC 90.1-2010. Mick also Chaired the Advanced Energy Design Guide Steering Committee and was on project committees for the 50% Hospital and Office Buildings AEDGs.

Mick chaired the USGBC LEED Technical Committee, served on the LEED Steering Committee and is a past member of several USGBC technical and education groups. In addition, he authored portions of the original ASHRAE Green Building Guide, and served on technical groups for the New Buildings Institute.

Personal

Mick and Jen have three children -- Ben (married to Mandi, grandson Ian), Caroline (married to Aaron, grandsons James and Sam) and Karl -- who are all blessings to them. Jen and Mick are quite active at First Evangelical Lutheran Church where Jen is an organist. Mick loves to sing in barbershop quartets, and is golfing more since July 1, 2022. Raised 30 miles from Green Bay, WI in the 1960’s, Mick is an avid (or is that rabid?) Packer fan.

Topics
Upgrading Existing Chilled Water Systems

Existing chilled water systems provide the capability to cool buildings efficiently. Yet there are often ways that these existing systems can be upgraded and improved to increase efficiency, better serve building occupants and use existing infrastructure to keep projects cost effective.

This presentation:

Recommended audience: Facilities managers, consulting engineers, contractors, and students.
High Performance Chilled Water Systems

Chilled water systems have been used for more than 80 years. During that time, there has been a consistent effort by manufacturers and system designers to develop equipment, design strategies and control methods that result in the highest performing chilled water systems possible.

This presentation discusses system configurations, design parameters and system control techniques that can help owners and design teams reduce chilled water first costs, system operating costs and environmental impact.

Recommended audience: Consulting engineers, contractors, facilities managers, and students.
Your Actions Define the Future

You, your actions, decisions, character, motivation, dedication to excellence and volunteerism have impacts today, and for generations yet to come. Each of us has the privilege and responsibility to share experience and insight as we strive to fulfill ASHRAE’s Mission, “To serve humanity…”

As inspiration for each of us to “Feed the Roots,” reflections from more than 41 years in the industry as well as wisdom imparted by ASHRAE Members while serving as President (2021-22) are included and celebrated in this presentation.

Recommended audience:

Principals, company leaders, students, consulting engineers, architects, companions, facilities managers, contractors, …you get the picture.

Chilled Water Systems for YEA Members: What the Baby Boomers and Gen Xers Have Done WRONG!!! (Part I)

Mistakes lead to “experience” – that is, knowing what you never want to have happen to you again. It’s a lot less painful to learn from other people’s “experience.”

This seminar, originally presented at an ASHRAE annual conference, covers common chilled water system mistakes; and more importantly how to avoid or mitigate them. Chilled water systems covered include new, retrofit, conversion/addition, and replacement. In addition, control options are also discussed.

Whether novice or experienced, come shake your head, laugh a bit, and learn together.

Recommended audience: Students, consulting engineers, contractors, facilities managers, and anybody else who wants to learn from others’ mistakes!
Chilled Water Systems for YEA Members: What the Baby Boomers and Gen Xers Have Done WRONG!!! (Part II)

Ah, yes, mistakes continue to abound and warrant a sequel.

Part II, a follow-up of the original, was delivered at a more recent ASHRAE winter conference. It delves more deeply into the topic and expands the scope by sharing further mistakes as well as questioning past design philosophy.

Whether novice or experienced, come shake your head and laugh a bit more as we all learn together.

The two “YEA Member” presentations work well together – for example one in a technical session and the other during the main meeting.

Recommended audience: Students, consulting engineers, contractors, facilities managers, and anybody else who wants to learn even from others’ mistakes!
Chilled Water System Decisions

This presentation covers many common chilled water system decisions, benefits and adverse effects of those decisions, and reasons a design team may want to choose a particular option.

The chapter will get to pick approximately 7-8 topics from the following list in this fast-paced presentation.

Recommended audience: Students, consulting engineers, contractors, and facilities managers
Variable Primary Flow (VPF) Systems

When we consider a chilled water system configuration, such as VPF, it is beneficial to examine and compare the new system with conventional systems. While VPF systems have now been in use for over 20 years, the system still must be designed and operated properly to provide the expected benefits to the building owner.

This presentation covers: Recommended audience: Consulting engineers, contractors, facilities managers and students.
Ethics Case Studies

Developed by TC 1.07 (Business, Management & General Legal Education), this interactive session has participants break into small groups and discuss ethics cases that have been adjudicated by the NSPE (or by State Boards). Due to the interactive nature of this seminar, you will have the opportunity to engage in spirited debate in a small group setting, present “your findings,” and not just listen to the presenter talk about ethics.

Three to four cases will be presented, along with the final outcome. Real cases are used because they have generally reached an official conclusion that has been published, along with the reasoning behind the outcome. You’ll discover that there are nuances and also surprises as you consider responsibilities and ethics.

Recommended audience: Anybody in the construction industry: Project managers, consulting engineers, contractors, facilities managers and students.
Building Operational Decarbonization

“Decarbonization” has become a hot topic. But what is it, how do we estimate emissions reduction and how can HVAC systems be designed to reduce emissions? This presentation focuses on reducing emissions due to design choices, building operation and from the electric grid providing building power. Subjects include decarbonization definition, goals, example calculations of emissions, key HVAC components and effects, and a few system solutions. The presentation does not cover subjects such as embodied carbon or carbon emitted during construction. Consult materials available from the ASHRAE Task Force for Building Decarbonization for much more information.

Recommended audience: Engineers, architects, contractors, facility managers, educators, students, sustainability coordinators

Decarbonization (Electrification) for Hydronic Heating Systems
Many people have been educated on what decarbonization is, as well is its goals. This presentation delves into how hydronic systems using heat recovery chillers, heat pumps and chiller/heaters can be designed, piped, optimized and controlled in order to provide heat efficiently. Also covered are the impact of hot water and outdoor air temperatures, methods to simplify system design and operation, the importance of ensuring building operators and facility managers can operate the systems as intended. The goal is to reduce environmental emissions and make the system as simple as possible, but not simpler.