SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt — On Sept. 21-24, the Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) attended and sponsored ASHRAE Region-at-Large Chapter Regional Conference (CRC) in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Hosted by the ASHRAE Cairo Chapter, ASHRAE chapter members participated in technical workshops, training, and seminars. AHRI consultant Bassam Elassaad participated in the CRC on AHRI’s behalf and was invited to moderate the technical seminar entitled, “District Energy for Sustainable Development,” which was attended by the Egyptian Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Dr. Mohamed Fawzi El-Markabi. Elassaad also announced progress in the establishment of ARAMENA, an association of HVACR manufacturers in the Middle East and North Africa, developed with assistance from AHRI in response to the growing need for a representative body to be the voice of the industry in the region.
As standards, codes, and regulations are being developed around the world, ASHRAE and AHRI continue to advocate the adoption and reference of both organizations’ standards that are designed to be complementary. AHRI and ASHRAE together comprise a sizable global technical body of knowledge on test methods, testing and rating standards, and minimum energy performance standards for HVACR equipment. These standards, coupled with AHRI’s certification program, provide a valuable path to compliance for global regulators to cost-effectively verify the energy efficiency claims of equipment in their markets.