ATLANTA — ASHRAE is joining organizations and industry partners worldwide in recognizing World Refrigeration Day on June 26, highlighting the role of intelligent cooling technologies in improving refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump system performance.

The 2026 World Refrigeration Day theme, "Cool Intelligence," focuses on the technologies, expertise, and innovation helping cooling systems operate more efficiently, sustainably, and intelligently.

World Refrigeration Day is an international awareness campaign that promotes the importance of the refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump industry and its role in supporting health, food security, economic development, and quality of life.

According to ASHRAE, the concept of intelligent cooling extends beyond automation and digital tools. It includes artificial intelligence, advanced controls, data-driven optimization, and the expertise of engineers, technicians, and operators working to address energy, environmental, and resilience challenges.

"Intelligence in cooling goes beyond algorithms and automation, it is about applying knowledge, innovation and technology to create healthier, more sustainable environments," said Bill McQuade, 2025-26 ASHRAE president. "This year's World Refrigeration Day theme highlights how AI, digitalization and human expertise are working together to create smarter, more sustainable cooling solutions."

To support industry education, ASHRAE is encouraging professionals to explore its latest technical resources, including the 2026 ASHRAE Handbook—Refrigeration editions, which are available for preorder.

The organization also continues to support refrigeration education and workforce development through the ASHRAE-United Nations Environment Programme Portal, which provides technical resources, training materials, and guidance focused on sustainable cooling practices.

As part of its World Refrigeration Day activities, ASHRAE will feature emerging refrigeration technologies during its 2026 Annual Conference, scheduled for June 27 through July 1 in Austin, Texas.

Conference sessions will address several topics relevant to contractors, engineers, and refrigeration professionals, including:

• Low-global warming potential refrigerants and system redesign strategies; 
• Thermal storage applications for refrigerated warehousing;
• Refrigeration system optimization through industry-university collaboration; and
• Emerging cooling technologies that operate without traditional compressors

ASHRAE has supported World Refrigeration Day since the campaign's launch in 2019. The organization's 2026 activities highlight the increasing role of smart technologies, workforce expertise, and sustainable refrigeration practices in shaping the future of cooling.