ASHRAE is accepting abstract submissions for the 2026 Winter Conference to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jan. 31 – Feb. 4, at Caesars Palace. Abstracts (400 words or less) are due May 28. If accepted, final conference papers (8-page maximum) are due Sept. 3. In addition, technical papers (complete 30-page maximum papers) are also due May 28.
Conference papers are requested for the following tracks:
- The “Indoor Environmental Quality for Healthy Buildings” track explores advancements in design, operation and best practices for improving indoor environmental quality, including ventilation, filtration, acoustics, lighting and occupant health, safety and comfort.
- The “Artificial Intelligence” track covers applications for AI and machine learning technology in building automation and controls to enhance energy efficiency, occupant comfort, cyber security and daily operation of HVAC systems and equipment.
- The “Pathways to Building Decarbonization” track highlights research, case studies, new methods or resources, and policies, regulations, codes and government programs that can reduce carbon impacts and achieve net zero (or net positive) building design.
- The “Energy Storage and Grid Resiliency” track focuses on advancements in thermal and electrical energy storage, integration of energy storage systems in building envelopes or HVAC systems and grid resiliency.
- The “Future-Proofing the Built Environment” track highlights innovative technologies and strategies that reimagine our relationship with the built environment now and into the future, including design strategies for extreme climates and weather and responses to energy supply distributions.
- The “Research Summit” track features active research, and the exchange of research findings, critical to the development of the HVAC&R industry and built environment. The track includes a partnership with ASHRAE’s archival journal, Science and Technology for the Built Environment.
- The “Refrigerants and Refrigeration” track explores 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from food preparation and conservation to vaccine preservation, to long-term protection of fragile ancient inks of historical documents and others.
- 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.
All accepted papers will be considered for publication in Science and Technology for the Built Environment, ASHRAE’s research journal. For more information, visit ashrae.org/2026Winter.