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A slow market for net zero homes
New research has highlighted that the current housing market is slow to pick up on easy opportunities for improved energy efficiency and thermal comfort. The CRC for Low Carbon Living and Curtin University’s Dr Josh Byrne worked with industry bodies and government to provide a net zero energy home in Melbourne, Townsville, Canberra and Perth for potential buyers to view. […]
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Lifting HVAC&R standards in PNG
The Papua New Guinea Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Association (PNGRACA) has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) to promote good practices in the country’s HVAC&R sector. Under the 25-year agreement, PNGRACA will assist with regulations, laws and licensing of the industry standards, and increasing and improving the training […]
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Wearable heating and cooling?
A material called graphene is changing the game for textiles, and could revolutionise the way we cool and heat our shared spaces. Graphene is a thin form of graphite, and can radiate or detract heat. Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov won the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize in Physics for their work with isolating the carbon. The scientific breakthrough […]
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Queen’s Wharf goes big on BIM
There’s a buzz in the Brisbane CBD, and it’s not just all the digging and earth-moving. It’s also the palpable sense that the $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf project will take the city to the next level internationally. The concept drawings are certainly impressive, as are the bare numbers. The development covers more than 26 hectares, […]
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Demand rises for solar heating and cooling
A new report from the International Energy Agency Solar Heating and Cooling Technology Collaboration Programme (IEA SHC) indicates that demand for solar heating and cooling is on the rise worldwide for the first time since 2015. The report, Solar Heat Worldwide, notes that 10 of the 20 largest national markets reported growing sales in 2018. […]
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Apprentices get a $4K boost
The Australian government is offering small businesses up to $4,000 in an attempt to address industry skills shortages. The Additional Identified Skills Shortage (AISS) package offers up to $4,000 to eligible employers in small businesses, and $2,000 to new apprentices commencing a Certificate III or IV qualification on or after July 1, 2019. Air conditioning […]
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Raising the efficiency bar for homes
Expect new Australian homes to become more sustainable after an agreement at last week’s Building Ministers’ Forum (BMF) to enhance energy efficiency provisions for residential buildings in the National Construction Code (NCC). The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) has warmly welcomed the agreement. “The homes built today will still be operating in 2050 – […]
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ABCB to play key role in industry reform
The Building Ministers’ Forum (BMF) met last Thursday to discuss a range of issues facing the building and construction sector – many of which were flagged in the Shergold Weir Building Confidence report. All jurisdictions agreed to a national approach to implementing the recommendations. And the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) will play a key […]
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How flammable is ‘mildly flammable’?
A multi-million-dollar research project led by AHRI, with support from ASHRAE, the US Department of Energy and the California Air Resources Board, has comprehensively tested refrigerants to answer questions around their flammability. In Australia, the topic continues to provoke debate, and understandably so. Because of the HFC phase-down, previously common non-flammable A1 refrigerants are giving way […]
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IBM keynote at Big Data and Analytics Forum
IBM Research senior research scientist Arun Vishwanath has been named as keynote for the inaugural AIRAH Big Data and Analytics Forum. A specialist in the Internet of Things (IoT), software-defined networking (SDN), energy systems, and renewable energy, Vishwanath will kick off proceedings at the Forum, which will be held in Sydney on August 1. “It’s […]
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June 2019 the hottest on record
Buoyed by historic heatwaves in Europe and warmer conditions in the Arctic and Eurasia, June 2019 was the hottest on record. According to data released by NASA and the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), Earth soared to its highest level recorded in June. Records stretch back almost 140 years. “The record warm streaks we’ve seen in […]
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Best of the West: 2019 WA award winners
The 2019 winners of the West Australian Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Awards have been announced. A record crowd of more than 350 attendees came together at the new Westin Hotel Grand Ballroom in Perth. Adding a touch of history to proceedings, the venue stands on the same site where sponsor Baker Air Conditioning opened its […]
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Last chance to review training package
Australian Industry Standards (AIS) is coordinating an update of the national electrotechnology training package and has made the draft materials available for final comments. The electrotechnology training package includes the materials used to teach refrigeration and air conditioning throughout Australia. It has undergone some important changes. Three units have been restructured so that students get […]
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Webinar: Comparing HVAC efficiency
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) is holding a webinar on August 8 to compare the energy efficiency of key HVAC systems. The webinar is based on a world-first research project commissioned by the ARBS Foundation and carried out by Team Catalyst. It involved a comparative dynamic simulation analysis of key system configurations prevalent […]
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ARBS 2020 Industry Award nominations open
Nominations have opened for the ARBS 2020 Industry Awards. The awards recognise excellence in Australia’s HVAC, refrigeration and building services industries across a range of areas. These include: ARBS Young Achiever Award 2020 ARBS Product Excellence Award 2020 ARBS Software/Digital Excellence Award 2020 ARBS Project Excellence Award 2020 ARBS Outstanding Service & Maintenance Award 2020 […]
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Cladding safety plan unveiled
The Victorian government has announced a plan to replace combustible cladding. But the proposed approach has not met with support from all quarters. Earlier this month, the Victorian Cladding Taskforce delivered its report. It contains the results of audits performed on buildings in Victoria. Combustible cladding: state of play The report notes that although some […]
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Simulation technology and CFD
The South Australian chapter of the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), in collaboration with IFE, IHEA, IPEA and AMCA, is presenting a session on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in Adelaide on Thursday, July 18. “Do you know how simulation technology has the ability to investigate many flow challenges which can introduce light into […]
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MHIAA scores gold for design
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioners Australia (MHIAA) has been recognised at the 61st annual Good Design Awards ceremony. The Avanti Plus split system air conditioner received a prestigious gold accolade in the product design category for outstanding design and innovation. “With the rise in electricity costs and awareness around climate change, along with many air conditioners […]
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Woolies’ WRD success
The first World Refrigeration Day (WRD) took place on June 26, and businesses and organisations around the world hosted activities to celebrate the occasion. One standout event in Australia was Woolworths’ public plant room open day. Woolworths’ refrigeration team, with support from AIRAH, RACCA, RMIT University and TAFE NSW, gave participants a tour of two […]
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VEU program targets gas bills and emissions
The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program helps businesses and households cut power bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It does this by providing access to discounted energy-efficient products and services. Six new gas efficiency activities were recently added to the program, which provides access to energy-saving products through accredited providers. The activities can be undertaken by […]