A lot of different ASHRAE technical meetings will be held over the course of just a few days, and it may be confusing to determine just which ones contractors might be interested in. Here are a few:

  • Seminar 1 (Sunday, Jan. 28, 8-10 a.m.): Low- Energy Cooling Case Studies. A number of low- energy cooling strategies can be used in suitable climates. These strategies may involve alternatives to compressor-based cooling and/or more effective methods of cooling occupied spaces. The seminar consists of case studies of commercial buildings with low-energy cooling features — evaporative cooling, desiccant cooling, chilled beams, chilled ceilings, and displacement ventilation.

  • Seminar 2 (Sunday, Jan. 28, 8-10 a.m.): Mandating CO Alarms: Is it in the Public’s Interest? Products of combustion from fossil fuel-fired residential appliances include carbon monoxide (CO), a poisonous gas. If these combustion products enter the living space, the potential exists for dangerous levels of CO to accumulate. CO alarms have been promoted as a way to warn occupants when dangerous levels of CO are detected. The history of CO exposure and incidents is provided, along with information on field experience with CO alarms.

  • Forum 1 (Sunday, Jan. 28, 8:00-8:50 a.m.): Are We Robbing “Peter Transformer” to Pay “Paul Motor”? Are efficiency improvements of motors being “eaten up” by additional transformer losses? What are the proper transformer and distribution sizings? Do we need to rethink how we size transformers and electrical distribution systems?

  • Forum 3 (Sunday, Jan. 28, 9:00-9:50 a.m.): Gaseous Contaminants and Removal Equipment — Improving IAQ in Buildings. Improving IAQ in buildings is associated with an initial cost of equipment upgrade or purchase. To a lesser degree, costs of maintenance are also included. A complete cost assessment for IAQ is rarely done.

    • How can information be developed and provided to building supervisors/designers on the “complete” costs for a system to provide “acceptable” IAQ? What information should be included? Can IAQ even be provided in a cost-saving manner? This forum addresses these questions and provides direction toward quantifying the cost in “cost-effective IAQ.”

  • Forum 5 (Sunday, Jan. 28, 10:15-11:05 a.m.): Is Standard 90.2 Relevant? In light of the recognition of the IECC and IRC, SSPC 90.2 is soliciting input on the strengths and weaknesses of this standard for Energy-Efficient Design of New Low-Rise Residential Buildings and how to gain greater support and use of this standard.

  • Seminar 8 (Sunday, Jan. 28, 10:15-11:05 a.m.): First Time at an ASHRAE Meeting? This Seminar’s for You! This seminar introduces new meeting attendees to the events of a Society meeting: how to get involved in a technical committee, what the difference is between a symposium and seminar, and how to become part of the meeting program. The role of ASHRAE staff in a meeting and the events that surround the meeting are explained.

  • Forum 10 (Sunday, Jan. 28, 1:00-1:50 p.m.): Energy Recovery Ventilation: Why or Why Not? With ventilation requirements being mandatory in most new buildings, there are ample opportunities for energy recovery. Although some make frequent use of energy recovery technology, many others do not. This forum explores the rationale for using or not using energy recovery ventilation.

  • Forum 12 (Sunday, Jan. 28, 2:00-2:50 p.m.): Why Dehumidify? This forum focuses on gaining information and opinions on the effect of humidity regarding indoor comfort. It discusses different approaches to handling humidity within the environment and the treating of ventilated air and also seeks opinions regarding the proper method of calculating those moisture requirements.

  • Seminar 12 (Monday, Jan. 29, 8-10 a.m.): Application of Variable-Speed Drive to Centrifugal Chillers. The seminar focuses on the concept of applying variable-speed technology to centrifugal compressors. Also covered will be practical considerations for applying variable-speed drives to centrifugal chillers, knowing when it makes sense, and the owner’s perspective on variable-speed drives from the decision process to owning and operating experience.

  • Seminar 25 (Tuesday, Jan. 30, 8-10 a.m.): Contaminants Control — Back to Basics. The safe and reliable operation of hvacr equipment depends on the cleanliness and dryness of system components. Higher operating and lower evaporating temperatures make this requirement even more critical. Chlorine-free refrigerants and the new class of lubricants behave differently with contaminants; moisture pickup with new lubricants is worse; the circulation of contaminants is different; the effect of residual process chemicals on the expansion devices has become critical.

    • This seminar looks at the science and practical application aspects of contaminants, such as moisture, air (and other noncondensibles), acids, and unapproved residual process chemicals. Proper evacuation, use of inert gases in assembly, use of filter-driers, and approval of process chemicals are discussed.

  • Seminar 29 (Wednesday, Jan. 31, 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.): Adding New Life to Old Systems: Control Retrofit Case Studies. Adding ddc to old systems improves building automation and control while often adding flexibility to meet current demands. The decision to retain or replace existing actuators and valves can significantly affect the retrofit project cost as well as system reliability. Newer uses of an existing building may require significant changes in mechanical system capability.

    • Older mechanical technology such as two-pipe heating-cooling systems can be “made to work” properly with new ddc strategies. Case studies of several different retrofit projects are discussed along with significant criteria used in the development of these projects.

  • Forum 27 (Wednesday, Jan. 31, 11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m.): Don’t Sweat It. Residential and Light Commercial Cooling and Dehumidification in Hot and Humid Climates. Ventilation, cooling and dehumidification challenges abound in hot and humid climates. What are the challenges and issues facing designers, installers, manufacturers and practitioners? What research is needed? What programs are of interest? What Handbook data are needed?

  • Seminar 40 (Wednesday, Jan. 31, 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.): Treatment of Outdoor Air: Bomb or Blessing? Makeup air is a major contributor to indoor air humidity control problems. The majority of hvac systems are still controlled by a thermostat only. This seminar is an attempt to seek new solutions to the ever-increasing challenge of controlling indoor humidity.

    • Publication date: 01/15/2001