Page 78
All posts
-
Beyond the business case for sustainable buildings
The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has released a report that lays out a value proposition to drive investment in a sustainable built environment. Beyond the Business Case, launched at COP26, aims to provide a timely and unique perspective for decision-makers to accelerate the industry’s sustainability transformation by capitalising on the economic opportunities, addressing risk […]
-
ABB helps Hobart Aquatic Centre slash costs
The Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre, owned and operated by the Hobart City Council, was recently upgraded as part of a major project to create a more sustainable city. One area that required work was the motors and drives used to manage the pool filtration and water circulation system, HVAC central plant, and grey water […]
-
Astro Ceiling Access Panels now available
Australian company Astro Ceiling Access Panels has launched easy-to-install manholes for commercial properties, offices, hotels and more. “Tired of tiles crumbling and making a mess?” asks the company. “Put more hours into your day with our easy-install access panels, designed to make your job safer and save you time. Our panels are designed to create […]
-
Australian aerosol tests offer COVID-19 insights
In an Australian first, aerosol tests have been conducted to evaluate the impact of ventilation using a breathing thermal manikin. The results confirm the importance of fresh air in dispersing aerosols, highlight the role that airflows play in aerosol transmission, and raise questions about the effectiveness of a 1.5m social distancing rule indoors. The team […]
-
Senva sensors promise better ventilation strategies
Senva, a sensor manufacturer partnering with AB Controls in Australia, has announced the release of the TotalSense Series indoor environmental and air quality sensor. “As building occupancy begins to recover and we return to work after COVID-19,” says Senva CEO Kent Holce, “it puts the focus on indoor air quality (IAQ) for safety and peace […]
-
AIRAH Awards countdown – Excellence in Innovation
In the lead-up to the AIRAH Awards 2021 gala on February 17, HVAC&R News is profiling the finalists in different award categories. The Excellence in Innovation category, sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric, is open to all individuals, companies, corporate bodies, institutions and government authorities. It recognises significant Australian improvements in the areas of HVAC&R achieved through […]
-
Heat transfer discovery reveals potential for ice
Researchers at Virginia Tech, USA, have made a heat transfer discovery that expands on a phenomenon discovered more than two centuries ago and points to potential new uses for ice. Associate Professor Jonathan Boreyko and graduate fellow Mojtaba Edalatpour worked together to expand on the Leidenfrost effect, named after the German doctor and theologian who wrote a paper […]
-
Smart windows to reflect or harvest heat
New research from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Oxford proposes a new “smart window” design. The design for the versatile window proposes harvesting the sun’s energy in the winter for warming and reflecting it in the summer to help keep it cool. “The major innovation is that these windows can change according […]
-
Commercial HVAC in a post-COVID-19 world
AIRAH is hosting a webinar on commercial HVAC in a post-COVID-19 world on February 3. As Australians look to get back into offices and public spaces in 2022, there is now general recognition of airborne transmission and the important role that role that HVAC systems can play in preventing the spread of the virus. But […]
-
500 Women in Property initiative opening soon
Nominations for the Property Council of Australia’s 500 Women in Property initiative are opening on January 31. The program, coordinated by the Property Council’s Diversity and Inclusion Committees throughout Australia, asks Property Council members to personally sponsor and champion women in their organisation or business sphere. The goal is to accelerate women into leadership positions […]
-
Demand for RAC skills to rise, says STC
Since the start of the COVID pandemic, the entire HVAC&R industry has had to adapt to keep working. For those in the training sector, that has proved especially difficult. Robert Parsonson is General Manager of Superior Training Centre (STC), based in Sydney. He says conditions in 2021 were nothing if not challenging. “Trade courses normally […]
-
AMCA to hold virtual Building Ventilation Summit
AMCA Australia is hosting the Building Ventilation Summit as a virtual event on February 24 and 25. “With airborne transmission now widely acknowledged as the primary source of COVID-19 transmission, the building industry has a vital role to play in supporting Australians to return to workplaces and other indoor settings confidently, safely, and sustainably,” says […]
-
An engineering adventure
ASHRAE has published its first children’s picture book, developed by the ASHRAE Student Activities Committee to promote careers in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) and in engineering. Titled Lucy’s Engineering Adventure, the book introduces children to the concepts behind HVAC&R and the built environment. It follows Lucy on her journey through an unfinished […]
-
Call to provide input for Industry Skills Survey
Australian Industry Standards (AIS) is holding a survey to identify the skills needs for various industries. AIS collects data annually from the Industry Outlook Survey to determine industry workforce planning and skill development demands. The data is especially relevant in 2022, with the dual factors of the pandemic and digital transformation impacting the labour market. The […]
-
Rectorseal launches Metacaulk CID tub box kits
Rectorseal has added Metacaulk cast-in-place device (CID) tub box kits to its product line, providing firestop penetration for plastic and metal drainpipes. Available with 2- and 3-inch Metacaulk CID, the tub box kits are designed to prevent the spread of fire from bathtubs or jet-spa drains to the upper level. No concrete drilling is required. […]
-
Panasonic releases floor-standing air purifier
Panasonic has released a floor-standing air purifier, featuring the company’s trade-marked nanoeX technology. “Creating a safe space for Australians in their homes, the purifier filters unwanted pollutants coming into the home,” says Panasonic, adding that the device reduces unwanted contaminants lingering inside to provide “optimal indoor air quality”. “With the average person breathing in 18kg […]
-
Free webinar on flammable refrigerants
The Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) is running a free Cool Talk webinar on January 27 about working safely with flammable refrigerants. The session is aimed at service engineers and technicians, and will include practical advice from experts in the application of systems containing refrigerants of various flammability categories. “With most of the lower-GWP refrigerant options […]
-
ARC welcomes guidelines for managing emissions
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has applauded the release of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria’s draft guidelines for managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for public consultation. “EPA Victoria’s release of these draft guidelines demonstrates a growing emphasis on the role we all play in the protection of our environment and broader community health from […]
-
HydroBalance range earns Australian Made certification
Water treatment specialist HydroChem has secured Australian Made certification for its HydroBalance HVAC&R maintenance range. The range has been manufactured under an exclusive licensing agreement by HydroChem in Australia for many years. “The HydroBalance brand is globally recognised for its quality and reliability,” says HydroChem, “having grown well beyond its humble beginnings in US inventor […]
-
Does R134a alternative hold promise for Australia?
US refrigerant manufacturer Koura has launched R456A, an alternative to R134a for automotive aftermarket applications. R456A has a global warming potential of 626 – about half that of R134a. According to Koura, trials have shown R456A to be compatible with existing R134a automotive air conditioning systems while maintaining “high-quality, efficient performance”. The development comes as […]