ISHRAE, the "Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air-conditioning Engineers" was founded in 1981 in New Delhi by a group of eminent HVAC&R professionals. Between 1989 & 1993, ISHRAE Chapters were formed in all major cities in India and also in the Middle East. ISHRAE has grown rapidly and now has more than 3000 HVAC&R professionals as members in 11 chapters in India and abroad. The Delhi Chapter is the first and the oldest of the constituent chapters of ISHRAE and has about 700 members.

Organizing successful international and national exhibitions is one of ISHRAE’s major activities. Its primary objective is to further the arts and sciences of heating, refrigerating and air-conditioning. ISHRAE has successfully organized more than ten exhibitions out of which four have been in New Delhi.

ISHRAE is an associate of ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers). ISHRAE Foundation Trust was formed in 1995, mainly to consolidate the Society's resources and to channel them towards projects necessary for achievement of Aims and Objectives, as listed below.

Aims and Objectives

• Advancement in Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineering and related Sciences.
• Education of interested persons in said sciences through lectures, demonstrations and publications.
• Rendition of Career Guidance and Financial Assistance to students of said Sciences.
• Encouragement of Scientific Research.
• To establish facilities for testing, rating, certification of air-conditioning, refrigeration, and allied equipment and systems.
• To offer consultancy services in the areas of Education and Training in said sciences.
• To disseminate and make available to the Government, Industry, and General Public information relating to said sciences through papers, reports and periodic publications.

Priority Areas

Training

ISHRAE has recognised that training technical personnel is the single most important need at present, to improve the quality of HVAC & R work and raise it to meet ever-increasing customer expectations. It has also been felt that the existing manpower needs continuing education to equip them with the latest technology. This has become particularly relevant in the wake of globalisation of the Indian economy. Several industry leaders have also strongly expressed the need for such training.

Testing, Rating & Certification of Equipment and Devices

The last few years have seen a surge in manufacturing of both - major equipment as well as ancillaries and devices in the HVAC&R Industry. This has given rise to a need for a facility which will undertake testing, and will develop ratings which will help the industry establish reliable ratings and encourage development work.

Advisory Council

In addition to the Board of Trustees, an Advisory Council consisting of eminent persons in the fields of Air-Conditioning, Refrigeration and Allied fields, are to be formed to deliberate on the activities of the foundation.

Sustainable Development

ACREX INDIA 2010, which is Asia’s largest International Exhibition and Conference catering to Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Ventilation & Building Services Industry is organised by ISHRAE, endorsed by ASHRAE and supported by the Indian Green Building Council, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, and the Refrigeration & Air-conditioning Manufacturers Association amongst others.

ACREX INDIA 2010 was held at the Bombay Exhibition Centre from 17th - 20th February and brought together leading companies and technologies that focussed on energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and innovation in and products and services that are green and sustainable.

Highlights of the Exhibition:

• Exhibitors showcased products that conform to the Energy Conservation Building Code, 2007 of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency
• Solar Energy for Air-conditioning was featured by Mamata Energy of Ahmedabad
• The Indian Green Building Council (CII organization) and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (Govt. of India) were both supporting agencies that influence the development of the Industry and its products.
• ASHRAE (The American Society, with 55 000  members) endorsed ACREX for the 1st time with an active contribution to Workshops, Seminars and overall Promotion
• With substantial overseas participation, ACREX demonstrated India as a prime market for efficient products
• The event was produced professionally by UBM, a leading International Media and Exhibition Company

Workshop for BEE Energy Star

A Half day workshop on “Workshop for BEE Energy Star Labelling and Energy Efficiency Improvement in Buildings‟ has been organised by ISHRAE.

BEE Star labelling program for buildings has recently been launched by Bureau of Energy Efficiency, New Delhi, for evaluating the energy performance of buildings. There was a provision of issuing “Energy star labels" to buildings as per their energy efficiency, similar to the energy star labels for home appliances (e.g. air-conditioners, tube-lights). Energy audit studies in buildings have shown large potential for energy savings both in government and commercial office buildings.