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Author: Mark Vender
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TAFE NSW offers female-focused trade class
TAFE NSW Ultimo refrigeration section is seeking female participation in a Certificate II Electrotechnology Career Start course in 2021. The course is two days a week for six months. It provides students with key foundation skills and knowledge, and a sample of what the industry has to offer before they commit to a full apprenticeship. […]
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Video on flammability of A2L and A3 refrigerants
Chemical company Chemours has released a video titled Hydrocarbons: The Burning Truth, which looks at differences in flammability between A2L and A3 refrigerants. The video features Dr Scott Davis, CEO of Gexcon US, who explains the parameters impacting refrigerant flammability. These include how much of a gas is required for an ignition event to occur […]
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Plan for automatic licence recognition delayed
A proposal for automatic mutual recognition of state and territory occupational licences, which had been announced to commence on January 1, 2021, has been pushed out to July 1, 2021 after a meeting of the National Cabinet. Automatic mutual recognition is intended to improve labour mobility across jurisdictions by allowing individuals who hold an occupational […]
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States leading the way to a sustainable future
Industry groups have applauded the Victorian and NSW governments’ significant investments in harnessing the power of energy efficiency and social housing to create jobs and drive the economic recovery from COVID-19. The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC), Energy Efficiency Council (EEC), Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), Property Council of Australia, and, as a […]
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MHIAA makes it a threepeat in Choice awards
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioners Australia (MHIAA) has once again been recognised as the 2020 Best Brand of Air Conditioners by leading consumer advocacy group Choice. It’s the third year in a row that MHIAA has taken out the title. The annual recommendation is awarded to products or services that out-perform their competitors in rigorous lab […]
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Call for RAC subject matter experts
Although a new national training package for refrigeration and air conditioning has just been released, work is already starting on the next iteration. Two new units will be developed on variable refrigerant flow systems, and fire and smoke control systems. Australian Industry Standards (AIS) is looking for subject matter experts to help review and develop […]
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COVID-19 outbreaks prompt hospital HVAC audit
The Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority has commissioned engineering assessments of the HVAC systems within wards dedicated to suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients at 20 hospital sites over the next eight weeks. The assessment will work with health services to verify airflow rates, effectiveness of ventilation strategies adopted by hospitals, and any adjustments […]
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South Australia aims high for energy efficiency
Industry groups have applauded the South Australian government announcement that it will invest $60 million to improve the energy efficiency of government buildings. According to Dan van Holst Pellekaan, Minister for Energy and Mining, the commitment is the largest per capita stimulus investment of any Australian government in improving the energy efficiency of public buildings. […]
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AIRAH Awards 2020 winners announced
In a special online edition of its annual awards ceremony, AIRAH has announced the winners of the AIRAH Awards 2020. Held as the culmination of AIRAH’s Outlook 2020 international HVAC&R conference, the awards celebrated the leading people, projects and products in Australia’s HVAC&R industry across 11 categories. The winners’ list features some of Australia’s most […]
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Check licence requirements now, warns QBCC
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is alerting employees who perform air conditioning and refrigeration work for a licensed contractor that they must hold the relevant mechanical services occupational licence by January 1, 2022. Contractors who hold a mechanical services licence and have employees who perform mechanical services work are encouraged to discuss licensing […]
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Beijer Ref strengthens local manufacturing capability
Beijer Ref in Australia has announced the formation of SCM REF Australia, a Sydney-based OEM to service the Australian refrigeration industry. It is believed the move will support the company’s focus on sustainability and the development of environmentally friendly and natural refrigerant technology. “The investment is a significant injection into the Australian refrigeration industry and […]
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Has Australia hit ‘peak bank’?
A new version of the Cold Hard Facts report reveals that Australia’s HVAC&R sector may have hit “peak bank” for synthetic greenhouse gases (SGGs) in 2019–20. The total global warming potential (GWP) of the bank of synthetic greenhouse gases employed in refrigerating and air conditioning systems in Australia is predicted to have peaked in 2019–20 […]
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Company fined $500,000 for unlawfully importing HFCs
The largest fine ever issued under Australia’s ozone protection laws has been handed down to a Victorian-based fire protection company for the unlawful importation of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Following a civil prosecution from the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, this week the Federal Court of Australia found the company formerly known as Fire Protection Technologies […]
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Vote imminent on flammable standard
The votes are set to be counted on an updated international safety standard that would allow increased charge sizes of flammable refrigerants in household air conditioners, heat pumps and dehumidifiers. The proposal has sparked discussion in the world of HVAC&R. Although it would apply to A2, A2L and A3 refrigerants, the proposal has been framed […]
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Round table for Australia’s top ratings systems
Australia’s top ratings tools organisations will come together for a panel discussion at AIRAH’s Outlook 2020 Conference on November 10. The panel will feature Davina Rooney, CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), Carlos Flores, M.AIRAH, Director of the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS), and Jack Noonan, Vice President, Asia Pacific […]
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New GBCA tool aims to eliminate natural gas in buildings
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) is pushing to eliminate natural gas in buildings with the biggest overhaul of its Green Star rating system in 18 years. Launched today, as the first of the new suite of Green Star Future Focus tools, Green Star Buildings sets a clear new requirement that buildings must be […]
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South Australia to pilot dual-trade apprenticeship
Apprentices in South Australia will soon be able to complete both electrical and RAC qualifications concurrently, thanks to a new program. The Electrical, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician apprenticeship will run for five years. At the end of the program, graduates will have a Certificate III qualification in both electrical and RAC. “The dual-trade qualification […]
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EU riding a renovation wave to recovery
The European Commission has announced a Renovation Wave strategy to improve the energy performance of buildings and in the process cut emissions, boost recovery, and reduce energy poverty. Money for this work will be made available under the EU’s €750 billion COVID-19 recovery fund. The Commission aims to at least double renovation rates in the […]
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Winners announced in ARBS 2020 Industry Awards
ARBS has announced the winners of the ARBS 2020 Industry Awards in a gala online ceremony held on Wednesday, October 21. The awards celebrate and reward the exceptional work of the innovators in Australia’s HVAC&R industry, seeking out those individuals and organisations that have demonstrated a commitment to excellence and ingenuity in an ever-challenging climate. […]
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Germany pledges €500m for COVID-safe HVAC systems
The German government has announced a funding program worth up to €500 million (Au$836 million) to support the “Corona-compatible conversion” and upgrading of HVAC systems in public buildings. Lately, much attention has focused on how HVAC systems can mitigate the risk of COVID-19 spreading in indoor spaces. This includes measures such as increasing fresh air […]