The leading news platform for Australia’s HVAC&R industry
REB26: Opportunities in a carbon-constrained built environment
Increasingly, achieving net zero in Australia’s built environment is framed as a retrofit challenge. And although the scale of that challenge is large, the inaugural Reshaping Existing Buildings Conference focused on the opportunities, exploring solutions and sharing real-world success stories that reclaim the value in our assets.
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News
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Call for mandated data centre energy and water efficiency
A new report from the Climate Council is calling for improved planning and policy to ensure improvements to energy efficiency and water efficiency in data centre developments.
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REB26: Opportunities in a carbon-constrained built environment
Increasingly, achieving net zero in Australia’s built environment is framed as a retrofit challenge. And although the scale of that challenge is large, the inaugural Reshaping Existing Buildings Conference focused on the opportunities, exploring solutions and sharing real-world success stories that reclaim the value in our assets.
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NSW school study reinforces IAQ concerns
The University of NSW (UNSW) has released the findings of a study monitoring air quality conducted at 59 schools across Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.
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Heat warning issued for the world
The briefing: a selection of the latest research, reports and commentary mapping the escalating trajectory of climate change.
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Update on Refrigerant Product Stewardship Scheme Review
Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) and Nous Group have thanked the industry for contributing to the independent RRA Product Stewardship Scheme Review and outlined the next steps in the process.
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See cool intelligence in action at Woolworths
As part of World Refrigeration Day celebrations on June 26, 2026, Woolworths is holding behind the scenes tours.
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Beyond bulky waste: Australia’s growing end-of-life appliance challenge
End-of-life household appliances are placing growing pressure on councils, industry and recovery systems as environmental risks, refrigerant management and disposal obligations become increasingly complex. General Manager of Refrigerant Reclaim Australia, Kylie Farrelley, reports on discussions at the Waste 2026 Conference.
Events
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Cool intelligence for flammable refrigerants – celebrating WRD
To mark World Refrigeration Day on June 26, Australian HVAC&R industry bodies are holding a free webinar to share information about flammable refrigerants.
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REB26: Opportunities in a carbon-constrained built environment
Increasingly, achieving net zero in Australia’s built environment is framed as a retrofit challenge. And although the scale of that challenge is large, the inaugural Reshaping Existing Buildings Conference focused on the opportunities, exploring solutions and sharing real-world success stories that reclaim the value in our assets.
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The best of Good Design
The 2025 Good Design Award winners have been announced, with more than 1,100 new products and designs selected and awarded from 49 countries.
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See cool intelligence in action at Woolworths
As part of World Refrigeration Day celebrations on June 26, 2026, Woolworths is holding behind the scenes tours.
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2026 EEC Award winners
The 2026 Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) Awards winners were announced at a gala dinner during the EEC National Conference (May 27–28 in Sydney).
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Circular thinking takes centre stage at REB26
Professor Usha Iyer-Raniga, keynote speaker at the upcoming Reshaping Existing Buildings Conference, offers a preview of her presentation and shares her thoughts on improving circularity in Australia.
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Retrofit and EnerPHit Month
The Australian Passivhaus Association (APA) is running a national “Retrofit and EnerPHit Month” campaign until mid-June, with a range of events on the agenda.
Regulations
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New Zealand’s MEPs for AC now in effect
Air conditioning units and heat pumps imported into New Zealand or manufactured in NZ must now comply with new energy efficiency requirements developed by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).
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New NCC 2025 CPD and tutor materials available
New continuing professional development (CPD) and tutor materials have been made available to support both industry-based learning and formal education delivery with the updated NCC 2025 requirements.
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Dismay at US decision to relax HFC restrictions
HVAC&R industry groups and environmental activists alike have strongly criticised the US government’s decision to roll back restrictions on HFCs.
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Updated refrigerant designations
ASHRAE and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have released an updated refrigerant designations and safety classifications fact sheet.
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RPEQ renewal now due
HVAC&R engineering practitioners working in Queensland need to ensure they renew their RPEQ registration before the closing date of May 31, 2026.
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Have your say on refrigerant recovery
A survey on industry engagement with Refrigerant Reclaim Australia’s takeback and disposal program is seeking input from facilities managers and engineers.
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NSW eyeing minimum energy efficiency standards for rentals
The NSW government is seeking feedback on introducing minimum energy efficiency standards for rental homes.
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Features
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Call for mandated data centre energy and water efficiency
A new report from the Climate Council is calling for improved planning and policy to ensure improvements to energy efficiency and water efficiency in data centre developments.
-
Heat warning issued for the world
The briefing: a selection of the latest research, reports and commentary mapping the escalating trajectory of climate change.
-
Beyond bulky waste: Australia’s growing end-of-life appliance challenge
End-of-life household appliances are placing growing pressure on councils, industry and recovery systems as environmental risks, refrigerant management and disposal obligations become increasingly complex. General Manager of Refrigerant Reclaim Australia, Kylie Farrelley, reports on discussions at the Waste 2026 Conference.
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Portfolios scale up ambition in NABERS 2026 SPI
For eight years, the NABERS Sustainable Portfolios Index (SPI) has been creating a league table for property’s heavy hitters, showcasing progress across energy efficiency, decarbonisation, electrification, water, waste and Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ).
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CSIRO goes to the edge with CO2 cooling
Data centre developments often come under fire for their massive thirst, competing with communities, agriculture and nature for both groundwater and surface water supplies. CSIRO’s new data centre project in Queensland, however, is utilising advanced cooling solutions to conserve precious H2O.
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Profitability, practicality and productivity win, but IAQ missed out
AIRAH welcomes many positive measures in the 2026 Budget, including those specifically supporting the engineering, property and construction sectors.
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Updated guidance on flammable refrigerants
AIRAH has launched a revised Flammable Refrigerant Safety Guide, in collaboration with Refrigerant Reclaim Australia and Refrigerants Australia, and with support from the ARBS Foundation.
Business
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Refrigerant-free heat pump heading for market
A German startup plans to commercialise an electrocaloric heat pump design.
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Innovation in adiabatic cooling
EVAPCO designs out mechanical pumps in new adiabatic system, reducing long-term operational costs and lowering water consumption.
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Tools of the Trade grant
Business insurance service BizCover has launched a year-long grant initiative designed to support trade students across Australia with the cost of essential equipment.
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Nearly $100 million allocated for collaborative R&D
The Australian Research Council’s latest funding round is helping university researchers and industry collaborate on some of Australia’s most urgent challenges.
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Scaling up electric refrigerated transport
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has announced an investment of up to $10 million to support the roll out of low-emissions electric transport refrigeration.
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Is HVAC&R becoming a two-speed market?
Global research and consulting organisation BSRIA’s latest publications suggests the global cooling and heat pump market is showing signs of pressure.
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Midea presents latest tech at MCE 2026
Midea Building Technologies (MBT) unveiled a suite of new HVAC&R solutions at MCE 2026 (Mostra Convegno Expocomfort) including data center cooling, VRF systems, heat pump applications, and integrated building management.