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Category: News
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US EPA proposes tighter HFC restrictions
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has moved to restrict the use of many “super-pollutant” hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in new air conditioner and refrigeration systems, as well as in foams and aerosols. The proposal targets the use of HFCs above a certain global warming potential (GWP) and will require most new equipment to transition to lower-GWP […]
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Heat pump demand set to soar
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global sales of heat pumps are “set to soar to record levels” in coming years. The IEA’s recently released report, The Future of Heat Pumps, attributes strong growth in the heat pump market to falling costs and strong incentives. According to the report, global heat pump sales rose […]
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NABERS seeks input on embodied emissions framework
NABERS is seeking industry input on a new system for measuring and reporting on embodied emissions in buildings. Embodied emissions have become an increasing focus in the built environment as a wide range of stakeholders develop detailed plans for reaching net zero. Although the pathways to reducing scope 1 and 2 emissions – those emissions […]
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Australia gives Pacific Island RAC training a boost
AREMA and UNEP, supported by the Australian government, have commenced a project to help Pacific Island countries improve their training capacity on good servicing practices for refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) equipment. As a key part of the Montreal Protocol’s HCFC phase-out (which covers R22), 13 trainers from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Tonga, […]
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ARC working to increase uptake of Green Scheme
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) is promoting its Green Scheme Accreditation as an important tool to support the industry in transitioning to low-GWP refrigerants and a zero emissions future. “The Green Scheme is becoming the benchmark for industry and technicians while being formally recognised by various state governments as a means of demonstrating competence in […]
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ASBEC appoints new president
The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) has appointed new president Tanya Cox, as architect Professor Ken Maher AO steps down after seven years in the role. Cox is a non-executive director of various ASX-listed and unlisted boards. She is the former chair of the Green Building Council of Australia and World Green Building Council […]
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Government releases inaugural climate change statement
Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, has delivered the Australian Government’s first Annual Climate Change Statement, sharing progress and plans as the country works toward 2030 and 2050 emissions targets. The statement is a requirement of the Climate Change Act 2022, which Government says will provide “accountability and transparency” and the opportunity to engage […]
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Electrification the clear pathway to net zero
A new report from the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) confirms 100 per cent electrification is the lowest cost, fastest emissions reduction pathway for Australia’s built environment. Unlocking the pathway: Why electrification is the key to net zero buildings finds electrification would save $49 billion between 2024 and 2050 over the “business as usual” […]
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Reason prevails in mech services licence saga
After signs that air conditioning and refrigeration technicians in New South Wales could be excluded from key work when the new mechanical services licence goes live in March 2023, the government has confirmed that the scope of work for air conditioning and refrigeration technicians will not change with the introduction of the new licence. It […]
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Google spinoff raises funds in search of geothermal growth
As market demand surges, Dandelion, a Google spinoff company making geothermal heating and cooling for homes, has raised AUD$104 million (US$70 million) to grow its operations. Dandelion powers heat pumps using geothermal bores drilled into household backyards. As with other forms of geothermal, Dandelion taps a secure reservoir of heat in the winter, and in the summer, […]
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New guide aims to prevent ‘accident waiting to happen’
AIRAH’s Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Special Technical Group has released a free best practice guideline for the industry. Freely available to download from the AIRAH website, the guide highlights the fire risks associated with commercial kitchen exhaust systems and provides strategies for minimising these risks. Technical editor Vince Aherne, F.AIRAH, says that the specialist guide is […]
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CSIRO predicts more climate extremes
CSIRO has released its seventh biennial State of the Climate report, projecting that in coming decades Australians are likely to experience more heat and fewer cold extremes, as well as more time in drought, more dangerous fire days, and a longer fire season for large areas. The report draws on Australian and international climate research […]
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Sound advice on building tuning
A.G. Coombs has published an advisory note on the advantages of building tuning, and how to implement it effectively. The publication outlines why effective building tuning is important, as well as how to address instability within a control system and its causes, and some of the common pitfalls in tuning strategies. According to A.G. Coombs, […]
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Queensland fridgie wins national apprentice award
Air conditioning and refrigeration apprentice Jennah Halley has taken out the Apprentice of the Year award at the Australian Training Awards. The nation’s best apprentices, students, training providers, teachers and businesses were recognised for their hard work and dedication at the annual Australian Training Awards presentation, held in Adelaide at the Adelaide Convention Centre on […]
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Survey shows rising salaries in Australian HVAC&R
AIRAH has released the results of its 2022 salary survey, and they show that salaries are on the rise across the Australian HVAC&R industry. The survey provides a snapshot of employment, salaries and expectations across the sector. The 2022 survey also offers a comparison to the original AIRAH salary survey conducted in 2019 – before […]
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Winners announced at the 2022 AIRAH Awards
AIRAH has announced the winners of the AIRAH Awards 2022 at a gala dinner on November 24 at Luna Park in Sydney. Almost 200 industry leaders gathered on the night to celebrate the top people, projects and products of Australia’s HVAC&R sector. AIRAH says it has been working for many years to raise the profile […]
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Manufacturing breakthrough for thermoelectrics
University of Notre Dame researchers have developed a new manufacturing process that allows thermoelectric devices to be produced faster and at lower cost. The innovative process uses intense pulsed light to sinter thermoelectric material in less than a second, while conventional sintering in thermal ovens can take hours. This method of turning nanoparticle inks into flexible […]
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Occupational licensing due for an overhaul?
Overhauling occupational licensing in Australia and letting homeowners, renters and social-housing tenants move more easily for work could deliver tens of billions of dollars in productivity gains. That is the claim of a submission to the federal government’s employment white paper, developed by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA). In the submission, CEDA […]
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US tightens supply chain emissions reporting
The US Government is tightening its emissions reporting requirements, with its proposed Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Rule expanding to include Scope 3 emissions. The new rule requires major federal government contractors to report their Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, in a bid to protect the US Government’s supply chains from climate-related financial […]
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Designers tackle challenge of ‘true zero’ homes
Omnia House, by Elizabeth Wheeler of Future Focus Buildings and Tamar Boyd of Blue Lotus Energy Rating, has taken out the National Award for the Design Matters National (DMN) True Zero Carbon Challenge 2022. The DMN True Zero Carbon Challenge is an annual home design competition focused on net zero goals. A building designer and […]