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The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced an HFC reduction of 40 per cent below historic levels from 2024 through 2028. The rule aligns with the bipartisan American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act’s goals to reduce the production and consumption of HFCs by 85 per cent by 2036. The US began its phase-down on […]
ASHRAE and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) have announced the project selections for the 2023 ASHRAE-UNEP OzonAction Lower-GWP Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Innovation Awards. The annual international award program promotes innovative design, research and practice by recognising people who have developed or implemented innovative technological concepts applied in developing countries to promote lower global warming potential […]
A novel dew-point CO2 refrigeration system has been deployed at a Coles supermarket in Norwood, South Australia. The project is the culmination of seven years of research activities, trials and product development, including partnerships between the University of South Australia, the RACE for 2030 Cooperative Research Centre, Coles, and Adelaide-based Glaciem Cooling Technologies. According to […]
Improving the thermal performance in Australian homes is an urgent priority to ease cost of living pressures, improve occupant wellbeing, and reduce energy consumption and emissions. So says H2: Opportunity Assessment Enhancing home thermal efficiency, a new RMIT University-led report, commissioned by RACE for 2030. The report assesses current challenges related to home thermal efficiency […]
Australia’s largest international HVAC&R and building services trade show, ARBS 2024, is returning to the International Convention Centre in Sydney from May 28–30, 2024. “HVAC&R and building services professionals mark your calendars!” say the organisers, “ARBS provides the most comprehensive range of HVAC&R and building services products and solutions in one location, allowing the entire […]
ASHRAE has announced the approval for publication of its airborne infection risk mitigation standard for buildings. ASHRAE Standard 241 Control of Infectious Aerosols establishes minimum requirements to reduce the risk of disease transmission by exposure to infectious aerosols in new buildings, existing buildings, and major renovations. The standard has been developed to reduce exposure to […]
World Refrigeration Day, dubbed the coolest day of the year, will be marked on June 26 this year with a range of celebrations aimed at raising the profile of HVAC&R. First started in 2019, WRD honours the important contribution that HVAC&R makes globally across all aspects of modern life. It’s an opportunity to highlight the […]
The Victorian government has confirmed that it will delay the adoption of key provisions in the National Construction Code until May 2024. Victoria has extended the transitional arrangements for updated energy efficiency, condensation mitigation requirements, and liveable housing requirements. This includes the lifting of minimum energy efficiency requirements for new homes from 6 to 7 […]
The Australian federal government intends to implement restrictions on small air conditioning equipment with high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant. From July 1, 2024, Australia will ban the import and manufacture of small air conditioning equipment using refrigerant with a GWP over 750. This ban will apply to equipment with up to 2.6kg refrigerant charge […]
The Environmental Investigation Agency US (EIA US) has released a new report calling for private sector commitments on cooling to be meaningful enough to tackle the climate crisis. EIA US says the suite of government contributions to curb greenhouse gas emissions alone are not enough to put the world on a path to limit warming to […]
The Victorian government has announced that some requirements in the National Construction Code that were due to come into effect in October 2023 may be delayed, including those around energy efficiency. In 2022, industry stakeholders advocated strongly to lift the minimum energy efficiency requirements for new homes from 6 to 7 NatHERS stars – the […]
The Green Building Council of Australia and Lendlease have released a practical guide to reduce upfront carbon emissions in new buildings and major refurbishments. The authors note that 25 per cent of a typical building’s emissions can be attributed to the products and materials used during construction, and the construction processes themselves. These emissions can’t […]
William Bahnfleth will present an AIRAH Streamline session on integrating IAQ and energy-efficient buildings on June 8 at 12.30pm (AEST). As awareness increases about the need for better indoor air, and as we strive to reduce energy consumption in buildings, one of the biggest challenges is how to achieve both goals at the same time. […]
World Refrigeration Day has announced its theme for 2023: “Next Generation Cooling: The Future is in our hands”. World Refrigeration Day celebrates the people and technologies responsible for creating and maintaining a world dependent upon temperature-controlled environments. Taking place on June 26, the event is supported globally by industry, professional groups, scientific and engineering associations, […]
On May 15, the eyes of the global HVAC&R community were trained on the US, as ASHRAE released the first draft of Standard 241P Control of Infectious Aerosols. The standard provides minimum requirements for HVAC-related measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, influenza, and other airborne viruses in homes, offices, schools, and hospitals […]
Johnson Controls has announced it will acquire Gordon Brothers Industries (GBI), an Australian solutions provider of industrial refrigeration system design, construction, services and parts. The addition is intended to strengthen Johnson Controls’ growth in the region and beyond. “The acquisition of GBI is one that ensures that Australian businesses are served by the best technology,” […]
Following a vote at the Institute’s annual Convention, Dr Michael Riese, M.AIRAH, has officially joined AIRAH’s national board. Originally from Germany and now based in Adelaide, Riese works for industrial and commercial refrigeration specialist Cold Logic, where he leads the Defence Division and is also responsible for Cold Logic’s R&D effort. AIRAH President Paul Jackson, […]
ASHRAE has announced the completion of the first draft of its standard for maintaining healthy indoor air quality (IAQ), with final approval expected in June and publishing anticipated in July. ASHRAE Standard 241P, Control of Infectious Aerosols provides minimum requirements for HVAC-related measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, influenza, and other airborne […]
AIRAH has applauded the Australian 2023–24 Federal Budget and its strong investment in a net zero future. It also notes that success will require ambition, as well as continued cooperation between government and industry. AIRAH CEO Trish Hyde says the federal government has wisely combined short-term relief with investments that will bring energy bills down […]
As energy prices rise and temperatures drop, RMIT researchers note that one in four Australian households are struggling to pay their power bills. Despite this, many are missing out on welfare benefits because their circumstances do not fit within assistance programs, a phenomenon known as “hidden energy poverty”. A new study, published in Energy Research […]