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AIRAH is inviting readers of HVAC&R News Journal and the HVAC&R News website to take part in a brief survey, which will help shape the future direction and content of the magazine and website.
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News
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Give us your two bobs’ worth!
AIRAH is inviting readers of HVAC&R News Journal and the HVAC&R News website to take part in a brief survey, which will help shape the future direction and content of the magazine and website.
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World Ozone Day: marking a decade of the Kigali amendment
September 16 marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. In 2026, with the theme “Global action for a cooler planet”, the international community reflects on a decade of progress.
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Make you sure have a license to thrive
It’s tough enough running a trade business without copping avoidable expenses like fines for non-compliance. With the Commonwealth Penalty Units recently increasing, the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has issued a timely reminder to all ARC permit holders.
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Japan’s human refrigerator
With new predictions that Australia is facing its “hottest ever” summer this year, perhaps Japan’s invention of a “human refrigerator” has come at a great time.
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Solstice Advanced Materials launches R-134a retrofit concept
Specialty materials manufacturer Solstice Advanced Materials has launched an aftermarket solution that will enable the conversion of existing R-134a vehicle air conditioning systems to Solstice® YF (R-1234yf).
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Farewell Climate Active – but what next?
Have your say: The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is holding a consultation on the closing of the Climate Active carbon neutral certification scheme.
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Gem of an opportunity for an apprentice
Tools of the trade are a major expense for apprentices, which is why a Melbourne jewellery workshop is offering a $3000 grant.
Events
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National Tradie Day
National Tradie Day on Friday, September 18, celebrates and spotlights the skilled individuals and essential businesses across the trades sector.
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Weaving connections, shining a light
Founder of World Refrigeration Day Stephen Gill has launched a new initiative, Global HVACR Women Week, which will happen from October 25–31, 2026. The message for the week is: “Local voices. Global connections. One HVACR community.” Gill will also be coming to Australia that week and is a keynote speaker at AIRAH’s Women of AIRAH Summit on October 27 in Melbourne.
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The overlooked emissions
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) is hosting a workshop in association with AIRAH on Tuesday, October 13 about the key challenges and practical solutions to refrigerants in building design.
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An electrifying issue
In a world where extreme weather events are on the rise and more pressure is being put on the electricity grid, renters and apartment dwellers are among the groups commonly being left behind in the electrification process.
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David Norman’s legacy celebrated in Towards Net Zero competition
One of the first engineers in Australia to champion sustainable buildings, David Norman, is being celebrated with a $10,000 prize for AIRAH’s inaugural Towards Net Zero competition.
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IAQ: If you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it
Public awareness of indoor air quality (IAQ) has been growing since the COVID pandemic brought it to the forefront of everyone’s mind. However, experts say much work still needs to be done.
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Finding a career with purpose
Reflecting on the recent Women in STEM VE Conference at RMIT during National Science Week.
Regulations
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World Ozone Day: marking a decade of the Kigali amendment
September 16 marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. In 2026, with the theme “Global action for a cooler planet”, the international community reflects on a decade of progress.
-
Make you sure have a license to thrive
It’s tough enough running a trade business without copping avoidable expenses like fines for non-compliance. With the Commonwealth Penalty Units recently increasing, the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has issued a timely reminder to all ARC permit holders.
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New ventilation rules take effect in NZ
Aotearoa (New Zealand) has adopted the Fifth Edition of G4/AS1 for building consent applications, with HVAC&R contractors now expected to use the new edition.
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Improving the reliability of energy ratings for air conditioning
Revisions are now likely to the standard underpinning air conditioner seasonal energy efficiency performance, following a review by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
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NSW lays down the rules for data centre developments
The NSW Government has released a framework and guidelines to put energy efficiency, water efficiency and community benefit priorities in place for new data centre developments.
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Next step in transforming development approaches in NSW
What the NSW Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Bill 2026 means for HVAC&R professionals.
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UNEP OzonAction releases briefing notes on life-cycle refrigerant management options
UN Environment Programme (UNEP) OzonAction has released three briefing notes to assist industry with managing refrigerants across their life cycle.
Features
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Weaving connections, shining a light
Founder of World Refrigeration Day Stephen Gill has launched a new initiative, Global HVACR Women Week, which will happen from October 25–31, 2026. The message for the week is: “Local voices. Global connections. One HVACR community.” Gill will also be coming to Australia that week and is a keynote speaker at AIRAH’s Women of AIRAH Summit on October 27 in Melbourne.
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An electrifying issue
In a world where extreme weather events are on the rise and more pressure is being put on the electricity grid, renters and apartment dwellers are among the groups commonly being left behind in the electrification process.
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Engineering the oil-free future
Manfred Jarchow, M.AIRAH, Technical Business Development Manager, Aureacor, explains the rise of oil-free magnetic levitation in Australian chiller design, and how a strategic global partnership and a homegrown design authority are paving the path to strict NCC 2025 readiness and high-efficiency NABERS alignment.
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Is the VFD hiding a dirty filter?
Adam Gill and Dr Wichai Pattanapol from Polar Dynamix explain the relationship between filter grime, energy demand and why VFDs may conceal the issues, illustrating their case with the results of a recent modelling study.
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NSW lays down the rules for data centre developments
The NSW Government has released a framework and guidelines to put energy efficiency, water efficiency and community benefit priorities in place for new data centre developments.
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IAQ: If you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it
Public awareness of indoor air quality (IAQ) has been growing since the COVID pandemic brought it to the forefront of everyone’s mind. However, experts say much work still needs to be done.
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New metric for cooling degree days
As climate change shifts weather patterns around the world, researchers have recognised that new metrics may be needed to reflect cooling efficiency and better inform energy demand strategies.
Business
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Modine to become Modexus Solutions
Thermal management and solutions company Modine is set for a rebrand as Modexus Solutions after completing the spinoff of its Performance Technologies business, now merging with Gentherm.
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Frascold launches semi-hermetic ammonia compressor
Italian compressor manufacturer Frascold has launched a new semi-hermetic ammonia screw compressor range called “Aluminium”.
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Farewell Climate Active – but what next?
Have your say: The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is holding a consultation on the closing of the Climate Active carbon neutral certification scheme.
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Gem of an opportunity for an apprentice
Tools of the trade are a major expense for apprentices, which is why a Melbourne jewellery workshop is offering a $3000 grant.
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Engineering the oil-free future
Manfred Jarchow, M.AIRAH, Technical Business Development Manager, Aureacor, explains the rise of oil-free magnetic levitation in Australian chiller design, and how a strategic global partnership and a homegrown design authority are paving the path to strict NCC 2025 readiness and high-efficiency NABERS alignment.
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Panasonic launches outdoor CO2 refrigerant condensing units for the Singapore market
Panasonic HVAC & Cold Chain has launched outdoor CO2 refrigerant condensing units for the Singapore market.
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New controller for professional blast chiller
Control solutions manufacturer CAREL has released a new controller for professional blast chillers.