Mark Vender

July 27, 2020

EnergyTech Hub to accelerate energy transition

News

Energy businesses will be given a helping hand to enter the Australian clean energy market following the launch of the EnergyTech Hub, a new scale program powered by the international startup business accelerator Startupbootcamp. The EnergyTech Hub is designed to accelerate Australia’s energy transition. Its intention is to ensure some of the best new global […]

July 23, 2020

Kirby Apprentice Fund celebrates first birthday

BusinessNews

On World Refrigeration Day in June, the Kirby Apprentice Fund celebrated its first anniversary. The fund accumulated $6,065 in donations with 83 HVAC&R apprentices registered across 63 companies. The fundraising efforts made by Kirby staff, customers and suppliers CPS, Supercool Group, Testo, Fieldpiece, HLP Controls, Danfoss, Emerson, Tesuco, Sauermann, VetoProPak and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, have […]

July 23, 2020

ASHRAE releases reopening guide for schools

News

The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has developed guidance on the operation of HVAC systems to help mitigate the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19 disease) as US schools prepare to reopen for a new academic year. ASHRAE’s position is that “transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through the air is sufficiently likely that airborne exposure […]

July 23, 2020

A big data lens on COVID-19

Events and conferences

As building owners and facilities managers grapple with the task of keeping occupants safe in a post-COVID-19 world, one discipline that may provide answers is big data and analytics. Amber Keogh is Manager of Transformational Projects at Hendry, a leading built-form advisory firm, and also the keynote speaker at AIRAH’s Big Data and Analytics Forum, […]

July 21, 2020

HVAC&R is the key to averting climate crisis

News

A new report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) has flagged the huge potential of the HVAC&R sector to reduce global emissions. The Cooling Emissions and Policy Synthesis Report notes that over the next four decades, international action on energy-efficient, climate-friendly cooling could avoid as much as 460 […]

July 16, 2020

Apprentices and trainees receive $2.5bn boost

Regulations

The federal government has announced a new $2.5bn package to support training and job creation, and to help the economy recover from the impact of COVID-19. The bulk of the funding will go towards extending and expanding the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees (SAT) wage subsidy. This program pays 50 per cent of an apprentice’s wages, […]

July 9, 2020

Comments open on national registration framework

Regulations

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has released a draft National Registration Framework for Building Practitioners for public comment. This follows up on the Building Confidence report, which signalled the need for the registration of building practitioners involved in the design, construction and maintenance of buildings. Accordingly, the ABCB has released a discussion paper that puts forward […]

July 8, 2020

Grosvenor launches natural refrigerant service

BusinessNews

Technical services company Grosvenor Engineering Group has introduced a dedicated natural refrigerant technology service for HVAC&R systems. Through the service, the company hopes to help the Australian commercial office market reduce its carbon footprint by providing a green alternative. “The opportunity for the use of natural refrigerants is broad within the commercial market,” says Grosvenor […]

July 7, 2020

Concerns over non-compliant pipework

Regulations

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has raised concerns about refrigeration contractors not complying with piping changes in NCC 2019. In NCC 2016, the code required (from Spec J5.2c, 2.(a)): (ii) For heated or chilled water piping, having a material R-Value not less than that specified in Table 2a; and (iii) For refrigerant, steam or […]

July 3, 2020

New rules for AC with flammable refrigerant

Regulations

As of July 1, 2020, new rules govern the sale of air conditioners with flammable refrigerants in New South Wales. The rules apply to air conditioners with Class 2 and Class 3 refrigerants, for example hydrocarbons, but not Class 2L refrigerants, such as R32. Air conditioners with these refrigerants are now considered “declared articles” and […]