Setting the Standard, Raising the Bar
For over one hundred years, the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers—better known as ASHRAE—has set the standard as the foremost source of technical and educational information and the primary provider of opportunity for professional growth in the related fields of heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigerating. Each year, the ASHRAE Annual Conference provides a launch pad for innovative ideas, skilled instruction, and industry camaraderie.
TECHNICAL PROGRAM
A mainstay of the ASHRAE Annual Conference, the technical program addresses broad topics in the application of technology to practice, specific applications in ground source heat pumps, O&M and indoor environmental quality, as well as new reports on research taking place worldwide. The conference’s technical program features various tracks, each speaking to current needs that professional engineers face in the field.
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The complex relationship between indoor and outdoor environmental conditions, coupled with the impacts of climate change, requires buildings that are comfortable and healthy for the occupants yet also energy efficient. “The Indoor Environment—Health, Comfort and Productivity Track” highlights the state of knowledge of the balance of environmental health and energy efficiency in buildings and research directions.
“The Ground Source Heat Pumps State of the Art: Design, Performance and Research Track” addresses all aspects of design that lead to optimally performing systems in addition to avoiding common pitfalls that lead to poorly performing systems.
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With low energy and zero energy buildings becoming more prevalent, there are many issues that arise with installation, startup, commissioning and operations and maintenance (O&M). “The Installation, Commissioning, Operation, Maintenance of Existing Buildings Track” focuses on lessons learned, improvement of process and team communications and efforts to improve the installation, startup, operations and maintenance, and commissioning of HVAC systems.
“The Refrigeration Track” emphasizes global perspectives on new refrigerants, variable refrigerant flow applications, magnetic bearing compressors, and refrigerant management. Non-comfort cooling applications in food preservation and medical cryogenics also are highlighted ASHRAE is known for its standards—their development and their adoption worldwide. “The Standards, Guidelines and Codes Track” highlights the applications of ASHRAE’s standards to practice as well as European (CEN) and ISO standards that support building performance.
RESEARCH SUMMIT AND BOOKSTORE
The second annual ASHRAE Research Summit presents innovations in HVAC&R research with particular emphasis on high performance building design and its role in a clean energy economy, and brings together researchers to present and discuss the latest research. Researchers will present papers, seminars and forums or participate in panel discussions. Also, highlights on ongoing ASHRAE funded research are presented. Join us in this comprehensive compilation of research-related papers and programs that peer into what the future holds.
Authors of some 200 conference paper abstracts have been invited to submit papers for the Research Summit and conference. More than 300 books, meeting papers, and other recent publications will be available for purchase in the ASHRAE bookstore. The bookstore provides HVAC&R technical literature from ASHRAE and other popular industry publishers.
EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS
The two full-day seminars include “Introduction to Buildings Enclosure Commissioning,” which introduces the Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx) process by outlining key quality based activities that achieve a successful building enclosure. The seminar will include overviews on such design phase BECx activities as developing the Owner’s Project Requirements, the BECx plan, and critical building science and architectural issues to address in the design review and specifications, and construction phase BECx activities such as construction observation and performance testing. The seminar will aid in understanding how BECx contributes towards commissioning goals and requirements and LEED.
The other full-day seminar, “Introduction to Buildings Enclosure Commissioning,” provides guidance on how to perform commercial building energy audits. Best practices and other information relevant for building owners, managers and government entitles are covered. The seminar includes a summary of materials essential for performing ASHRAE Level 1, 2 and 3 audits, time-saving tips for every auditor, how to hire an auditor, what to ask for in a comprehensive audit report, and how to build a successful energy efficiency retrofit team.
Numerous half-day short courses include “Designing High-Performance Healthcare HVAC Systems,” “Designing Toward Net Zero Energy Efficiency Commercial Buildings,” “Troubleshooting Humidity Control Problems,” “Building Demand Response and the Coming Smart Grid,” “Commissioning for High-Performance Buildings,” “Application of Standard 62.1-2013: Multiple Spaces Equations and Spreadsheets,” and “Exceeding Standard 90.1-2013 to Meet LEED Requirements.” Each course earns three professional development hours (AIA LUs) or .3 CEUs. Attendees are encouraged to check with their state for their continuing education credits requirements and to bring all identification numbers to the course to ensure they receive proper credit.
THE PATH TO PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
With access to varied offerings and unmatched expertise, attendees of the ASHRAE Annual Conference continue to distinguish themselves among their peers and develop new approaches to the growing challenges of efficiency, power, and sustainability that are the driving forces of the HVAC&R industry. This year’s conference promises to build on the wealth of ASHRAE’s resources and encourage current professionals to promote new ideas.