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RAC apprentices eligible for new ‘clean energy’ payment
Refrigeration and air conditioning apprentices are now eligible for additional financial support thanks to the trade’s reclassification as a “clean energy” job in the updated Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. The priority list identifies occupations for the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System, which provides support payments for both apprentices and their employers. The latest priority list also […]
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Data Driven Smart Buildings Symposium calls for speakers
The Data-Driven Smart Buildings Symposium 2023 is calling for expressions of interest to present on topics relating to data-driven smart buildings, with a focus on building operation. Slated to take place Wednesday, May 24 at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, the Symposium will be hosted in collaboration with the International Energy Agency’s Annex […]
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National conference to confront energy crisis
Returning to Sydney for the first time in five years, the National Energy Efficiency Conference 2023 (NEEC23) will take place over May 24–25. “NEEC23 will bring Australia’s foremost energy efficiency experts, forward-thinking policy makers, innovative energy users, political leaders and industry trailblazers together to network, debate and create action around reducing energy bills and cutting […]
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Ziehl-Abegg invests in new US production plant
German drive and fan manufacturer Ziehl-Abegg is investing US$100 million (AU$143 million) into a new US production plant. “This day marks the beginning of Ziehl-Abegg’s 100-million-dollar investment into a new, cutting-edge production plant for the North American market,” says Ziehl-Abegg Chief Executive Officer Doctor Marc Wucherer. This is the largest single investment at one location […]
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NSW government targets women in trades
The NSW government plans to invest more than $20 million over three years to attract more women into the construction industry, hoping to see women in 15 per cent of trade and non-traditional roles by 2030. The Women in Construction Industry Innovation Program (IIP) is a grant funding initiative that aims to deliver projects aligned […]
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Expert guide to achieving net zero by 2040
UNSW experts have produced a guide to help the construction industry achieve net zero in the built environment by 2040, contemplating not only operational emissions, but also embodied carbon and the entire life-cycle of building materials. Race to Net Zero Carbon: A Climate Emergency Guide for New and Existing Buildings in Australia details information about […]
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Tool to support move away from gas boilers
The Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity (A2EP) has launched an online estimation tool designed to aid Australian businesses in sizing heat pumps to replace gas boilers in a bid to reduce skyrocketing energy costs and decarbonise operations to meet net zero targets. A2EP notes that although the implementation of industrial heat pumps is growing rapidly […]
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MECLA shines spotlight on embodied carbon
The Materials and Embodied Carbon Leaders’ Alliance (MECLA) is hosting a Spotlight event on measuring embodied carbon, featuring industry speakers and panellists discussing present and future challenges and opportunities. Awareness about the importance of embodied carbon has been increasing in recent times, but one of the central questions remains how to measure it accurately. MECLA […]
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Reliable Controls launches online news site
Reliable Controls has launched a new online platform to share industry news, product updates, videos, tech tips, best practices and more. Known as the Resource Newsroom, Reliable Controls’ new site continues the company’s 20-year tradition of publishing a monthly newsletter and quarterly magazine to facilitate an exchange of thoughts, provide corporate updates, and support Reliable Controls Authorised […]
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Panasonic reveals new HZ Series
Panasonic has launched a new range of reverse-cycle, wall mounted split system residential air conditioners. According to Panasonic, the latest HZ Series builds upon the success of its premium reverse-cycle series, providing “top-of-the-range efficiency, design and an operating range to meet the demands of the extreme Australian climate”. The HZ Series incorporates Panasonic’s new nanoeX […]
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New material adapts heat emission for energy savings
Chicago University researchers have designed a building material that adjusts its emission of infrared colour and heat according to outdoor temperatures, which could provide low-energy temperature regulation for buildings. In a recent paper published in Nature Sustainability, researchers explained that their non-flammable electrochromic building material contains a layer that can reversibly shift between solid […]
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Gender segregation worsening in critical industries
Australian construction and engineering industries continue to have a high level of occupational gender segregation despite more women entering the workforce, according to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA). Occupational gender segregation occurs when an occupation is dominated by either male or female workers. According to CEDA, this is worsening in critical industries […]
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Carel celebrates 50 years
Carel is celebrating its 50th business anniversary with a stand at Euroshop 2023 in Düsseldorf, Germany, showcasing sustainable solutions and services for the commercial refrigeration market. Carel says its history of sustainability began when it was founded in 1973, with the group’s innovation driven by a strategy it defines as “sustainable success”. “This strategy guides […]
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Updated advice on indoor air quality
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) with support from AIRAH has released an updated handbook on indoor air quality. The handbook, last updated in 2021, has been revised to align with NCC 2022 and assist in understanding the indoor air quality (IAQ) verification methods in NCC Volume One and Volume Two. “The handbook contains explanations […]
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Aeroseal underused Down Under, says Clean-Air
HVAC hygiene experts Clean-Air are promoting the benefits of Aeroseal Duct Sealing technology, including the important role it can play in making buildings more energy efficient. Aeroseal is designed to reduce energy costs by increasing the efficiency of HVAC fans and by eliminating excess ventilation loads. “Sixty per cent of a building’s HVAC energy goes […]
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NSW strengthens fire safety regulations
The NSW government has made important changes to its fire safety regime to address shortcomings of the system. The Fire Safety Regulation 2022, published in December 2022, requires engineers to seek comment from the Fire Commissioner when developing performance solutions for Class 2–9 buildings, ensuring that the NSW fire authority is more engaged in the […]
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Updated guide on condensation management
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has released an updated condensation management guide that explains the new provisions in the 2022 version of the National Construction Code (NCC 2022). NCC 2022 will be adopted by states and territories on May 1, 2023, with some requirements – including those relating to condensation management – commencing on […]
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Air conditioning costs to cause discomfort
Melbourne-based startup Conry Tech is highlighting the increased costs of air conditioning this year, and predicts this will bring mainstream attention to what is typically an invisible issue. Conry Tech CEO and co-founder Sam Ringwaldt, M.AIRAH, estimates that power bills for air conditioning will be over $12.4 billion in 2023, given recent energy price rises. […]
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A clearer view of Australia’s commercial building stock
A new national report on energy consumption of buildings has revealed that Australia’s commercial building stock is almost double what was previously thought – and offers important signposts for the journey towards net zero. The 2022 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Baseline Study, published by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), […]
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Final report from ASHRAE Global HVAC&R Summit released
The final report from the ASHRAE Global HVAC&R Summit held in Istanbul, Turkey last October has been released by the US-based engineering association. “The Summit was designed to create an environment of collaboration and strategic dialogue to address the critical issues of the day, which were determined via the results of an international survey developed […]