HVAC&R Nation June 2021 by AIRAH

One One country, country, many many rules rules Working Working across across borders in Australia borders in Australia

Skills

WORKSHOP

Air measurement techniques

Skills

WORKSHOP

Air measurement techniques

Smashing High achievers in AC

the performance ceiling Global Cooling Prize winners Meet the winning smash AC thesystems performance of the Global ceiling Cooling Prize

June 2021 / ISSUE 138

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June 2021 / ISSUE 138

Smashing the performance ceiling 19

HVAC&R Nation is published by the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air conditioning and Heating (Inc). AIRAH – National Office James Harrison Centre 3/1 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Tel: 03 8623 3000

Fax: 03 9614 8949

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Magazine team Communications Manager Matthew Dillon matt.dillon@airah.org.au Tel: 03 8623 3000 Editor Mark Vender mark.vender@airah.org.au Tel: 03 8623 3001 Contributing writers Sean McGowan Willow Aliento

The Global Cooling Prize offered a million dollars to anyone who could build a high‑performance air conditioner with five times less climate impact than existing models. Some people thought it was an impossible challenge, but two teams achieved it.

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Glenn Douglas glenn.douglas@airah.org.au Tel: 0411 839 667

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Global Update

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John McGrath john.mcgrath@airah.org.au Tel: 0419 556 108

ISSN 1834-9522

HVAC&R Nation is printed on paper sourced from well manned forests and other controlled sources.

Disclaimer HVAC&R Nation is an official publication of the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating Inc. Statements expressed in HVAC&R Nation do not necessarily reflect the policy or views of AIRAH or its members. No responsibility is accepted by AIRAH, the Editor or HVAC&R Nation’s supply partners for the accuracy of information or for errors or omissions. HVAC&R Nation is distributed without charge to all financial members of AIRAH. The publisher reserves the right to alter or omit any article or advertisement submitted and requires indemnity from advertisers and contributors against damages or liabilities that may arise from material published. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without permission of the Publisher.

11,510 September 2020

Industry news from around the world

Around the Nation

Air measurement techniques

Exclusive to this issue

Preventative maintenance tips for hot water systems

Insurance advice

See what’s new in the ‘Shed

Skills Workshop

Protect your tools with these high-tech thief stoppers

Who’s in the news?

Smoko with …

Q&A with Dennis Kenworthy

One country, many rules

For HVAC&R technicians, working across state borders is a complicated business. Willow Aliento explores the obstacles – and shares the ways some fridgies have overcome them.

Green Wedge

Sustainable snacks with peanut-shell packaging

Lighter Side

The shonkier side of the nation

PLEASE CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENT AND RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO KEEP IT.

June 2021

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HVAC&R Nation

Ed’s letter

DOWN ON THE BORDER On the surface, the differences between Australia’s states and territories are not extreme.

Occupational licensing for trades, WH&S and building regulations, and government incentive schemes, are all different depending on the jurisdiction. If you work in a border area, or across various capital cities, you’ll know this only too well.

Whether you’re in Port Macquarie or Perth, on Bruny Island or Thursday Island, you can pull out the same five-dollar note and order the same sausage roll in the same language. And in the pretty much the same accent, the person behind the counter will ask if you want sauce with that. Sure, there are differences. Growing up a Sydney boy, my first drive south of the border felt very exotic. The pub at Albury-Wodonga served a beer I had never tasted before: Carlton Draught. In Melbourne, there were these strange intersections I’d been warned about where you turned right from the left lane. And they had a casino! But all these were more what you’d call charming idiosyncrasies rather than fully blown differences.

Then, last year, COVID-19 made the borderlines starkly visible to all Australians. Families and communities were cut in half. Even now, for interstate travel, the threat of snap lockdowns and forced quarantine looms large. This has made us focus on our state and territories like never before. Our feature on page 10 looks at life across borders for those in the HVAC&R industry. Connected to this, you might be aware that something called Automatic Mutual Recognition is on the way, starting July 1 this year. The aim is to eliminate red tape for those working across borders. In theory, it could be what large parts of the industry have long desired: occupational licensing for fridgies that is consistent across the country. How it will work in practice remains to be seen.

