Organized by ASHRAE, the American University of Beirut and the ASHRAE Lebanese Chapter, the International Conference on Efficient Building Design: Materials and HVAC Equipment Technologies, takes place Oct. 2-3, 2014, in Beirut, Lebanon.

The Conference presents the latest research and development to improve building designs and state-of-the-art technologies in building materials and systems.

Reducing energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, implementing energy efficiency standards and introducing new equipment and technologies are areas the seeking improvement in the Arab region, according to Nesreen Ghaddar, conference chair.

“This conference will serve as a platform for presenting advanced research in these topics with the intent to make recommendations for decision makers to implement,” she said. “Specifically, direction is sought on what technology is optimal and can be adopted when phasing out HCFC refrigerants in equipment and systems in developing countries.”

Currently, 33 papers are undergoing review. In addition, Industry Sessions and Keynote speakers are being organized.

Topics include but are not limited to:

• Sustainable Building Designs
• Energy Efficiency Standards
• Building Materials
• Indoor Air Quality Systems
• HVAC and Different Technologies
• Solar Heating and Cooling for Built Environment
• Systems for Cooling and Water Production for Hot Humid Climates

Registration for the conference will be:

• $300, ASHRAE Member
• $400 Non-member
• $30 Student

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is a global society advancing human well-being through sustainable technology for the built environment. The Society and its more than 50,000 members worldwide focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, refrigeration and sustainability. Through research, standards writing, publishing, certification and continuing education, ASHRAE shapes tomorrow’s built environment today.

Accepted conference papers and extended abstracts will be reviewed for a possible topical issue of ASHRAE's HVAC&R Research journal. Select authors will be invited to submit significantly updated versions of their papers, which would undergo a rigorous double-blind review. Papers published in HVAC&R Research are included in the ISI Web of Science and Current Contents databases. HVAC&R Research has a 5-Year Impact Factor of 1.034 .