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Category: News
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Victoria’s largest mass timber project reaches completion
Construction on one of Victoria’s largest mass timber projects has been completed, as La Trobe University unveils the new student accommodation at its Bundoora campus. Designed by Jackson Clements Burrows Architects and constructed by Multiplex, the accommodation utilises cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam beams and columns. The project has achieved a 5 Star Green Star Design rating and is […]
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Quarantine restart: What have we learnt?
This week, international travellers began arriving in Melbourne again, and are re-entering Victoria’s revised hotel quarantine facilities. Numbers have been capped at 800 per week and will increase to 1,120 per week on April 15 provided that key recommendations are addressed – including many relating to ventilation. Focus on airborne transmission It has been almost […]
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End of an era at Bitzer for ‘living legend’ Hermann Renz
After more than 50 years with German multinational Bitzer, stalwart Hermann Renz has worked his last day for the Rottenburg-based Teutonic titan. “In five decades and beyond … Hermann Renz has characterised the way in which Bitzer provides technical support and information to its customers,” Bitzer says. “During the years as Director Application Engineering and […]
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David Harrison elected new Property Council president
The Property Council of Australia has a new president: Charter Hall Managing Director and Group CEO, David Harrison. Harrison takes the reins of the industry association from JLL CEO Australia and New Zealand Stephen Conry AM, who has concluded his two-year term. GPT Group CEO Bob Johnston and Brookfield’s Sophie Fallman have both been elected […]
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Organic material holds promise for HVAC technology
A new study by researchers at Texas A&M University has found an organic material called polyimide that could bring down the cost of cooling air. Traditional heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems use a large amount of energy, and cost thousands of dollars to run – particularly in commercial buildings. However, the researchers believe […]
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New HVAC&R Technical Handbook released
The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) has released the sixth edition of its Technical Handbook. The Technical Handbook was first published in May 1989, and has a long history as a “go-to resource” for those working in the HVAC&R industry. Over the years, AIRAH members have helped develop, review, and curate […]
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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 […]