I could drive across the border with my NSW licence, and it was valid. No border checks. No paperwork necessary. Of course, that’s not the same for all licences and permits.

And a quick shout for our cover feature, about the Global Cooling Prize – aka the quest to find the next‑level residential air conditioner. It’s an initiative we have been covering since 2018, and have followed through the call for designs, the selection of finalists, the testing of prototypes, and now the announcement of the winners. What’s the big deal, you might ask? Well, it’s about recognising how important air conditioning is to both human comfort and human survival on this planet, and steering us in the right direction. I congratulate the winners, and the organisers for their vision and drive. The prize may have finished, but the journey has just begun. ■ @AIRAHnews

Mark Vender Editor mark.vender@airah.org.au

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June 2021

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Toolshed 1

Energy recovery from Armcor

Armcor Air Solutions has launched a new series of energy recovery ventilators (ERV) – the XCM Compact Multiflow range.

“We are seeing more and more air handling unit manufacturers and M&E consultants incorporating direct and indirect evaporative cooling strategies into their AHU designs. The new Condair MC incorporates many innovative hygiene, installation and operational features, making it an ideal solution for evaporative cooling or adiabatic humidification.”

“As we pull out of COVID-19, the requirements for fresh air and mixing of air between occupied spaces are being re-evaluated,” says Armcor. “It is predicted that there will be a shift towards individual airflow and contaminant isolation of occupant areas, such as motel and accommodation precincts. Thus, the demand for multiple small-capacity equipment could rise.” The R&D team at Armcor has redesigned the XCM range of ERVs, to bring to market what it calls not only the most versatile unit available but also a leading Australian-made product.

Go to www.condair.com.au ■

The XCM range was named after three key features and attributes.

One such advance is needlepoint bipolar ionisation (NPBI), which has been patented by indoor air solutions company GPS, and is now being made available in Australia through IAQ Ventilation. GPS explains that NPBI differs from other systems because it operates without producing ozone or harmful by-products. “NPBI produces millions of positively and negatively charged ions that travel through the air via the HVAC system,” says IAQ Ventilation, “continuously seeking out and attaching to harmful particles — including pathogens’ surface proteins, rendering the pathogens ineffective.”

Go to armcor.com.au ■

The finer points of IAQ

Although ionisation systems have been around for many years, they have recently gained renewed attention due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and because of advances in the technology.

Xchange refers to energy exchange, the heart of the unit. Compact signifies the low-profile height for horizontal or vertical installation, suited for ceiling or underfloor spaces. And Multiflow refers to the variety of duct connection options, available by interchanging the access panel and the duct connection panel. “No shortcuts with quality,” says Armcor. “A true game‑changer for flexible installation options – installers will love the time saving and versatility of the new XCM Compact Multiflow range of ERV.”

“With every kilogram of humidity provided by an evaporative humidifier, around 0.68kW of adiabatic cooling is also achieved. This sustainable cooling technology presents great potential to reduce the carbon footprint of our built environment.

Sweet instruments from Sauermann

Sauermann has launched a new range of instruments for measuring a variety of parameters in a diverse set of HVAC&R applications. “For over 40 years, Sauermann has designed, manufactured, and sold products and services dedicated to industrial and HVAC&R markets,” says the company. “The group specifically focuses on the detection, measurement, and control of indoor air quality for HVAC&R professionals.”

Two of the names behind the company are Ivi Simms, M.AIRAH; and Jenny Smith, Affil.AIRAH. After searching for an effective IAQ solution for many years, Smith says she finally found it in NPBI.

