Call for Papers

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For technical problems or for help in submitting an abstract online, email Tech Support

The Conference Paper submission process consists of 5 steps.

1. Track: You will be asked to choose which track you are submitting to.
2. Title: Enter the title of your paper, and your email address so that you can receive a submission confirmation email. You will also be asked to indicate whether this paper has been previously submitted. You can enter the name of your intended session chair, if your paper is to be part of a planned session. You will be asked to indicate if you are a student. You may also optionally enter a technical committee.
   
   If you indicate you are a student, you will be prompted to enter additional student information after clicking "Save".
3. Author: You will be required to enter a presenting author, and may additionally enter co-authors.
4. Abstract Text: Enter the abstract text for your submission (400 words or less).
5. Confirmation: You will be asked to review all the information you have entered. Please make sure that everything is correct, then click the Conclude button.

Session Chairs: Please submit your request for Conference Paper Sessions to Haley Booker-Lauridson, hblauridson@ashrae.org. Make sure to include the title and abstract for the session, sponsoring TC, and titles and authors for each paper within in your proposal e-mail. A Conference Organizer will reply to your request to organize a paper session for the conference. The Session Chair's responsibilities are extensive - please review them in the Session Chairs Handbook.

Examples of Abstracts of "Applications-type" Conference Papers Accepted for the Las Vegas Conference

Rehab of DDC at Corporate National Training Center: Three Years of Therapy (LV-11-C004) Alonzo Blalock, P.E., Member, Jacobs, Fort Worth, TX

Abstract Text:

Environmental conditioning or HVAC contributes to many aspects of a 'satisfactory worker environment'. One of the most significant aspects of a 'satisfactory worker environment' is getting the Building Automation System (BAS) to correctly manage the system operations. In some ways, the BAS represents the brain and nervous system for the building body. And thus, careful attention is required when attempting rehabilitation or performing 'brain surgery'.

When reviewing BAS systems in existing large buildings, it is important to evaluate the entire operation similar to the way a good doctor's plan includes a patient stress screening. Various operations can be tested in the Commissioning processes, including reviewing a listing of Hot-Cold calls and conducting a 'laptop' survey at the sensors to reveal details of system performance similar to an EEG.

This Paper will present details of the rehabilitation of a BAS system at a pharmaceutical company's National Training Center campus. Built in New Jersey in the early 90s, the campus is comprised of three, five-story buildings, with approximately 240,000 total square feet (22300 SM). Each building includes a low temperature air supply system with Series Fan Powered VAV units. Following three years of effort in the continuously occupied buildings, the project is now complete and already shows much improved living conditions for the Owner.

The information of this paper is intended to convey the aspects of a detailed replacement of BAS using descriptions similar to those used by a Medical Professional to treat a patient. The Owner expressed a desire in and found greater value in the improved reliability of system operations even more than generating minor energy savings. While the improvement in maintenance staff's ability to maintain occupant's comfort could not easily be calculated, the Owner believed it represented a major financial benefit.

ASHRAE Resources for LEED-Existing Buildings Certification (LV-11-C020) Barry Abramson, P.E. and Lung-Sing Wong, P.E., Member, Servidyne, Atlanta, GA

Abstract Text:

The US Green Building Council's LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) rating system relies upon several standards and procedures developed by ASHRAE. Some are well known, such as the ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2007 Ventilation Rate Procedure, but need to be applied under different circumstances than they have typically been in the past. Others, such as ASHRAE Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits, were lesser known several years ago, before LEED-EB was introduced. Such terms as "ASHRAE Level I" and "ASHRAE Level II" Energy Audits have now been popularized in the building industry. This paper will address the LEED-EB requirements that rely on these ASHRAE tools and resources and discuss the challenges to the engineer regarding proper application under various existing building scenarios. It will explain the pertinent concepts and definitions as presented in the ASHRAE resource documents, and present strategies for how these ASHRAE resources can most effectively be utilized in the LEED-EB certification process.

Demand Control Ventilation: Lessons from the Field: How to Avoid Common Problems (LV-11-C062) Brad Acker and Kevin van den Wymelenberg, University of Idaho, Boise, ID

Abstract Text:

Demand control ventilation (DCV) has the potential to save energy by reducing ventilation rates in accordance with occupancy levels provided by the surrogate indication of CO2 levels. However, improperly installed, designed, or operated systems may save energy at the expense of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) or enhance IAQ at the expense of energy. These outcomes may have the potential to foul the image of an otherwise viable energy efficiency measure. This paper reports what the authors believe to be common problems in the design, installation and operation of DCV systems which use CO2 as a surrogate for occupancy levels.

Six HVAC systems were investigated: two commercial offices, two medical offices, and two school environments. The design drawings, air balance reports, and current equipment set up were investigated. Four systems were controlled locally through roof top unit control logic and two systems were controlled by central building energy management systems. Functional testing of equipment was carried out and system parameters were logged including CO2 levels, fans states, and air stream temperatures. Functional testing was broken up into three system aspects. First, CO2 control signal functional testing was conducted to confirm that the control link between CO2 sensors and outside air damper positioning was in place. Second, sensor placement functional testing was conducted to confirm that the sensors placement could accurately report the CO2 levels of the controlled zone. Third, the Outside Air (OSA) level test was conducted by inspecting the air balance reports to determine the OSA rates and to confirm that the system was balanced in accordance with DCV standards.

The study found that no systems were functioning properly for a number of reasons, some of which were overlapping. Reasons for non-functionality included poor sensor placement, improper information provided in mechanical schedules or design documents, fan cycling issues, and poor installation. Details on failure modes will be presented. Proper engineering documentation requirements will be explained. Test, Adjust, Balance (TAB) specifications and DCV specific requirements for TAB along with information that building operators need to know about system operation will be presented.

This is the overall publication schedule for the 2025 ASHRAE Annual Conference. For specific details and questions regarding these dates, please contact the appropriate Track Chair.