Call for submissions to bench-test RAC equipment

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is seeking responses through an open tender process to bench-test a selection of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. The testing will aim to capture increased energy used on new or “as new” equipment when operating with a selection of preventable common faults.

The government says that the findings will help inform consumers of the benefits of regular equipment maintenance to reduce electricity costs, and the environmental benefits of reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

This project will support the ongoing work of the Australian government to reduce emissions through both direct and indirect emissions caused by common faults due to poor installation and maintenance practices of equipment. As part of the 2014-2016 review of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas program, the government highlighted a maintenance and leak prevention program as a non-regulatory measure that could contribute to the reduction of emissions by around 35 million tonnes by 2030. This would be achieved by informing equipment owners of the benefits of properly installing new equipment, and regularly maintaining it, leading to both reduced gas leakage and lower energy use.

The new work also builds on the report released earlier this year through the department, Leaks, maintenance and emissions: refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, which listed the most common faults identified in residential and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. The report gauged the impacts of these faults and highlighted how routine maintenance could significantly reduce electricity use, refrigerant leaks and emissions.

Proposals for the open tender should be submitted through AusTender by 2pm (AEDT) on November 10, 2021.