Sauermann’s full range of instruments comprises: a dual input thermometer (Si-TT3), infrared thermometer (Si-TI3), thermo‑hygrometer (Si-HH3), vane thermo-anemometer (Si-VV3), hotwire thermo-anemometer (Si-VH3), and digital differential pressure manometer (Si-PM3).

“It produces the cleanest, safest air possible,” says Smith, “and is of great benefit not just in preventing the spread of COVID-19, but also in helping sufferers of mould illnesses, pollen allergies, asthma, chemical sensitivities and air pollutants.” IAQ Ventilation recommends NPBI for hospitals and healthcare, higher education, airports, offices, care facilities and government facilities, among other applications. White papers that detail the system’s results against various pathogens, including COVID-19, are available upon request.

These instruments measure a variety of parameters including temperature, relative humidity, pressure, air velocity and airflow.

Go to www.iaqventilation.com.au ■

Sauermann says its user-friendly Si-HVACR Measurement MobileApp completes the range by displaying measurement data directly on a user’s smartphone or tablet.

Go to www.sauermanngroup.com ■

Measuring technology supplier Testo has released its thermal imager testo 883.

Condair’s in-duct humidifier and cooler

Condair is launching the Condair MC, a new in-duct evaporative humidifier and cooler. According to the company, a single unit is capable of supplying up to 360kg/h of humidity and about 245kW of adiabatic cooling to an air handling unit (AHU) from less than 0.15kW of electrical energy. The Condair MC consists of an evaporative module and hydraulic unit, which sits inside the AHU, and a control panel located outside. The evaporative module is a wall of corrugated glass fibre media cassettes, with stainless steel frames, through which the air flows. The hydraulic unit pumps water to the top of the evaporative module to wet the glass fibre media and humidify the air flowing through it. “We are delighted to be adding the Condair MC to our evaporative humidifier range,” says Condair Australia Managing Director Ian Eitzen, Affil.AIRAH. 6

HVAC&R Nation

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June 2021

testo 883 does the work

“This thermal imager, which offers the best image quality and automatic image management, was developed and manufactured entirely in Germany, and greatly reduces the day-to-day workload of those who specialise in the efficient operation of plants,” the company says. The testo 883 thermal imager offers an infrared resolution of 320×240 pixels, which can even be expanded to 640×480 pixels with the built-in testo SuperResolution technology. Testo says the manual focus guarantees users full control of the thermal image. Testo says its SiteRecognition technology solves the problem of similar-looking images by automatically recognising the measuring location and saving and managing the thermal images. “This rules out any mix-ups, prevents errors during evaluation, and saves a lot of time by eliminating the need for manual image assignment,” the company says.

Toolshed “With the testo Thermography App, thermal images can be quickly analysed on a smartphone/tablet or shared with colleagues and managers. Readings from the testo 770-3 clamp meter are also integrated directly into the thermal image.”

Sekisui Foam Australia has announced the release of Thermobreak Ductboard, a new dual-purpose composite duct insulation. It is designed to provide both thermal insulation and acoustic insulation of air conditioning ductwork.

The testo 883 thermal imager is available now on its own or in a kit with telephoto lens, additional battery and charging station, from specialist dealers and also directly from Testo. Go to www.testo.com/en-AU/ ■

In the early 1990s, Sekisui Foam Australia developed Thermobreak Insulation based on the properties of physically crosslinked closed cell polyolefin foam, a technology invented by the Sekisui Chemical Co.

Tougher technology from Pacific Ventilation

“The addition of Thermobreak Ductboard further advances the Thermobreak range available in Australia and will be manufactured in Sydney in a range of thicknesses complying with National Construction Code Thermal R values,” says the company.

Pacific Ventilation has released its new PRF aggressive media fan. The company says the plastic centrifugal fan is ideal for applications where the extraction of dirt, corrosive gases, or other aggressive vapour will harm a standard fan. The PRF aggressive media fan is available in a range of sizes and has an available line of tight-fitting accessories like splinter protection, connections, and dampers.

