Papers are being sought for a conference focused on energy and indoor air quality in humid and arid hot climates. Organized by ASHRAE, the ASHRAE Qatar Oryx Chapter, and Qatar University, the Second International Conference on Energy and Indoor Environment for Hot Climates takes place Feb. 26-27, 2017, in Doha, Qatar.

The Gulf region in general and Qatar in particular is experiencing an escalation in high energy demands primarily because of mega-construction projects. This demand can be lessened by energy-efficient HVACR system designs presented at the conference, according to Walid Chakroun, conference chair.

“The region faces the challenge to produce high-efficiency system designs with sustainable alternatives to R-22 technologies,” Chakroun said. “This conference addresses that challenge and sets the path for a better understanding the integration of energy efficiency and indoor air quality in high ambient temperature regions. The conference has the objectives to lower energy use and to address the impact of low-energy design on occupant health in different building sectors, for both developed and developing economies.”

Abstracts (400 words in length) are due Aug. 1. 2016. If accepted, papers are due Oct. 10, 2016. Authors of accepted papers are responsible for travel and registration. Hotel accommodations are free for authors presenting papers. Submittal information can be found at www.ashrae.org/HotClimates.

Topics include but are not limited to:

• Indoor air quality systems

• Lessons learned from IAQ systems in developing countries

• Air conditioning and refrigerating systems

• Sustainability in buildings

• Energy and sustainable development

• Healthy indoor environment protocols

• Renewable energy technologies

• Indoor environmental pollution sources

• Air cleaner performance

• Advances in filter materials

• Low emitting materials for better IAQ

• Standards, codes, and regulations

In addition, panel discussions are included with experts and decision makers where recommendations and ideas for research can be generated for better design and preserving healthy environments. Keynote speakers will focus on different aspects of indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency.