Laura Timberlake

August 23, 2019

Residential rethink in NCC 2022

Regulations

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has been directed by the Building Ministers’ Forum (BMF) to investigate possible changes to the energy efficiency provisions, with an emphasis on residential buildings in the 2022 edition of the National Construction Code (NCC). The ABCB has produced a scoping study to begin the process. The study outlines a […]

August 21, 2019

More awards for MHIAA

Business

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioners Australia (MHIAA) has added another accolade to its trophy cabinet by taking out the 2019 Canstar Blue Most Satisfied Customer Award. Receiving five stars for overall satisfaction, functionality, reliability, quietness and four stars for ease of use and value for money, MHIAA was the only brand in the air conditioners category […]

August 14, 2019

New minimum standards for large AC

Regulations

New greenhouse and energy minimum standards (GEMS) have been drafted for air conditioners above 65kW. They are open for public comment. There are currently no minimum energy efficiency requirements under the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Act for air conditioners over 65kW capacity to be sold in Australia. There are, however, requirements in the National […]

August 14, 2019

IoT – The Neurology of Building Operations

Events and conferences

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE ANZ) is holding a seminar series called “IoT – The Neurology of Building Operations” in Australia and New Zealand in September. The seminars will focus on how to use the Internet of Things (IoT) for better building operation. According to CIBSE, denser populations are bringing about the […]

August 12, 2019

AC in your pocket

Business

A Sony-affiliated startup has announced the Reon Pocket, a small Bluetooth device that can fit into a pocket and will cool and heat the wearer. Other companies and research teams are working on bringing heating and cooling to a wearable level, but the Reon Pocket looks like the first such product that could break into […]

August 7, 2019

Energy efficiency calculators ready for testing

Regulations

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has released four energy efficiency calculators for beta testing. The calculators have been developed to help users with understanding and applying the National Construction Code (NCC) Volume One Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions for the energy efficiency of façades, lighting, fans and pumps. The calculators include: Façade, Volume One Lighting, Volume One Fan Systems, Volume One […]

July 31, 2019

ABCB to revise energy efficiency provisions

Regulations

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has opened consultation for an energy efficiency scoping study. The ABCB has been directed by the Building Ministers’ Forum (BMF) to investigate possible changes to the energy efficiency provisions, with an emphasis on residential buildings in the 2022 edition of the National Construction Code (NCC). The work is to […]

July 30, 2019

A slow market for net zero homes

Business

New research has highlighted that the current housing market is slow to pick up on easy opportunities for improved energy efficiency and thermal comfort. The CRC for Low Carbon Living and Curtin University’s Dr Josh Byrne worked with industry bodies and government to provide a net zero energy home in Melbourne, Townsville, Canberra and Perth for potential buyers to view. […]

July 29, 2019

Wearable heating and cooling?

News

A material called graphene is changing the game for textiles, and could revolutionise the way we cool and heat our shared spaces. Graphene is a thin form of graphite, and can radiate or detract heat. Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov won the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize in Physics for their work with isolating the carbon. The scientific breakthrough […]

July 26, 2019

Queen’s Wharf goes big on BIM

Events and conferencesFeatures

There’s a buzz in the Brisbane CBD, and it’s not just all the digging and earth-moving. It’s also the palpable sense that the $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf project will take the city to the next level internationally. The concept drawings are certainly impressive, as are the bare numbers. The development covers more than 26 hectares, […]