7 Sekisui’s dual purpose

Manufactured by Systemair Group and assembled in Melbourne, the PRF range is suitable for labs, medical facilities, laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and food, metal, or chemical industries. Available in PE or PP, the UV-resistant, waterproof casing is adjustable during assembly. Contractors and consultants can obtain the complete chemical agent compatibility and handing sheets by contacting sales@pacificventilation.com.

“The new range will offer the combined benefits of thermal insulation, sound absorption and fibre-free installation. Thermobreak Ductboard provides durability and peace of mind, especially where moisture is a concern or indoor air quality is critical.” The new product is manufactured in Australia and is available nationally. Go to www.sekisuifoam.com.au ■

Go to pacificventilation.com ■

DO YOU HAVE A NEW PRODUCT TO GO IN THE TOOLSHED?

Email mark.vender@airah.org.au All submissions received will be considered, though publication cannot be guaranteed.

Save on space, without sacrificing performance. Slim Modular VRF For more details, visit: hitachiaircon.com.au/business

June 2021

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HVAC&R Nation

Global Update

CHINA AND THE USA

SOUTH KOREA

SUPERPOWERS ALIGN ON KIGALI

A SENSE-ABLE IDEA

China and the US have affirmed their joint commitment to phasing down HFCs in line with the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. The announcement came after two days of talks between US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and China Special Envoy for Climate Change Xie Zhenhua. Chinese president Xi Jinping had earlier confirmed his country’s intention to ratify the amendment in a meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and President Emmanuel Macron of France. The bilateral talks with the US produced a larger package of collaborative approaches to tackling the climate crisis. The Kigali Amendment aims to phase down HFC production worldwide by at least 80 per cent over the coming decades under the Montreal Protocol. If fully implemented, it could prevent up to 0.5°C of global warming by the end of this century. China’s participation in Kigali is vital – it will cover more than half of the world’s HFC production and use. ■

To solve these issues the research team used what is known as a metasurface, which can transmit two-way holograms or 3D video images by controlling light. Unlike conventional devices, the sensor developed by the research team doesn’t require support from external mechanical or electronic devices. “This newly developed ultra-compact wearable gas sensor provides a more intuitive holographic visual alarm than the conventional auditory or simple light alarms,” says Professor Junsuk Rho. “It is anticipated to be especially effective in more extreme work environments where acoustic and visual noise are intense.” ■

USA

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT

VIRTUAL VIRTUOSITY

“This is an important step towards a more circular and sustainable approach when sourcing material, manufacturing and supplying our products,” says Susanne Pahlén Åklundh, president of Alfa Laval’s Energy Division. “Starting in the Nordic region, the recycling initiative will include three types of heat exchangers. However, we see great opportunities to expand the scope to other product groups and geographical areas in the future. This initiative is a win-win, to the benefit of our customers as well as to society.” Stena Recycling Sweden MD Fredrik Pettersson says effective solutions can be unearthed when organisations work together. “As the industry receives help with significant energy efficiencies, we ensure a high recycling rate of older and inefficient plate heat exchangers in Sweden,” he says. “These materials can be used as … quality raw materials for new products.” ■ |

“Conventional gas-sensing devices are not widely used, due to their high cost,” POSTech says. “In addition, commercial gas sensors have limitations in that they are difficult to use, and have poor portability and reaction speed.”

SWEDEN

In partnership with Stena, a leading local recycling company, Swedish-based HVAC giant Alfa Laval is offering recycling of its heat exchangers.

A research team at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTech) has developed an inexpensive, ultra-compact wearable hologram sensor that immediately notifies users of volatile gas detection.

