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Category: News
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Collective push for higher standards in NCC 2022
More than 100 organisations have signed a joint statement supporting the lifting of energy standards in the 2022 National Construction Code (NCC). The document has been sent to federal and state and territory ministers ahead of a meeting in late August, where it is expected a final decision will be made on raising minimum energy […]
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New IAQ study from Daikin
A new indoor air quality study from Daikin has revealed more than half of Australians have experienced health issues due to poor air quality at home. The company says its Understanding indoor air quality in Australian homes research shows that humid conditions, poor ventilation and a lack of awareness on how to improve air quality […]
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Optimising commercial refrigeration and cooling equipment
The Victorian government has published a guide to optimising the performance of commercial refrigeration and cooling equipment. Aimed at end-users, it contains information on refrigerant gases, energy use, and a maintenance checklist for typical equipment. “Refrigeration and cooling systems can use a lot of energy and, if not properly maintained, may leak refrigerants,” reads the […]
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Landmark Australian ventilation study
A recent City of Melbourne research project has found that simple changes to ventilation systems can significantly decrease the transmission of COVID-19 and reduce energy consumption in office buildings. The City of Melbourne BREATH pilot tested and evaluated three different ventilation systems in a vacant CBD building over three months: displacement ventilation air conditioning, in-ceiling […]
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Sensory heating and cooling mattress promotes sleep
Bioengineers at the University of Texas in Austin, USA, have developed a sensory heating and cooling mattress and pillow system that can help people fall asleep. It is designed to manipulate bodily temperatures through sensors connected to the skin. Research fellow at Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Shahab […]
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Bill Gates backs green air conditioning startup
Software billionaire Bill Gates is investing in air conditioning startup Blue Frontier, a company that aims to develop technology that will improve air conditioning efficiency and reduce harmful environmental impacts. Blue Frontier has received a $20 million round of funding, with backers including Bill Gates’ investment fund Breakthrough Energy Ventures, among others. According to its […]
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Quick wins for energy-efficiency upgrades
A team from UNSW Sydney supported by the federal government has released a series of case studies that highlight the biggest opportunities for energy efficiency savings in existing commercial buildings. The project originated with the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (now DCCEEW), which sought to develop case studies showcasing the top low-cost options […]
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NABERS expands to warehouses and cold stores
NABERS has confirmed that its energy rating tool for warehouses and cold stores will launch in September 2022. The new tool represents a step forward for this sector being able to manage and gain recognition for environmental performance and progress towards net zero emissions. According to NABERS, there has been a lot of buzz around […]
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Marine life inspires dynamic buildings
Researchers from the University of Toronto have created a new, low-cost “optofluidic” system that could help buildings save energy by dynamically changing the appearance of their exteriors. The research is inspired by marine life such as krill, shrimp and crabs. Master’s student in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, Raphael Kay, compares the new technology […]
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Australian research project to focus on IAQ
The Australian Research Council has confirmed $5 million in funding for a new training centre to reduce airborne infections through improved indoor air quality for better public health in new building systems. The project, backed by various universities and industry partners – including many from the HVAC&R sector – will be led by QUT Distinguished […]
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US report makes compelling case for heat pumps
A new report focusing on heating and cooling in US homes argues that transitioning from the existing heating systems and one-way air conditioners to two-way heat pumps could slash emissions CO2 emissions by 67Mt and cut national heating costs by US$13.6 billion. The report, Combating High Fuel Prices with Hybrid Heating, advocates for households to […]
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Cooler buildings with rooftop wrapping
Researchers at Northeastern University have developed a new method of cooling buildings by wrapping rooftops in “cooling paper”. They believe the material could lower carbon emissions, electricity bills and reduce the need for air conditioning. College of Engineering professor Yi Zheng and PhD researcher Andrew Caratenuto started a company called Planck Energies to test the cooling paper in […]
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New mech services licensing coming to NSW
The NSW government is preparing to implement a new licensing system for mechanical services in October 2022. The changes were prompted by the need for medical gases licensing, but also include provisions that impact mechanical services workers across refrigeration, air conditioning and plumbing. The Building Amendment (Mechanical Services and Medical Gas Work) Bill 2020 amends […]
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Winners announced in Cooling Solutions Challenge
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the winners of the Cooling Solutions Challenge prize competition. The initiative offered a total of US$195,000 (AU$290,000), for climate-friendly cooling innovations to protect people against extreme heat. Solutions were sought to help first responders, individuals, households, or displaced populations keep cool during extreme heat events, which […]
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Government backs hydrogen for home heating
Representatives from Victorian and federal governments were present for the unveiling of two new technologies from Rinnai Australia that are designed with future energy in mind. The first is a continuous flow hot water system developed by Rinnai Japan for the domestic market, which uses 100 per cent hydrogen combustion technology. Rinnai plans to start […]
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Australian HVAC&R inventor receives national recognition
Ron Conry, L.AIRAH, has been awarded the Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the HVAC&R industry, in particular the development of the high-speed and oil-free centrifugal compressor. A refrigeration technician by trade, Conry started in the industry in the 1960s. He worked for around 25 years with traditional HVAC&R equipment, before […]
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Thermal storage system based on sand
The world’s first commercial sand-based thermal energy storage system has been developed to back up a heating network in Finland. Technology company Polar Night Energy and utility organisation Vatajankoski joined forces to create the system, which is adjacent to a power plant. It has 100kW heating power and 8MWh capacity, and can heat the sand […]
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Alex Shan awarded Young Engineer of the Year
Cundall Senior Mechanical Engineer Alex Shan was awarded the CIBSE ANZ Jack Pirie Award – Young Engineer of the Year 2022 during the official ceremony at NSW Parliament House on July 7. The award recognises an engineer with less than seven years of professional experience who has demonstrated technical excellence, exceptional professionalism, and a positive […]
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HVAC&R salary survey to offer further industry insights
AIRAH has launched the second edition of its Salary Survey to benchmark industry wages and forecast trends in employment. The survey will run until the end of August and is for all those who work in the HVAC&R sector. The first edition of AIRAH’s HVAC&R Salary Survey was conducted in 2019. With data from almost […]
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ATO offers tax time guide for trades
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has developed a range of resources to help workers get their tax returns right – including a guide specifically for trades. From car and travel expenses to tools and protective gear, the tax time guide has been created to help work out what they can and can’t claim. An ATO […]