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Category: News
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NCC 2022 now available online
The 2022 version of the National Construction Code (NCC) is now available online. The major changes are the lifting of the minimum energy efficiency requirements for new homes from 6 to 7 NatHERS stars, and a new annual energy-use budget applicable to major appliances such as space conditioning, hot water, lighting, pool and spa pumps, […]
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National campaign to promote careers in HVAC&R
A new campaign promoting careers in HVAC&R is being rolled out by the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC), targeting students at almost 3,000 secondary schools across Australia. Each school’s careers adviser will receive a package explaining the careers the HVAC&R industry can offer, and how students can make a difference. ARC chairman Michael Bennett says the […]
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New guide to electrifying existing buildings
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has released A Practical Guide to Electrification for Existing Buildings. Developed in partnership with Cundall and with funding from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and NSW government, the guide provides a step-by-step outline of how to retrofit an existing building to be all-electric. It covers the types […]
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GJ Walker announces new industrial fan division
GJ Walker Air Handling Systems has announced its new industrial fan division, Walker Industrial Systems (WIS), as part of the company’s new focus on the industrial ventilation market. The GJ Walker Group says WIS will add a range of industrial fans and blowers to its portfolio of products, bringing a new market with different ventilation […]
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US commits to HFC phase-down
The US Senate has ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, joining the 137 other countries that have already ratified the treaty. The Kigali Amendment calls for a gradual reduction in the consumption and production of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases. Many of these are used as refrigerants in HVAC&R systems. “The […]
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Launch event: NABERS for Warehouses and Cold Stores
NABERS is launching a new energy rating tool, NABERS Energy for Warehouses and Cold Stores. The ratings tool was developed with input from organisations involved in the industrial and supply chain economy. NABERS consulted with providers, peak bodies and experienced consultants, gathering data from more than 150 facilities. NABERS says its expansion into warehouses and cold stores […]
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Sweeping building reforms on the way in NSW
The NSW government is seeking industry and community input on proposed changes to building sector laws, as well as specific changes to compliance and fire-safety laws. The government says these changes are aimed at better protecting consumers and supporting businesses and workers, to improve confidence in the NSW building and construction industry. Compliance and fire […]
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The world’s largest cooling project?
New research suggests that refreezing the Earth’s poles by reducing incoming sunlight would be a feasible and cheap approach to addressing melting ice and rising sea levels. In what might be the world’s largest cooling effort, scientists proposed spraying microscopic aerosol particles into the atmosphere above the poles via high-flying jets. According to new research […]
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The gamechangers to boost Australia’s race to zero
The Climate Council has named 10 actions Australian governments can immediately begin to fast-track emissions reductions, tackle the energy and cost-of-living crises, and create new jobs. The Power Up: 10 Climate Gamechangers report is designed to provide a roadmap for the federal government to speed up its climate action in the 2020s, to ensure Australia […]
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IBM pushes limits of low-temperature refrigeration
As part of its ongoing work in quantum computing, IBM has built the world’s largest dilution refrigerator. Dubbed Project Goldeneye, the super-fridge contains 1.7m3 of experimental volume and uses two helium isotopes to run at -273.15°C – about a hundredth of a degree above absolute zero. Quantum computing is an emerging technology that harnesses the […]
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NSW heeds calls to defer licence deadline
After an intense series of meetings with stakeholders from the HVAC&R industry, the NSW government is set to push the implementation of the new mechanical services licence back from October 1, 2022, to March 1, 2023. The exception to this will be the medical gas licence, which will go ahead as planned at the end […]
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Beijer Ref continues Australian expansion
Beijer Ref has signed an agreement to acquire 51 per cent of the shares in the Australian wholesaler AAD (Australian Airconditioning Distributors) and Australian HVAC&R solution and service provider HVAC Consolidated, with the option to acquire the remaining shares. According to Beijer Ref, during the 2021/22 financial year, AAD and HVAC Consolidated had a combined […]
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Celebrating milestones on World Ozone Day
World Ozone Day is being celebrated on September 16 with the theme “global cooperation protecting life on Earth”, in recognition of the 35th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. On September 16, 1987, governments adopted the Montreal Protocol to control and reduce ozone-depleting substances, mainly chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons. […]
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Extreme temperatures lead to online flaming
A new study has shown that temperatures outside a window of 12–21°C are linked to a marked rise in aggressive online behaviour. Conducted by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), the study looked at more than four billion Twitter posts from US users between 2014–2020. Researchers used an AI algorithm to detect more than […]
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New type of AC replaces refrigerant with water
A multidisciplinary team at Harvard University is working on a design for a new type of air conditioner that it says uses a fraction of the energy typically needed by current models. The device uses water in place of refrigerants. Dubbed ColdSNAP (SNAP stands for “superhydrophobic nano-architecture process”), the design incorporates a coating that, inspired […]
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Deadline looms for new mechanical services licence
The New South Wales government is pressing ahead with plans to begin a new licensing class for mechanical services and medical gases on October 1. Given the tight timelines, and the concerns raised by HVAC&R stakeholders, NSW Fair Trading is working intensely with industry groups to better define the scope of the new licence – […]
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Major skills goals require detailed effort
At the National Jobs and Skills Summit, the federal government unveiled major initiatives to address Australia’s skills crisis. But industry insiders warn that the real work is still to come. During the summit, the government announced 465,000 additional fee-free TAFE placements, along with planned changes to Australia’s skilled migration system. Working with industry, unions and […]
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Air monitoring project expanding to 100 schools
After a successful pilot, an air quality monitoring project developed by UNSW researchers is expanding to 100 schools to gather more information on the environments where Australian children learn and play. UNSW Associate Professor Donna Green says it is fantastic to be able to extend the program more widely to schools throughout NSW, and in […]
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New thermal energy battery solution
Australian innovator MGA Thermal is proposing a thermal energy storage solution that aims to address the shortcomings of existing batteries. MGA Thermal says its new battery design will play an important role in providing medium-duration storage – a gap for traditional technology such as lithium-ion electrical batteries and hydrogen electrolysers. Lithium-ion electrical batteries are […]
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Status update on low-GWP refrigerants
The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) has published a new informatory note outlining the requirements and options available for low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants. The refrigerants were selected according to performance, material compatibility, safety (flammability, toxicity), environmental protection and their cost. The note presents performance simulation results obtained using an advanced simulation model with […]