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Category: News
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Licensing survey results now online
Earlier this year, the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) ran an online survey to collect input on its position statement for HVAC&R licensing in Australia. The position statement, developed by AIRAH’s Refrigeration Special Technical Group, will define the Institute’s stance on HVAC&R licensing in Australia, and will serve as an advocacy tool for […]
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Tender for maintenance and leak prevention program
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is developing an education program to encourage refrigeration and air conditioning equipment owners and facilities managers to improve their level of preventive maintenance. The program aims to reduce refrigerant and energy-related greenhouse gas emissions and at the same time reduce consumer costs by having their equipment operate […]
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Legionnaires’ warning for Perth
The Western Australia government is reminding building managers to maintain cooling towers and flush other water systems that may not have had regular use recently – including showers, emergency eye baths, spas, fountains and ice machines – to prevent Legionnaires’ disease. The warnings follow five cases of Legionnaires’ disease notified to the Department of Health […]
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ACIF issues coronavirus recovery proposal
The Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) has issued a document proposing a number of key recommendations on guiding the construction industry out of the coronavirus disruption period. In the document entitled Construction’s Bridge to Recovery, the ACIF is calling on the government to assist with the economic recovery of the construction business through a list […]
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Cut your energy expenditure
Sustainability Victoria has revamped its business energy usage website to assist organisations with reducing energy costs and improving productivity. Energy rates have been on the rise, but the Victorian government’s $6.1 million Boosting Business Productivity program has helped businesses save $2.33 million on their annual energy bills. This was achieved by conducting energy reviews with […]
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US HVAC&R professionals weathering COVID-19 crisis
The results are in from a survey exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on US HVAC&R professionals. The survey was conducted by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). About 3,000 of its members replied to “ASHRAE’s Survey of the Impact of COVID-19 on Members Professionally and Their Businesses”, which explored […]
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Apprentices hammered by COVID-19 crisis
Industry is calling for urgent government measures as Australian apprentice numbers plummet due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the National Australian Apprenticeship Association (NAAA), about 5.5 per cent of apprentices and trainees have been suspended or cancelled since March 1. National employer association the Ai Group says that apprentice commencements are down 60 per […]
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AMCA advice on COVID-19 and HVAC
The Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors’ Association (AMCA) has released a position statement on the role of HVAC systems in mitigating the risks of airborne transmission of COVID-19. In the statement, the AMCA recognises that ventilation and air filtration provided by heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC) can reduce the airborne concentration of COVID-19 […]
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HydroChem appoints new CEO
HydroChem has named Mike Lenton as its new CEO. Lenton’s predecessor, Nick Duncan, will be moving into a full-time strategy, talent-development and project role. Duncan has been credited with transitioning HydroChem to a national operation over the past 15 years. “Having recently completed 18 successful years as the General Manager of Hydro Flow, Mike is […]
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BBC series to explore impact of green buildings
The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) is collaborating with BBC StoryWorks to produce a film series about sustainable buildings and construction. The series launches later this year, and will recognise the impact buildings can have on both the quality of people’s lives and our natural environment, particularly in the mitigation of and adaption to climate […]
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AIRAH and IRHACE seal MoU
The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) and the Institute of Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers of New Zealand Inc., (IRHACE) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding. Although the two member bodies have co-operated on initiatives and knowledge sharing for many years now, the arrangement has always been an informal one. […]
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IAQAA updates draft on COVID-19 guidelines
The Australian Chapter of Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) has released a new Draft Reference and Guidelines for Post Cleaning Validation of Buildings Contaminated with SARS-CoV-2. This is an updated version of the original Draft of guidelines, published in April, on the validation of post-cleaning work in buildings where a person infected with COVID-19 was […]
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Australia’s $3.8b cold-chain food waste
Failures in the cold food chain cost the Australian economy nearly $4 billion worth of wasted food at farm gate values, says a new government- and industry-sponsored study. The study was carried out by the Melbourne-based Expert Group for the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and Refrigerants Australia. This is the first time […]
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AMCA appoints Shackleton, farewells Mackrill
The Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors’ Association (AMCA) has appointed Adrian Shackleton as Executive Director of both AMCA Queensland and AMCA New South Wales. Adrian joins the AMCA after five years with Services Trades College Australia, where he was General Manager and Company Secretary. Starting his career as a plumber, Adrian has worked in the […]
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New study raises concerns over HFOs
Research co-led by York University and Environment and Climate Change Canada has unearthed new evidence about the impacts of hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) on the environment. HFOs have been positioned by some as the future of synthetic refrigerants. They have zero ozone-depleting potential and break down very quickly in the atmosphere, resulting in very low global warming […]
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Chill Challenge announces grants
Engineers Without Borders USA has announced grant awards for seven proposals in its Chill Challenge, an initiative launched in September 2019 to develop affordable refrigeration technologies for off-grid households in the developing world. “The development of off-grid refrigeration has enormous potential for improving the lives of millions of the poorest and most vulnerable people on […]
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China to tackle HFCs
China has proposed a national plan to deal with hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The plan recommends adjusting the existing regulations dealing with Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) to cover HFCs, and to strengthen monitoring and enforcement of existing measures. It also proposes adding HFCs to existing regulations consistent with implementation of the Kigali Amendment, including a quota system […]
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Next step in Australia’s emissions reduction
The Australian government has released a series of recommendations from the Report of the Expert Panel examining additional sources of low cost abatement. A panel chaired by former Business Council of Australia president, Grant King, looked at ways to incentivise low-cost abatement across the country, with a focus on the industrial, manufacturing, transport and agriculture […]
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RAC apprentices on hold for driving licences
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) is calling for refrigeration and air conditioning apprentices to be prioritised among those waiting for driver licence tests. In Victoria, COVID-19 restrictions have led to the suspension of driver’s licence testing in Victoria, resulting in a backlog of almost 30,000 applicants. This includes refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) trade apprentices, […]
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Solar chimney a life-saver
Researchers at RMIT University have designed a solar chimney that saves energy – and lives. While solar chimneys are known for their sustainable features – with the ability to reduce energy usage by up to 50 per cent – the researchers have designed one that is also optimised for fire safety. The new design is […]