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The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) and the Institute of Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers of New Zealand Inc., (IRHACE) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding. Although the two member bodies have co-operated on initiatives and knowledge sharing for many years now, the arrangement has always been an informal one. […]
The Australian Chapter of Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) has released a new Draft Reference and Guidelines for Post Cleaning Validation of Buildings Contaminated with SARS-CoV-2. This is an updated version of the original Draft of guidelines, published in April, on the validation of post-cleaning work in buildings where a person infected with COVID-19 was […]
Fujitsu has developed a wearable cooling device called the Cómodo gear that can be worn around the neck. It uses uses ventilation, water cooling and Peltier elements to lower body temperature. The device cools the blood flowing through the carotid artery and sends the heat to a water-cooled heat sink worn on the waist. It […]
Failures in the cold food chain cost the Australian economy nearly $4 billion worth of wasted food at farm gate values, says a new government- and industry-sponsored study. The study was carried out by the Melbourne-based Expert Group for the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and Refrigerants Australia. This is the first time […]
The Australian government is seeking stakeholder input on its national Technology Investment Roadmap for more affordable energy and lower emissions. “The roadmap will help prioritise Australian investments in new and developing low-emissions technologies and allow us to work towards clear priorities over the short, medium and long term,” says the government. “It will provide a […]
Engineers Without Borders USA has announced grant awards for seven proposals in its Chill Challenge, an initiative launched in September 2019 to develop affordable refrigeration technologies for off-grid households in the developing world. “The development of off-grid refrigeration has enormous potential for improving the lives of millions of the poorest and most vulnerable people on […]
Energy efficiency is traditionally assumed as a host of separate technologies to be added in order of increasing cost – the more energy saved, the greater the marginal cost of that saving. Yet as physicist Amory Lovins would counter, designing buildings, vehicles, and factories instead as whole systems could save several times more energy at […]
The Australian government has released a series of recommendations from the Report of the Expert Panel examining additional sources of low cost abatement. A panel chaired by former Business Council of Australia president, Grant King, looked at ways to incentivise low-cost abatement across the country, with a focus on the industrial, manufacturing, transport and agriculture […]
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) is calling for refrigeration and air conditioning apprentices to be prioritised among those waiting for driver licence tests. In Victoria, COVID-19 restrictions have led to the suspension of driver’s licence testing in Victoria, resulting in a backlog of almost 30,000 applicants. This includes refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) trade apprentices, […]
The National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) is seeking submissions for The Future of NABERS Energy (FoNE) paper. The FoNE project seeks to adapt NABERS Energy to match changes in the industry. NABERS Energy currently uses the National Greenhouse Accounts (NGA) emissions factors to compare buildings that use different mixes of energy sources. These […]
Researchers at RMIT University have designed a solar chimney that saves energy – and lives. While solar chimneys are known for their sustainable features – with the ability to reduce energy usage by up to 50 per cent – the researchers have designed one that is also optimised for fire safety. The new design is […]
The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) has published their sixth Informatory Note on Refrigeration and Food: The Role of Refrigeration in Worldwide Nutrition. It is an update of previous versions published by the IIR in November 1996 and June 2009. The Informatory Note draws on the latest facts and figures from reputable organisations such as […]
AIRAH is holding a Streamline webinar called “Who’s Leak is it Anyway?” on Thursday, May 21. The webinar will cover what the ever-increasing emphasis on energy efficiency and building performance means for HVAC professionals. The session will explore what is expected of HVAC professionals, building air tightness and the main failure points of HVAC professionals. […]
As winter approaches and people start heating homes and other buildings, Standards Australia has sent out a message to raise awareness about safety and energy efficiency. Standards Australia notes that standards set out requirements for the safe design, use and energy consumption of heaters and similar electrical appliances heavily used in winter. It also points […]
Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) has released a series of new digital training resources that provide an innovative and hands-on way for apprentices to understand the refrigerant recovery processes for various types of equipment. “The processes for recovering refrigerant, pressure testing, evacuating and re-charging systems are critical for both upholding industry best practice and reducing the […]
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, ASHRAE has scheduled a four-day live virtual event. The 2020 ASHRAE Virtual Conference is structured to allow participants from all over the world to take advantage of the Society’s strong technical content. The virtual conference will include more than 90 technical sessions, updates from Society leaders, and virtual networking […]
The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has developed guidance on how to reduce potential health risks when buildings reopen after the COVID-19 pandemic. 2019–20 ASHRAE President Darryl Boyce says we have reached a time where planning for a safe return to normal activities has become a priority. “Safe operation of HVAC and building water management systems […]
Life Front has released a new report with recommendations on how to safely raise the charge limits for flammable refrigerants in refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump (RACHP) applications. The EU-funded project aims to remove implementation barriers posed by legacy charge-limit standards. The report comes after the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) paved the way for […]
World Refrigeration Day (WRD) is celebrated annually on June 26, the birth date of Lord Kelvin, after whom the absolute temperature scale is named. This year, the day will be dedicated to cold chain technology, and its vital role in food security and in preserving public health and wellbeing. Designated as the world’s biggest celebration […]
Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) CEO Luke Menzel has been appointed to the Steering Committee of the Innovation Hub for Affordable Heating and Cooling, or i-Hub. Established by AIRAH in association with the CSIRO and PRIME, the i-Hub has been designed to facilitate the HVAC&R industry’s transition to a low-emissions future, stimulate jobs growth, and showcase […]