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Category: News
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Beijer Ref acquires Australian HVAC distributor
Global refrigeration wholesaler Beijer Ref has signed an agreement to acquire all the shares in the Australian distribution company Airstream. Airstream is a manufacturer and distributor of air conditioning ducting and associated fittings. The company was established in 2011 and consists of 14 employees. The majority of Airstream’s sales are made locally in Perth. Airstream […]
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Built environment offers open paths to net zero
As the federal government promotes its five-point technology-driven plan to reach net zero by 2050, the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) has released a policy platform highlighting five ways the built environment can help Australia transition to a net zero future. The paper comes in the lead-up to COP26 in Glasgow from October 31–November […]
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Technology will take us to net zero, promises PM
The federal government has released Australia’s Long-Term Emissions Reduction Plan, which it says will achieve net zero by 2050. A joint media release from Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor says that Australia will act in a “practical, responsible way” to deliver net zero emissions by 2050 […]
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World Bank launches sustainable cooling program
The World Bank has announced new program to accelerate the uptake of sustainable cooling solutions, including air conditioning, refrigeration and cold chain, in developing countries. The program will provide technical assistance to ensure that efficient cooling is included in new World Bank Group investment projects and will mobilise further financing. Cooling collaboration The Efficient Clean […]
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Electric homes group tops 35,000 members
My Efficient Electric Home (MEEH) is a rapidly growing Australian online community where members volunteer their time to help each other improve their homes – often in relation to heating and cooling. Last week it passed the milestone of 35,000 members. Group founder and co-admin Tim Forcey describes MEEH as “possibly Australia’s largest continuously updated […]
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Task Force Z rallies the troops for sustainable homes
Task Force Z is inviting professionals in the built environment to join its network of change-makers driving sustainable and zero energy homes at scale. The networking initiative has spun off from work funded by the NSW government and the National Energy Productivity Plan (NEPP), which has been delivered as industry-facing projects through the South Australian […]
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RAC apprentice takes top honours in Queensland
Refrigeration and air conditioning tradesperson Lauren Campbell has taken out the top state award for Apprentice of the Year at the 2021 Queensland Training Awards, which this year celebrates 60 years of excellence in training. Campbell, from Manly West in Brisbane, was named as the winner of the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year at […]
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New tech taps heat from underground carparks
A renewable energy source company has developed a technology that could see heat from underground parking lots used to warm the buildings above them. Enerdrape, a cleantech spin-off of the Swiss Institute of Technology of Lausanne (EPFL), creates renewable energy sources that can be used in new and existing building structures. The technology the company […]
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The 2021 State of the Industry Report
The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) has released its 2021 State of the Industry Report, which provides information on important topics in the natural refrigeration industry. The report summarises data from the IIAR’s annual State of the Industry Report Survey. It examines the use of ammonia as a refrigerant, and includes information on emerging […]
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Call for submissions to bench-test RAC equipment
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is seeking responses through an open tender process to bench-test a selection of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. The testing will aim to capture increased energy used on new or “as new” equipment when operating with a selection of preventable common faults. The government says that the […]
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Paul Bannister awarded James Harrison Medal
AIRAH has named Paul Bannister, F.AIRAH, as the 2021 winner of the James Harrison Medal for notable achievements in the Australian HVAC&R industry. Over his career, Bannister has focused on improving energy efficiency in buildings, especially energy related to HVAC. Bannister was heavily involved in the development of the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating System, which […]
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Tradies travelling north for work
The latest licence statistics from the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) indicate that a high number of trades have crossed the border over the past 18 months. According to the QBCC, the jump in licensee numbers is the biggest in more than five years. The number of tradies moving from New South Wales and […]
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ASBEC names Alison Scotland as new Executive Director
The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) has appointed Alison Scotland as the organisation’s new Executive Director, effective from November 1. Scotland has been Interim Executive Director for the past four months. ASBEC President, Ken Maher, has welcomed Scotland’s appointment, saying it marks the beginning of a new chapter for the organisation. “The board is […]
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Home heating and cooling program ramps up
Victoria’s Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades (HHCU) program is expanding to include landlords and renters, and is looking for suppliers to join the program. The program offers rebates to replace gas, electric and wood heaters with reverse-cycle split systems in low-income and vulnerable households. It plans to reach 250,000 households over the next three years, […]
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Embracing renewable energy could reduce emissions
Researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) are exploring new ways to reduce energy consumption while still keeping homes cool. Dr Mohammad Al Hashmi from UBC Okanagan has been using data from Saudi Arabia to develop an operational framework that cools homes with minimal environmental impacts. He believes rapid population growth has led to […]
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A-Gas appoints Jack Govers as CEO
After an extensive global search, Jack Govers has been named Chief Executive Officer of refrigerant titan, the A-Gas Group. Govers will lead A-Gas’ plans for growth, sustainability and operational business excellence. “I am joining A-Gas at an exciting time for the business as it continues on its environmental journey and plans for growth into new […]
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NSW Health issues Legionella warning as state reopens
NSW Health is reminding building owners, occupiers, and the water treatment industry of their responsibility to ensure that cooling water systems are maintained effectively in accordance with the Public Health Regulation 2012. “Businesses reopening their premises during the easing of COVID-19 restrictions should pay particular attention to ensuring their cooling water system servicing regimen is […]
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Energy experts urge Australia to ‘electrify everything’
A report released by Rewiring Australia, a new energy think tank, shows that Australian households could vastly reduce their energy bills through electrification, and cut domestic emissions by around one-third by 2030. Rewiring Australia’s inaugural report, Castles and Cars: savings in the suburbs through electrifying everything presents new modelling, which shows electrification will save the […]
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Study identifies potential game-changer for UV
New research has highlighted the effectiveness of a specific wavelength of UV light in limiting the spread of COVID-19 without harming humans. According to the team at University of Colorado Boulder, the study is the first to comprehensively analyse the effects of different wavelengths of UV light on SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses. Researchers also […]
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FairAir gets a new look
AIRAH has released a new and improved version of its website FairAir, offering independent advice for residential air conditioning. Already well known within the industry, and referenced by consumer groups such as CHOICE, FairAir has been revamped and updated to support residents and HVAC&R technicians in selecting suitable equipment for residential cooling and heating. AIRAH […]