Abstract submissions are now being accepted for the 2024 ASHRAE Winter Conference to be held in Chicago, Jan. 20-24, 2024, at the Marriott Marquis Chicago.

The conference will focus on how IEQ/IAQ, decarbonization and energy efficiency can be holistically combined to benefit both the people and the environment.

"We spend approximately 90% of our lifetime indoors to shelter from adverse weather conditions, ensure our own safety, and accomplish our duties," said technical conference chair Suzanne LeViseur. "Pollutant concentrations are typically two to five times higher indoors than outdoors. This implicitly entails the need for proper IEQ (Indoor Environmental Quality) and IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) to enable personal comfort, well-being (physical and mental), enhance productivity, and promote equitable built environment."

Conference papers are requested on the following tracks:

The "Decarbonization and Climate Change" track will explore and highlight industry efforts in decarbonization and energy efficiency in the building sector.

The "Hydronic Systems" track will focus on hydronic systems used in the built environment, such as chilled water systems, hot water systems and ground source heat pumps.

The "Ventilation, Indoor Air Quality and Air Distribution Systems" track will look at how these various parameters work with and against each other when designing and constructing a finished space.

The "Comfort, Indoor Environmental Quality and Energy Efficiency" track will address ASHRAE Standards 55, 62 and 90, as well as Guideline 10, and how they interact with each other when considering building design.

The "HVAC&R Controls" track will examine various control strategies and their application within the built environment.

The "Project Method Delivery" track will explore delivery methods, such as design-bid-build, design-build, construction manager at risk and indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity, and how they produce the best results for project delivery.

The "Fundamentals and Applications" track will provide opportunities for papers of varying levels across a large topic base. Concepts, design elements and shared experiences for theoretical and applied concepts of HVAC&R design are included.

The "HVAC&R Systems and Equipment" track will focus on the development of new systems and equipment, improvements to existing systems and equipment, and the proper application and operation of systems and equipment.

The "Refrigerants and Refrigeration" track will explore refrigeration systems, which generate and use cold for a range of processes, from food preparation and conservation to vaccine preservation, to long-term protection of fragile ancient inks of historical documents and others.

Abstracts (400 words or less) are due June 28, 2023. If accepted, final conference papers (8-page maximum) are due October 16, 2023.

In addition, technical papers (complete 30-page maximum papers) are also due June 28, 2023. 

All accepted papers will be considered for publication in Science and Technology for the Built Environment, ASHRAE's research journal.

For more information on the call for abstracts and the 2024 ASHRAE Winter Conference, visit ashrae.org/2024Winter