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Category: News
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Results of major RAC testing project revealed
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has published the complete results of its refrigeration and air conditioning bench-testing project. It clearly demonstrates that preventative maintenance minimises technology failure, reduces refrigerant leaks, and increases the energy efficiency of properly installed equipment. The project is the next stage of a much larger […]
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Sunshine Coast considers urban forests for cooling
A study is under way to investigate the “hot spots” of the Sunshine Coast and explore how urban forests can minimise heat risks. The Cool Urban Forests project is being delivered through the University of the Sunshine Coast and Sunshine Coast Council’s Regional Partnership Agreement. Project lead Dr Silvia Tavares, a UniSC Senior Lecturer in […]
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New path for PV-powered cooling
An Australian-Indian group of researchers is exploring the combined use of thermoelectric modules (TEMs) and rooftop photovoltaics (PV) in HVAC for buildings. Using air as the thermal fluid for the rooftop PV, the scientists designed a system that uses a primary TEM wall to deliver room air conditioning. Traditionally, TEMs have not been used in […]
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Buildings and construction failing net zero challenge
The 2022 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction has been released at COP27, containing alarming news for the sector. Overall, it indicates that after a temporary drop in emissions during the pandemic, emissions have hit an all-time high. This has been driven by increases in construction that have wiped out improvements in energy efficiency. […]
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Dodgy short courses are no more, says ARC
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) says it has put the kibosh on dodgy RTOs that issue spurious qualifications. According to the ARC, tell-tale signs of inadequacy for these so-called qualifications are course length – typically two days when a minimum of 360 hours has been deemed necessary – and inappropriate reliance on recognition of prior […]
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Women in cooling survey reveals global challenges
The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) has published a new report surveying 810 women worldwide working in the HVAC&R sector, to better understand their careers, challenges, motivation, and opportunities. According to the report, more than 15 million people are employed worldwide in the HVAC&R industry, with the under-representation of women evidenced by the fact that […]
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Global award to recognise lower GWP innovation
Entries are open for the ASHRAE and OzonAction of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) 2022 Lower GWP Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Innovation Award. According to ASHRAE, the award promotes innovative design, research, and practice. It recognises people who have developed or implemented innovative technological concepts applied in developing countries to minimise global warming potential (GWP) through […]
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HVAC exhaust can boost rooftop crops
Researchers have found that planting vegetables crops near vents exhausting carbon dioxide-rich air can produce up to four times more growth. The farming system, known as BIG GRO, takes a sustainable waste resource that exists in excess in cities – human respiration – and applies it to farming. Conducted on the roof of the […]
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Building industry ready to lead decarbonisation efforts
A coalition of 25 major building industry organisations has issued a statement at COP27 pledging to assume a leadership role in decarbonisation efforts in the built environment. The statement, the Building Industry Steps Up to Address Climate Change, is addressed to government representatives that are parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Changes […]
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Unprecedented weather for Australia and world
As parts of Australia had their wettest spring on record, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced that the Earth has just experienced its warmest eight-year period on record. Through mid-October, parts of Australia were experiencing unprecedented precipitation. On October 6, Sydney had received about 2,213mm of rainfall for the year, surpassing the previous record of 2,194mm […]
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NABERS on the march
NABERS’ FY22 annual report has confirmed a positive outlook for the successful ratings system, with more customers, more non-mandated ratings, and tools for more sectors. Growth in the NABERS platform was seen across the board. There were increases in Shopping Centre ratings (12.5 per cent), Waste for Offices ratings (72 per cent), Carbon Neutral ratings […]
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World grapples with refrigerant transition
A special international publication has collected perspectives from around the globe on the transition to low-GWP refrigerants under the Kigali Amendment. With the help of local experts, it reveals how the HFC phase-down is tracking, the major challenges so far, and the potential solutions. The Kigali Amendment aims to phase down HFC production worldwide by […]
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Summit takes on decarbonisation and disaster resilience
After a two-year hiatus from holding an in-person event, the Sustainability Summit and Awards has returned in a new hybrid format. As both an in-person event held in Sydney and an online broadcast via livestream, the event provides traditional networking opportunities while maintaining the previous years’ remote accessibility. Slated for November 10, the summit will […]
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Unequal economic impact of extreme heat
A new research article linking economic growth and extreme heat has highlighted that the worst impacted communities will likely be the least culpable when it comes to man-made climate impacts. According to researchers Christopher W. Callahan and Justin S. Mankin, “global inequality is both a cause and consequence of the unequal burden of climate change”. […]
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Worker shortage key concern for contractors
A recent report found that a shortage of skilled labour and supply chain disruptions are two of the major business issues impacting specialty contractors, with the skills shortage predicted to worsen. Released by construction management software provider Procore Technologies, in partnership with Dodge Construction Network, the 2022 Top Business Issues for Specialty Contractors Report aims […]
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Number of ARC-licenced technicians passes 100,000
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has announced that the total number of licensed HVAC&R technicians in Australia has topped the 100,000 mark, and has hailed this as a sign of continuing growth in the industry throughout Australia. The ARC confirms that more than 100,000 individuals now hold an ARCtick refrigerant handling licence (RHL). If refrigerant […]
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SA winery completes sustainable refrigeration upgrade
Jim Barry Wines recently upgraded its refrigeration plant to improve both the quality of its riesling, and also the operation’s environmental sustainability. Temperature control is a critical parameter in quality wine production, and is especially important operation in South Australian wineries, given the warm climate. Refrigeration addresses this need, but at a cost: it is […]
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Budget offers steady start, says AIRAH
AIRAH has welcomed the Federal Budget as a “steady first step” towards Australia’s longer-term goals. Among the investments announced were many aimed at addressing the housing crisis in Australia. Under the new National Housing Accord, the government expects one million new homes to be built over five years from 2024. The Accord also includes funding […]
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Better meetings for better business
Sustainable leadership drives long-lasting economic, social, and environmental benefits for businesses, says the Institute for Sustainable Leadership (ISL), which has launched a new microcourse on leading better meetings. The ISL says that while meeting management may seem like a small procedural detail, it affects a range of other practices that influence performance, including employee engagement, […]
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Refrigerant management key to curbing emissions
Fluorocarbon emissions equivalent to 90 billion tonnes of CO2 could be avoided through minimising refrigerant leaks and maximising recovery and reclamation, according to a new report from US agencies. The report, The 90 Billion Ton Opportunity: Lifecycle Refrigerant Management, estimates that better life-cycle management can prevent fluorocarbon emissions equal to nearly three full years of global […]