The group will develop design guidance, performance metrics, and rating systems to integrate indoor environmental quality, energy efficiency, and other aspects of sustainable building performance.

"If you ask a group of engineers to look at a facility, you'll get a variety of opinions about how that building is performing in regard to energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and comfort," said Bryan R. Becker, Ph.D., P.E., a member of ASHRAE's Technical Activities Committee, which oversees Society technical committees. "Our goal is to develop metrics and rating systems that are repeatable, verifiable, and that can be utilized globally."

Those interested in joining the new group can e-mail MORTS@ASHRAE.net for further details. The group will work with other organizations to integrate HVACR systems with other building systems to enhance the effectiveness of total building design and integrated practice.

ASHRAE has some 100 technical committees, task groups, and technical resource groups. These committees drive the ASHRAE research program, support the development of standards, develop and sponsor technical seminars and symposiums for ASHRAE meetings, review and draft technical articles, special publications, and educational courses, and write the ASHRAE Handbook.

Publication date: 08/21/2006