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The Victorian government is once again looking for suppliers to join the Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Program. In response to industry feedback, applications are now open online, via VendorPanel, the government’s eProcurement Platform. The program offers rebates to replace gas, electric and wood heaters with reverse-cycle split systems in low-income and vulnerable households. It […]
The Victorian government has published a guide to optimising the performance of commercial refrigeration and cooling equipment. Aimed at end-users, it contains information on refrigerant gases, energy use, and a maintenance checklist for typical equipment. “Refrigeration and cooling systems can use a lot of energy and, if not properly maintained, may leak refrigerants,” reads the […]
Representatives from Victorian and federal governments were present for the unveiling of two new technologies from Rinnai Australia that are designed with future energy in mind. The first is a continuous flow hot water system developed by Rinnai Japan for the domestic market, which uses 100 per cent hydrogen combustion technology. Rinnai plans to start […]
The Victorian government has released its Gas Substitution Roadmap with the stated aim of helping the state navigate the path to net-zero emissions while providing greater consumer choice and cutting energy bills. The government is touting the plan as Australia’s “first coordinated decarbonisation plan for the gas sector”. And there are good reasons for Victoria […]
Industry has warned that building owners and operators may face a financial burden as a result of amendments to the Gas Safety Regulation 2022 in Victoria and the new requirements for maintenance of gas-fired equipment that came into effect on June 1, 2022. With the amendments, two major changes have taken place. First, AS 4575 […]
After a successful pilot program, Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) has officially announced the continuing professional development (CPD) requirements for electrical licence holders. At its most simple, most licence holders, including electricians and restricted electrical licence (REL) holders, must now complete a day of CPD training, before their licence can be renewed. CPD can be completed […]
Energy Safe Victoria is assessing whether to exercise its powers to restrict the supply and sale of open-flued gas space heaters (OFGSHs) that do not comply with the current AS/NZS 5263.1.3 standard. After a consultation in 2020–21 to decide on the best approach to phasing out of OFGSHs that may pose safety risks for households, […]
The Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts, and Regions (DJPR) is running a survey to analyse the capabilities of the HVAC sector in Victoria. The survey has been created in response to the combined challenges of supply-chain disruptions and greater demand for improved HVAC systems to prevent the airborne spread of COVID-19. The survey takes less […]
The Victorian Business Licensing Authority has approved the AIRAH Professional Engineer Register (APER) program under the Professional Engineers Registration Act 2019. This follows the approval for the APER in Queensland in 2021, and represents the next step of AIRAH’s plan to provide a professional registration scheme for HVAC&R building services engineers across the country. AIRAH […]
As the Victorian government announces a relaxing of rules for mask wearing, it has also unveiled a stimulus package to support businesses and entice people back into venues and workplaces. Although the incentives for dining, entertainment and travel have been offered before, this time there is new funding aimed specifically at ventilation. A $60 million […]
The Victorian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has released a new draft guideline for managing greenhouse gas emissions. Under Victoria’s Environment Protection Act 2017, which came into effect on July 1, 2021, people conducting activities that pose risks of harm to human health or the environment from pollution and waste must understand those risks and take […]
The Victorian Department of Health has published guidelines on ventilation principles and strategies to reduce aerosol transmission of COVID-19. With the release of the document, the Victorian government has gone further than other jurisdictions in providing detailed information and advice on the subject of COVID-19 and ventilation. The state is still recording a high number […]
The Victorian government has launched a $6 million fund to support projects that promote training for an expanded clean energy workforce. The Clean Economy Workforce Capacity Building Fund provides grants up to $1 million for collaboration between industry and training providers to deliver innovation in clean economy training and workforce development. Funding can be used […]
Victoria’s Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades (HHCU) program is expanding to include landlords and renters, and is looking for suppliers to join the program. The program offers rebates to replace gas, electric and wood heaters with reverse-cycle split systems in low-income and vulnerable households. It plans to reach 250,000 households over the next three years, […]
The Victorian government has announced it will invest more than $190 million in initiatives to support a COVID-safe reopening of schools, with a focus on ventilation. Billed by the government as “the biggest investment in education ventilation in Australian history”, the initiative will see 51,000 air purification devices rolled out to all government and low-fee […]
As students and staff prepare for a return to face-to-face learning, the NSW government has begun a comprehensive review of ventilation in public schools. Described as a “mammoth undertaking”, it will look at 2,200 schools in the public system, which has more than 50,000 learning spaces. Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell […]
The Victorian government has initiated the next major stage of its program to help low-income households replace old heaters with energy-efficient reverse-cycle systems. The Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Program will help 250,000 low-income and vulnerable households improve their thermal comfort by offering rebates to upgrade gas, electric and wood heaters with energy-efficient reverse-cycle split […]
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is updating the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program for refrigerated cabinets. Refrigerated cabinets are designed to store and display chilled and/or frozen food items, and are typically used in retail stores such as supermarkets, petrol stations, liquor outlets and smaller food and beverage vendors. The VEU […]
The Victorian government is seeking community and industry input to help inform Victoria’s gas substitution roadmap and assist the gas sector to reach net zero emissions. The roadmap will detail the transition pathways and identify policy mechanisms to achieve Victoria’s emissions reduction targets through reduced fugitive emissions, more efficient use of gas, electrification and increased […]
The Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is inviting HVAC&R companies to express their interest in becoming registered suppliers for the Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades program. The Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades (HHCU) program has the goal of helping 250,000 low-income and vulnerable households improve their thermal comfort by offering rebates […]