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Category: News
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Bans on horizon for common refrigerants
All eyes are on a European proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that may result in bans on many widely used refrigerants. Alex Pachai, who chairs the Eurammon technical committee, the International Institute of Refrigeration working group on safety, and the industrial heat pump manufacturer’s group at the Danish Heat Pump Association, explains […]
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RAC apprentices eligible for new ‘clean energy’ payment
Refrigeration and air conditioning apprentices are now eligible for additional financial support thanks to the trade’s reclassification as a “clean energy” job in the updated Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. The priority list identifies occupations for the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System, which provides support payments for both apprentices and their employers. The latest priority list also […]
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NSW government targets women in trades
The NSW government plans to invest more than $20 million over three years to attract more women into the construction industry, hoping to see women in 15 per cent of trade and non-traditional roles by 2030. The Women in Construction Industry Innovation Program (IIP) is a grant funding initiative that aims to deliver projects aligned […]
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Expert guide to achieving net zero by 2040
UNSW experts have produced a guide to help the construction industry achieve net zero in the built environment by 2040, contemplating not only operational emissions, but also embodied carbon and the entire life-cycle of building materials. Race to Net Zero Carbon: A Climate Emergency Guide for New and Existing Buildings in Australia details information about […]
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Tool to support move away from gas boilers
The Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity (A2EP) has launched an online estimation tool designed to aid Australian businesses in sizing heat pumps to replace gas boilers in a bid to reduce skyrocketing energy costs and decarbonise operations to meet net zero targets. A2EP notes that although the implementation of industrial heat pumps is growing rapidly […]
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New material adapts heat emission for energy savings
Chicago University researchers have designed a building material that adjusts its emission of infrared colour and heat according to outdoor temperatures, which could provide low-energy temperature regulation for buildings. In a recent paper published in Nature Sustainability, researchers explained that their non-flammable electrochromic building material contains a layer that can reversibly shift between solid […]
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Gender segregation worsening in critical industries
Australian construction and engineering industries continue to have a high level of occupational gender segregation despite more women entering the workforce, according to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA). Occupational gender segregation occurs when an occupation is dominated by either male or female workers. According to CEDA, this is worsening in critical industries […]
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Updated advice on indoor air quality
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) with support from AIRAH has released an updated handbook on indoor air quality. The handbook, last updated in 2021, has been revised to align with NCC 2022 and assist in understanding the indoor air quality (IAQ) verification methods in NCC Volume One and Volume Two. “The handbook contains explanations […]
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NSW strengthens fire safety regulations
The NSW government has made important changes to its fire safety regime to address shortcomings of the system. The Fire Safety Regulation 2022, published in December 2022, requires engineers to seek comment from the Fire Commissioner when developing performance solutions for Class 2–9 buildings, ensuring that the NSW fire authority is more engaged in the […]
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Updated guide on condensation management
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has released an updated condensation management guide that explains the new provisions in the 2022 version of the National Construction Code (NCC 2022). NCC 2022 will be adopted by states and territories on May 1, 2023, with some requirements – including those relating to condensation management – commencing on […]
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Air conditioning costs to cause discomfort
Melbourne-based startup Conry Tech is highlighting the increased costs of air conditioning this year, and predicts this will bring mainstream attention to what is typically an invisible issue. Conry Tech CEO and co-founder Sam Ringwaldt, M.AIRAH, estimates that power bills for air conditioning will be over $12.4 billion in 2023, given recent energy price rises. […]
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A clearer view of Australia’s commercial building stock
A new national report on energy consumption of buildings has revealed that Australia’s commercial building stock is almost double what was previously thought – and offers important signposts for the journey towards net zero. The 2022 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Baseline Study, published by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), […]
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Final report from ASHRAE Global HVAC&R Summit released
The final report from the ASHRAE Global HVAC&R Summit held in Istanbul, Turkey last October has been released by the US-based engineering association. “The Summit was designed to create an environment of collaboration and strategic dialogue to address the critical issues of the day, which were determined via the results of an international survey developed […]
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Call for facility management summit speakers
The Facility Management Association (FMA) invites speakers to submit presentations for its national summit, Compliance and Regulation in FM, to be held in Melbourne, March 28. The summit will explore the latest in compliance practices, trends and requirements through presentations and panels. The day will comprise two half-day sessions, focusing on regulations in the morning […]
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Flame war ignites over gas stoves
A new report highlighting the health impacts from gas stoves and the subsequent suggestion of potential product bans has sparked radical reactions in the US. The brouhaha began with the release of a study from the Rocky Moutain Institue (RMI), which links gas stoves in US homes to 13 per cent of the country’s childhood […]
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AC installation rules changing in SA
As a result of demand response requirements, installation rules for air conditioners functions are set to change in South Australia from July 1, 2023. From July 1, technicians must not install or connect certain air conditioners unless they comply with the demand response requirements in the Technical Regulator’s new guideline. Air conditioners covered by these […]
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Leaders in environmental protection recognised
Dr Helen Tope and Michael Bennett have been recognised for their work in environmental protection and the HVAC&R industry. Dr Tope was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her service to environmental protection, particularly of the ozone layer, through leadership, research and policy development. Dr Tope has worked on aerosols […]
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Property Council appoints new Chief Executive
The Property Council of Australia has announced the appointment of Mike Zorbas as the new Chief Executive of the organisation. Zorbas has jointly acted in the Chief Executive role since December. He previously served as Group Head of Government, Media and Industry Affairs at Lendlease Australia, Group Head of Strategy and Corporate Communications at Grocon, […]
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New cooling technology harnesses ions
Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory claim to have developed a new cooling method, which they have named “ionocaloric cooling”. In a recent paper published in Science, researchers explained that ions in solution can be used to control the melting and crystallisation of a material, creating an ionocaloric cycle. Existing and […]
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ABCB seeking refrigeration case studies
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has released a request for tender for case studies and analysis of energy efficiency for refrigerated spaces. This work will help determine whether such spaces will become regulated through the National Construction Code (NCC). The case studies will be site-specific, providing illustrative examples across the range of types of […]