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Category: News
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Call for RAC subject matter experts
Although a new national training package for refrigeration and air conditioning has just been released, work is already starting on the next iteration. Two new units will be developed on variable refrigerant flow systems, and fire and smoke control systems. Australian Industry Standards (AIS) is looking for subject matter experts to help review and develop […]
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Expect greater emphasis on IAQ after COVID, says BSRIA
Air conditioning and ventilation providers will be required to do much more to address indoor air quality issues following the COVID-19 pandemic, says the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) in the UK. New findings from the UK-based organisation have warned that COVID-19 and research concerning airborne contamination in enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces has […]
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COVID-19 outbreaks prompt hospital HVAC audit
The Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority has commissioned engineering assessments of the HVAC systems within wards dedicated to suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients at 20 hospital sites over the next eight weeks. The assessment will work with health services to verify airflow rates, effectiveness of ventilation strategies adopted by hospitals, and any adjustments […]
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Scientists create energy-saving ‘liquid window’
Scientists at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a liquid window panel that can block the sun to regulate solar transmission while reducing energy consumption in buildings. The NTU researchers found that by placing hydrogel-based liquid within glass panels, the window is able to trap thermal heat that can be released through […]
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South Australia aims high for energy efficiency
Industry groups have applauded the South Australian government announcement that it will invest $60 million to improve the energy efficiency of government buildings. According to Dan van Holst Pellekaan, Minister for Energy and Mining, the commitment is the largest per capita stimulus investment of any Australian government in improving the energy efficiency of public buildings. […]
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ASHRAE moves to net-zero-energy global headquarters
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has moved into its net-zero-energy global headquarters based in Atlanta. Originally built in 1978, the 6,197m2 building sits on 4.5 hectares of land and is a part of a high-tech commercial estate. Renovations began in January earlier this year. “ASHRAE’s goal for this project was […]
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Tesla HVAC on the horizon?
Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk once again expressed interest in developing a highly efficient, next generation HVAC system that features an advanced HEPA filter. The American business magnate addressed the subject during Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting, in which he further hinted that the project may begin as soon as next year. The subject was raised by […]
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Beijer Ref strengthens local manufacturing capability
Beijer Ref in Australia has announced the formation of SCM REF Australia, a Sydney-based OEM to service the Australian refrigeration industry. It is believed the move will support the company’s focus on sustainability and the development of environmentally friendly and natural refrigerant technology. “The investment is a significant injection into the Australian refrigeration industry and […]
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Has Australia hit ‘peak bank’?
A new version of the Cold Hard Facts report reveals that Australia’s HVAC&R sector may have hit “peak bank” for synthetic greenhouse gases (SGGs) in 2019–20. The total global warming potential (GWP) of the bank of synthetic greenhouse gases employed in refrigerating and air conditioning systems in Australia is predicted to have peaked in 2019–20 […]
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Local company launches new HVAC servitisation model
Australian company SmartConsult is aiming to change the ownership model for the heating and cooling industry with the launch of cooling and heating as a service (CHAAS). Under the CHAAS scheme, customers are charged based on the heating and cooling units that an energy centre (heating and AC plant) produces on a monthly basis. SmartConsult […]
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Company fined $500,000 for unlawfully importing HFCs
The largest fine ever issued under Australia’s ozone protection laws has been handed down to a Victorian-based fire protection company for the unlawful importation of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Following a civil prosecution from the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, this week the Federal Court of Australia found the company formerly known as Fire Protection Technologies […]
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Can seawater cool a warming world?
A study published in the journal Energy Efficiency, led by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), has found that using seawater air conditioning might be a viable alternative to traditional air conditioners. Seawater air conditioning (SWAC) works by pumping seawater from the ocean and exchanging heat with a district cooling system, and then returning […]
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New GBCA tool aims to eliminate natural gas in buildings
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) is pushing to eliminate natural gas in buildings with the biggest overhaul of its Green Star rating system in 18 years. Launched today, as the first of the new suite of Green Star Future Focus tools, Green Star Buildings sets a clear new requirement that buildings must be […]
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India bans imports of ACs with refrigerants
The government of India has banned the import of air conditioners with refrigerants. In a move aimed at encouraging local production, the Director-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued a notification banning the import of split AC system and other air conditioners with refrigerants – moving them from “free” to “prohibited” category. The country had […]
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South Australia to pilot dual-trade apprenticeship
Apprentices in South Australia will soon be able to complete both electrical and RAC qualifications concurrently, thanks to a new program. The Electrical, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician apprenticeship will run for five years. At the end of the program, graduates will have a Certificate III qualification in both electrical and RAC. “The dual-trade qualification […]
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Primed for space cooling
The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) have published the Primer for Space Cooling and accompanying Compendium, which address the critical need for access to sustainable space cooling. The Primer describes space cooling as “the means by which people are provided thermal comfort from heat by maintaining the […]
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EU riding a renovation wave to recovery
The European Commission has announced a Renovation Wave strategy to improve the energy performance of buildings and in the process cut emissions, boost recovery, and reduce energy poverty. Money for this work will be made available under the EU’s €750 billion COVID-19 recovery fund. The Commission aims to at least double renovation rates in the […]
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Renters experience energy hardship
The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) has published research that examines how energy hardship is affecting the Australian rental sector. The research estimates that up to 40 per cent might be experiencing hardship due to rising energy costs and energy-inefficient dwellings, and between 14–18 per cent are unable to keep warm in winter. […]
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A double celebration for A.G. Coombs
Mechanical and building services contractor A.G. Coombs has two reasons to celebrate. In a year in which the firm is celebrating 75 years in operation, this week the organisation is acknowledging what would have been founder Allan George Coombs’ 100th birthday. “Allan Coombs was instrumental in the establishment of the HVAC industry in Australia […]
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Germany pledges €500m for COVID-safe HVAC systems
The German government has announced a funding program worth up to €500 million (Au$836 million) to support the “Corona-compatible conversion” and upgrading of HVAC systems in public buildings. Lately, much attention has focused on how HVAC systems can mitigate the risk of COVID-19 spreading in indoor spaces. This includes measures such as increasing fresh air […]