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Category: News
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EIA and shecco publish Cooling Product List
The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and natural refrigerants advocate shecco have teamed up to produce a consumer guide titled Pathway to Net-Zero: Cooling Product List. The EIA says the guide is aimed at helping companies cut their collective carbon footprint by providing a selection of products across all major cooling sectors, with a focus on […]
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ASHRAE issues ‘unequivocal’ COVID advice
The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has released an updated, unequivocal statement on the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) in buildings. “Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is significant and should be controlled,” says the statement. “Changes to building operations, including the operation of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems, can reduce airborne exposures.” […]
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New electric motor attracts big-name investors
Question: What do Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr have in common? Both are investing in Turntide Technologies, a Silicon Valley start-up that is developing an energy-efficient electric motor. Turntide Technologies says it has completed an US$80m (A$105m) funding round that was led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, the clean-tech fund […]
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Trade licences to go digital in NSW
The NSW government has announced it will add trade licences to the digital wallet within the Service NSW app. According to a NSW Fair Trading spokesperson, the general construction induction “White Card” is the first category to go live as a Digital Trade Licence, followed by a range of other categories including Home Building contractors, […]
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AHRI releases A2L report for firefighters
The US-based Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has released a test report that examines fire safety issues related to A2L (lower flammability) refrigerants. The fire service requested that data be developed to identify hazards to fire service personnel when responding to fire events in occupancies with the new refrigerants. Undertaken in cooperation with […]
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AIRAH celebrates its 101st birthday
AIRAH has celebrated its “Centenary plus one” by sharing a special edition of its official journal, Ecolibrium, and by unveiling the complete list of its 100 Faces. On March 29 in 1920, the The Victorian Institute of Refrigeration was incorporated by guarantee. Forty years later, it changed its name to the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, […]
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AIRAH names Paul Jackson as incoming president
The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) has held its board elections for the 2021–2023 term and voted in Paul Jackson, F.AIRAH, as the new president. He will succeed Ian Harwood, F.AIRAH, whose term ends in May. Also appointed to the AIRAH board were Bryon Price, F.AIRAH, and Liza Taylor, M.AIRAH, both […]
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New study looks at ideal placement of air purifiers
Researchers from the Department of Engineering, University of Minnesota, have published findings on the efficacy of air purifiers in achieving ventilation rates close to values prescribed by the World Health Organization. The same report claims that purifiers also help to achieve aerosol removal times within the Center of Disease Control and Prevention recommended guidelines. The […]
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Study predicts that oceans will emit CFCs
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are predicting that the world’s oceans, long regarded a stable repository of CFCs drawn from the atmosphere, will emit more CFC-11 back into the atmosphere than they absorb by 2075. Although used as tracers to study ocean currents, marine CFCs have always been regarded as having negligible […]
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Pro Clima offers Passive House scholarships
Pro Clima is offering three scholarships to building professionals to support the practice of Passive House in Australia. The scholarships include Passive House Introduction, Passive House Designer and Passive House Tradesperson. Each scholarship is open to people in the building sector – including builders, architects, building designers, consultants, roofers and more. To be eligible for […]
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Small fixes for big emissions reductions
The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) has applauded a new report that highlights common faults in residential and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning equipment – and the considerable potential benefits of addressing them. HVAC&R has a huge impact on Australia’s energy use and greenhouse emissions. HVAC&R uses more than 24 per […]
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Max Duarte named International Committee Chair of IIAR
Max Duarte has assumed the position as Chair of the International Committee of the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR). Duarte has been an IIAR member for many years, during which time he has served as Vice Chair of the International Committee and presented technical documents at the US IIAR EXPO and various events in […]
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ASHRAE forms task force for building decarbonisation
ASHRAE has formed a task force to address climate change through decarbonisation strategies for the built environment. The ASHRAE Task Force for Building Decarbonization (TFBD) has been established to develop technical resources and provide leadership and guidance in mitigating the negative carbon impact of buildings on the environment and the inhabitants of our planet. “In […]
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Biden sued over executive environmental order
Twelve American states have filed a federal lawsuit against President Joe Biden for his executive climate change order, alleging that he lacks the statutory and constitutional authority to dictate specific values for the “social costs” of greenhouse gases for regulatory programs administered by the federal government. Biden signed executive order 13990 on his first day […]
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Refrigeration research receives €15m funding
The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is providing €15m (AU$23m) to fund a research, development and education platform in the field of refrigeration and air conditioning technology. The Refrigeration and Energy Technology Research Platform will be established by Chemnitz University of Technology, the Institute of Air Handling and Refrigeration Dresden, and the Fraunhofer […]
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Chemours pledges to reduce HFC-23 emissions
Global chemistry company and refrigerant producer Chemours has announced a project to significantly reduce emissions of HFC-23 at its Louisville, Kentucky (US) manufacturing site. HFC-23 is a potent greenhouse gas with a 100-year global warming potential (GWP) of 12,400 – many times greater than most refrigerants used today. It is a by-product of producing R22, […]
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Government extends apprentice wage subsidy
The federal government is extending its Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement subsidy scheme for 12 months until September 30, 2021. The program, which covers 50 per cent of wages paid to new or recommencing apprentices, has been embraced by businesses. The government says it is has helped create 100,000 apprenticeships in less than five months. “Growing our […]
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EPA offers $50,000 for IAQ solutions to smoke
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a design challenge to encourage the development of IAQ innovations that offer protection from smoke exposure during wildfires. In partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal agencies, the EPA is offering five prizes – each up to US$10,000 (AU$13,000) – for low-cost approaches to clean fine particulate […]
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NSW invests $750 million in industrial net zero program
NSW has announced a $750 million program to promote low-emission industries and drive the state towards its 2050 net zero target. Energy Minister Matt Kean says the Net Zero Industry and Innovation Program is about co-investing with industry to reduce carbon emissions and develop low-emissions technologies for the future. “NSW was one of the first […]
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What is the most common RAC fault?
A new report prepared by the Expert Group for the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment lists the most common faults identified in residential and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. It also gauges the impacts of these faults and highlights how routine maintenance could significantly reduce electricity use, refrigerant leaks and emissions. The […]