ATLANTA—From the soaring Sandia Mountains to peacefully floating hot air balloons, Albuquerque is a city that’s used to setting its sights high—just like the heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and refrigerating engineers who focus on raising the standard for energy efficient and sustainable buildings.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), a leader in energy efficiency technology in the building industry, is an international not-for-profit association organized so that engineers may exchange technical information to improve the quality of life. The work of ASHRAE members keeps indoor environments comfortable and productive, delivers healthy food to consumers and preserves the outdoor environment.

On June 26-30, nearly 1,800 members of ASHRAE will gather in Albuquerque, N.M. for their Annual Conference. While attending the Conference, members will exchange technical information that will allow HVAC&R engineers to design and operate buildings, systems and equipment that are energy efficient and ensure safe, productive and healthy indoor environments. Such buildings are referred to as “sustainable” or “green” buildings in the industry.

People today spend an average of 90 percent of their time indoors,” Gordon Holness, ASHRAE president, said. “The technical guidance developed by ASHRAE in regard to heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration lowers energy costs for homeowners and building owners and operators and improves the overall quality of life for people around the world,”

According to the Visit Albuquerque, direct spending of the Conference is estimated to be over $1.5 million. The meeting, with its theme of Raising Efficiency to New Levels, takes place at the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Convention Center.

For guidance from ASHRAE regarding energy and indoor air quality, visit www.ashrae.org/consumer.