Page 73
WorldSkills Australia (WSA) partner Heatcraft has announced its major sponsorship of the Refrigeration category for both the 2019 round of regional competitions and the 2020 WSA National Refrigeration Competition. It marks a 23-year association between Heatcraft and WSA. “This is a long-established affiliation that aligns firmly with our core business and values, being a heritage of […]
Two building industry veterans and sustainability champions have earned Order of Australia recognition in the Australia Day 2019 Honours List. Outgoing Green Building Council of Australia CEO Romilly Madew and former Property Council of Australia CEO Peter Verwer were cited for their services to the Australian built environment. Madew, who has also served as deputy […]
A survey published by consumer comparison site Finder has highlighted the extent to which Australians waste energy by running their air conditioning when they are not at home. The survey reports that 2.3 million Australians – or 24 per cent of the population – have their air conditioning running when they are out. Put another […]
Olivia Newton-John and Kylie Minogue may have grabbed the headlines in this year’s Australia Day Honours, but there was also recognition for a big name in the HVAC&R industry: Steve Anderson. Executive Director of Refrigerants Australia from 1987–2014, the initiator of the ACRtick program, and one of the key figures in establishing Refrigerant Reclaim Australia […]
The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) has released an online, updated version of its Flammable Refrigerants Safety Guide. The resource – which was developed by independent organisations and stakeholders with support from the Department of the Environment and Energy – provides vital information about the use and management of flammable refrigerants […]
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has released a video designed to educate consumers. The video explains the different licence types, and encourages consumers to find and use fully licensed air conditioning technicians. Running as part of the ARC’s summer campaign, the video seeks to raise awareness that fully licensed (or Certificate III) technicians are qualified […]
Two of the world’s leading HVAC&R member organisations have put pen to paper on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) and the UK-based Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) formalised the agreement on January 14 at the ASHRAE Winter Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. The MoU is aimed at […]
New labelling for air conditioners and highers standards of energy efficiency are on the way after the COAG Energy Council ministers met on December 19 and agreed to the Decision Regulation Impact Statement (RIS). The RIS proposed tightening regulations on the energy efficiency of air conditioners. Approximately 40 per cent of energy usage in Australian […]
After 13 years at the helm of the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), Romilly Madew will be stepping down and moving to a new role as CEO of Infrastructure Australia – an independent statutory body that conducts research on significant infrastructure projects to provide advice to government, investors and owners. “Romilly has driven a […]
Due to a fire risk, a national recall has been put in place for two models of outdoor air conditioning units. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) released the recall on Seeley International’s Braemar SCHF21C3S and Braemar SCHF25C3S outdoor air conditioner units on January 8. The ACCC says the power factor correction capacitors fitted in the […]
Renowned entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson has lashed out at the global air conditioning industry for its lack of innovation, and has reiterated his backing of the Global Cooling Prize as a much-needed incentive to disrupt the status quo. Branson has noted the expected growth of domestic air conditioning – from the already massive $100bn current […]
Households and small businesses in New South Wales could receive discounts of up to $1,000 when they install an energy efficient air conditioning unit. The program is part of the Climate Change Fund initiative, and is designed to encourage people to buy high-efficiency units. It was announced by Premier Gladys Berejiklian in September 2017 as part […]
The Australian Antarctic Program is currently recruiting refrigeration mechanics. The program is led by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), a division of the Department of Environment and Energy, which operates from its headquarters in Kingston, Tasmania. The position is part of the team which maintains and develops the Australian stations on the Antarctic continent and at […]
A new breed of sustainable housing has landed in Sydney’s inner-city with the opening of The Fern. The 11-unit development from Steele Associates is Australia’s first certified Passive House high-rise project. It endeavours to “set a new standard in sustainable urban living where luxury, lifestyle and comfort co-exist.” “This is a significant milestone for construction […]
Changes have been made to the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act that will affect the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. The act – Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Amendment (Methyl Bromide, Fire Protection and Other Measures) Regulations 2018 – commenced on December 12. The new regulations update references to Australian Standards relevant to the […]
More than 30 consumer, social sector, industry, environment and local government organisations have signed a joint statement urging COAG Energy Council to commit to action to raise the energy performance of all Australian homes at its December meeting. At the meeting, COAG EC will consider the recommendations of the Department of Environment & Energy’s Trajectory […]
Fujitsu General Australia has announced the acquisition by parent company Fujitsu General Limited of Precise Air Group (Holding) Pty Limited (PAG), a leading Australian provider of HVAC, fire and bundled maintenance services. The move signals Fujitsu’s intention to expand its business from home air conditioning – where it is currently a market leader in Australia […]
Global engineering and infrastructure advisory company Aurecon has appointed Louise Adams as Managing Director Australia and New Zealand from February 2019. Adams was previously the Regional Director responsible for Aurecon’s South Australian and Victorian practice and the first female member to join the company’s global board. According to Aurecon, Adams has a passion for organisational […]
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has appointed Michael Bennett as its new chairman. He replaces outgoing chairman Kevin O’Shea, who stepped down from the role after reaching the term limit under the ARC’s constitution. Bennett is moving from his long-held role as General Manager at Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA). Since RRA’s commencement in 1993, he […]
The federal government will invest $60m to trial a wage subsidy as an incentive for employers in regional and rural communities to engage more apprentices. The Apprentice Wage Subsidy will see up to 1,630 new Australian apprentices in areas of skills needs – including refrigeration and air conditioning. The scheme is open to employers who […]