scope:

Readership, Scope & Limitations

The purpose of this book is to help technical professionals design, build and operate commercial and institutional and multi-unit residential buildings in hot and humid climates. If you are not a technical professional, or are interested principally in single-unit residential buildings, this book may meet fewer of your needs.

Background and Purpose

In October of 2006, after decades of professional practice in the hot and humid regions of North America and the Caribbean, and after trips to support ASHRAE's efforts in South Asia and the Middle East, Terry Townsend P.E., ASHRAE's President during 2006 and 2007, proposed that ASHRAE should answer three questions, and answer them quickly:

1. What should owners, Architects, HVAC designers, contractors and building operators all be thinking about when they build and operate air conditioned buildings-in a sustainable way-in hot and humid climates worldwide?

2. What are the few really critical issues for achieving excellence and long-term sustainability in these regions, as opposed to the thousands of critical-but-common issues for achieving excellence in any climate?

3. Most importantly, what sort of simple and practical suggestions can ASHRAE provide-which are focused clearly on hot and humid climates-to help busy and overworked professionals make better decisions about their buildings?

Because of the worldwide acceleration of construction in hot and humid climates, the ASHRAE Board was impressed with the importance and relevance of the questions, and also concerned that the answers were not immediately obvious. That concern led to the publication you hold in your hands.