ASHRAE, along with other organizations, government agencies and companies worldwide, will support the celebration of World Refrigeration Day 2024 (WRD 2024), June 26.
World Refrigeration Day is an international awareness campaign established to raise the profile of the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat-pump sector and focuses attention on the significant role that the industry and its technology play in modern life and society.
The theme of WRD 2024 is “Temperature Matters” and will explore the broad and vital impacts of the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump industry, extending beyond efficient cooling and heating to encompass crucial aspects of indoor environmental quality. The campaign will examine the fundamental laws of thermodynamics in an era characterized by escalating energy demands and climate change. Activities will emphasize how efficient temperature control fosters sustainable development and human comfort, while mitigating environmental impacts.
"ASHRAE acknowledges the vital role of heat pump technologies in global low-carbon heating strategies, endorsing their advancement and implementation to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy efficiency in the built environment," stated 2023-24 ASHRAE President Ginger Scoggins, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE. "This year’s World Refrigeration Day theme emphasizes the crucial importance of efficient temperature control for sustainable development and human comfort, spotlighting the industry's contributions to preserving food and medicine supply chains, ensuring effective heating, and creating healthier, more comfortable environments with improved air quality.”
WRD 2024 will showcase global initiatives and projects aimed at educating the public. ASHRAE and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have partnered to create the following web-based, interactive learning courses:
Energy Efficiency Literacy for Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems, 3.5 hours
This course is designed to educate policymakers, business leaders, and community stakeholders about the benefits of air conditioning and refrigeration, the scientific principles involved, and factors that contribute to maximum energy efficiency.
Refrigerants Literacy (SI), 4.5 hours
This course offers a basic understanding of refrigerant types, policies, classifications, and management practices. It is aimed at non-specialists in the field, such as facility managers, policymakers, and other individuals who are involved in refrigerant issues from a non-technical perspective. It also can serve as an introduction to refrigerant basics for those new to the industry. The course is available in English, Spanish, and French languages.
Refrigerant Management for New Engineers is a free university-level course developed by the UN Environment on Refrigerant Management and delivered by ASHRAE.
Visit the ASHRAE UNEP Portal for more information about these courses.
The 2024 ASHRAE Annual Conference, June 22-26, 2024 in Indianapolis, will highlight the following heat pump technology-related technical sessions and seminars:
In-person and virtual registration to attend the ASHRAE Annual Conference is open now.
ASHRAE will release a new guide in its decarbonization series. Decarbonizing Building Thermal Systems: A How-to-Guide for Heat Pump Systems and Beyond, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), is a guide that supports design engineers and building operators in commercial and multifamily buildings with decarbonization efforts. The guide covers application and sizing for various climate zones, system configuration, refrigerants, electrical requirements and control strategies for space and hot water applications. This guide will be available at ashrae.org/decarb.
Since 2019, ASHRAE has been a proud supporter of World Refrigeration Day. For additional WRD 2024 resources, visit ashrae.org/unep-wrd.