ASHRAE has opened the call for abstracts for its 2026 Annual Conference, taking place June 27-July 1 in Austin, Texas. The conference will feature a robust technical program focused on the industry’s most critical challenges and opportunities, including artificial intelligence, building decarbonization and innovations in building design and systems. Abstracts (400 words or less) are due Nov. 19. If accepted, final conference papers (eight-page maximum) are due Feb. 25. For additional details, visit ashrae.org/2026Annual.
Conference papers are requested for the following tracks:
“Hot Climate Building System Design, Operation and Resilience” focuses on buildings, building systems and equipment in hot climates and the considerations in design for resilient buildings.
“Ground Source Heat Pumps” focuses on the application of GSHP technology to residential, commercial and district energy system projects contributing to energy efficiency, reduction in peak load and energy-use, and decarbonization.
“AI in Building Design and Construction” covers implementation of AI during the building design and construction phases, as well as in building automation and control systems to improve energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality and security and maintenance.
“Building Decarbonization” focuses on the advancement of carbon neutral, net zero energy and decarbonization strategies in new construction, renovation and HVAC&R design for residential and commercial buildings, with special focus on refrigeration selection and minimizing refrigerant releases.
“Research Summit” features active research, and the exchange of research findings, critical to the development of the HVAC&R industry and built environment.
“Workforce Development” covers all aspects of business outside of engineering/technical applications to allow professionals an opportunity to develop in areas such as presentation skills, leadership, team building, interpersonal skills, etc., and lends itself to interactive session types such as workshops and forums.
“Fundamentals and Applications” provides 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.
Finally, “HVAC&R Systems and Equipment” focuses on the development of new systems and equipment, improvements to existing systems and equipment and the proper application and operation of systems and equipment.
