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Category: News
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The Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants are back
The 2021 Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants (RAPG 2021) program is now inviting applicants to win $30,000 worth of grants. Now into its ninth year, the program was established to help ease the financial strain felt by many apprentice plumbers, and to invest in the skills of future plumbers and provide assistance so that they can […]
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Round two of WA Clean Energy Future Fund
Round two of Western Australia’s Clean Energy Future Fund is now accepting applications. Launched in April 2020, the state government fund supports the implementation of innovative clean energy projects in Western Australia. According to the WA Government website, these are projects that offer high public value through contributing to one or more of the following […]
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Why some people might feel the cold more than others
New research has revealed almost 20 per cent of people worldwide lack a protein called α-actinin-3 in their muscle fibre. The skeletal muscle in this group of people is made up of more slow-twitch muscle fibres. These muscles are more durable and energy efficient and provide better tolerance to low temperatures than fast-twitch muscle fibres. […]
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New report on potential health impacts of HFOs
A new report has highlighted the possible environmental and human health risks posed by some HFOs – the newest generation of synthetic refrigerants – breaking down in the atmosphere. Report and statement of the downsides of HFO refrigerant usage has been produced by Refolution Industriekälte GmbH, a European refrigeration company that specialises in low-temperature systems […]
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Airmaster acquires Specialised Fire Protection
Airmaster has entered into an agreement to acquire fire protection services company Specialised Fire Protection. Through this acquisition, Airmaster says it will build upon its portfolio of specialist in-house knowledge and expertise in fire services, while continuing to service Specialised Fire Protection customers. “With over 50 years of combined experience, and a customer base that […]
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Beijer Ref’s Australian plant completes relocation
Beijer Ref’s Australian manufacturing operation SCM REF Australia has completed its relocation into a new purpose-built facility at Bankstown, Sydney. The OEM has been set up to service the Australian refrigeration industry, with a focus on natural refrigerants. As part of the push for sustainability under the combined Beijer Ref umbrella, Kirby and Beijer Ref […]
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Safe Work releases guidance on workplace ventilation
A new COVID-19 fact sheet on improving ventilation in indoor workplaces has been developed by Safe Work Australia. The fact sheet highlights practical steps to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and improve ventilation in indoor workplaces. The advice covers three main points. Ensuring HVAC systems are operating properly. This includes checking that systems […]
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HVAC&R is helping NASA find life on Mars
Those in HVAC&R often talk about the impacts this industry has had in supporting our modern way of life. Now another achievement can be added to the list: interplanetary exploration. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) landed one its largest and most advanced rovers, named Perseverance, on Mars on February 18, 2021. The aim […]
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Welcome to the hydrogen-heated home
The UK government has confirmed the country’s first test homes completely relying on hydrogen for heating will be opened to the public, researchers and educators in April. The two semi-detached homes will showcase working hydrogen appliances in a domestic setting. They will demonstrate the potential of hydrogen as a direct lower carbon alternative to existing […]
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Changes imminent for NABERS Energy Ratings
NABERS Energy Ratings are set to change from July 1 this year to reflect the increasing decarbonisation of the grid. There are also plans to introduce a formal definition of “net zero” and recognise buildings that achieve this standard. Corine Mulet is Technical Projects Manager at NABERS and presented a session on the changes as […]
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Has China halted illegal production of CFC-11?
New studies indicate that China may have successfully curbed production of CFC-11, an ozone-depleting refrigerant also used for foam insulation. The chemical was banned, along with other CFCs such as R12 and R502, under the Montreal Protocol to stop the production and import of ozone depleting substances and reduce their concentration in the atmosphere. In […]
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Breakthrough in radiative cooling
New research led by University at Buffalo (UB) engineers has made significant progress in the area of passive cooling. The study, published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science, has found a way to turbo-charge an existing passive cooling technique, known as radiative or sky cooling. This eco-friendly technique involves the use of sun-blocking nanomaterials that […]
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SA water project promotes renewable energy use
Rheem Australia has launched the Rheem Active Hot Water Control Project, to create the South Australian Smart Network. The project behind the network, designed to improve the state’s energy system and increase the use of renewable energy, is undertaken by Rheem’s renewables brand, Solahart. The project has been awarded funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and […]
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Carel releases white paper on natural refrigerants
HVAC&R control and humidification specialist Carel has released a white paper that examines natural refrigerants and the technologies available to optimise energy savings. As countries around the world move to phase down HFCs in support of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, natural refrigerants including CO2, ammonia and hydrocarbons are increasingly being looked at […]
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How does climate change affect building codes?
The Global Resiliency Dialogue has released a report about the current integration of climate data and assessment of extreme weather events in building codes around the world. The group is composed of international industry organisations including the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), the National Research Council of Canada, the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and […]
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Sustainable Starbucks built in six days
Starbucks Canada is opening the first sustainably constructed Starbucks drive-thru store in Abbotsford, Canada. The store was constructed in just six days with near-zero construction waste. It is also designed to reduce energy needs for heating and cooling compared to standard construction builds. Starbucks worked with Vancouver-based green building company, Nexii Building Solutions, to construct […]
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Supermarket refrigerant leaks caught on camera
The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has released the details of an investigation into refrigerant leakage in US supermarkets. The project, aimed at raising mainstream awareness of refrigerant management issues, is titled “Leaking Havoc” – and the results are indeed alarming. EIA investigated dozens of supermarkets in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland using portable […]
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Body heat powers new wearable device
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a new wearable device that harvests energy from the wearer’s own body heat. Using an elastic material, the device can be worn like a ring, bracelet or any accessory that makes direct contact with your skin. It employs thermoelectric generators to convert the body’s internal temperature […]
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Condair shares advice on making buildings healthier
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a rethink on the risks posed by viral transmission in buildings. Fresh air, temperature, minimum relative humidity and even sunlight are gaining greater attention as factors that can control the spread of viruses. Humidity specialist Condair has released a white paper entitled “Making buildings healthier” that provides an overview of […]
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Umow Lai fully integrates into Integral Group
Umow Lai’s Melbourne practice has taken the final step in joining the Integral Group brand. With the Sydney and Brisbane offices of Umow Lai having already been absorbed into the global operation, the rebranding of the erstwhile Victorian Umow Lai office – its national HQ – means the organisation previously known as Umow Lai will […]