HVAC&R Nation

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June 2021

A Purdue Polytechnic Institute professor is researching how virtual reality could be used to modernise the construction industry’s traditional methods of training a new workforce. Years of on-the-job training, repeated observation, imitation and practice is the traditional approach to help workers develop skills. Using virtual reality as a training tool has the potential to make this process more efficient. “It’s about building a better workforce,” says Purdue Professor Anthony Sparkling. “With newer processes, practices and systems, we hope to help companies develop their people more efficiently. “We’re trying to help potential retirees convey what is second nature to them through virtual reality experiences, to educate new professionals and transfer that knowledge from one generation to another. It can take 20 years to be recognised as an expert in the field, so we’re trying to shorten that timeline.” Increased use of virtual reality could also save on real-world resources such as metal and wood. ■

June 2021

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HVAC&R Nation

Feature

ONE COUNTRY, MANY RULES One driver’s licence lets you drive anywhere in Australia. Unfortunately, the situation for occupational licences is a lot more complex and challenging, especially since the pandemic began. Willow Aliento reports. Working across state and territory borders has always been challenging for tradies. But in 2020, the level of difficulty ramped up due to the COVID-19 pandemic and border restrictions.

She also pointed out that following major disasters such as the 2020 bushfires, the requirement to apply for new licenses and certifications can be a barrier to tradies from less-affected states travelling to offer their skills where the workers are desperately needed.

It also highlighted some of the major difficulties around varying state and territory rules in areas such as workplace health and safety. Each jurisdiction has different requirements, and varying degrees of success in communicating them.

STRADDLING THE BORDER For those in the HVAC&R sector based in cross-border regions such as Albury-Wodonga or Gold Coast-Tweed, the struggle is very real.

At the same time, the ongoing national conversation around trade registration and professional certification has again come to the fore.

Founder of Gold Coast HVAC contractors Asset Associated Airconditioning and Air, Nicolas Perugino, has worked in HVAC&R for 38 years. During the COVID-19 border closures he had to navigate checkpoints near Coolangatta airport that involved up to an hour of wait time, even though travel within the NSW-Queensland border bubble for work was permitted.

It’s a real red tape nightmare that we simply don’t need

“It’s been a huge inconvenience,” he says.

in a border community

There were also some staff in NSW that were affected by the sudden changes to border regulations. For example, there was a six-week period where they could travel to Beenleigh in Queensland for work, but could only be onsite. They weren’t allowed to go and grab lunch or stop for groceries on the way home.

Independent member for Indi, Helen Haines, told parliament during the debate on the Mutual Recognition Amendment Bill 2021 that most tradies in Wodonga, Victoria, do jobs across the border in Albury, and vice versa. “It’s a fact of life,” said Haines. “It’s how our businesses operate. But these workers need to apply for two registrations to do this work – one in Victoria, one in New South Wales – and this can cost in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. It’s a real red tape nightmare that we simply don’t need in a border community.” 10

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Perugino says one of the major differences between NSW and Queensland is in terms of workplace health and safety – different penalties for workplace injuries, for example. One thing that is the same though, says Perugino, is that there are areas in both states where |

June 2021

regulations are not stringent enough, and insufficient enforcement is also a common problem.

HEAT KILLS – BUT AT WHAT TEMPERATURE? One area where there is a major variation is rules around working in heat. A tradie working in Coolangatta on the Queensland side of the border has the right to stop work if ambient conditions are above 38°C. This is not the case across the road in Tweed Heads on the NSW side, where the CFMEU EBAs state that workers will stop work and leave site when the temperature reaches 35°C. Perugino also notes that these rules do not cover scenarios such as working in a roof cavity, where it may be 10 or 20°C hotter than it is outside. “The law says everything has to be done in the spirit of the law, and it also has to be done in a way that is easy for everyone to understand,” he says. “Everyone has the right to go to work and come home safely, that is my belief.” Until recently, working on both sides of the border also meant needing to ensure the company held WHS insurance that would meet requirements in both states – and the costs can vary significantly. Different regulations exist for HVAC&R trades in each state. This means tradies working on both sides of the border needed two sets of permits and licenses. The mutual recognition act has helped in some cases. However, variations remain when it comes to the type and size of projects a NSW or Queensland tradie is licensed to do.

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HVAC&R Nation

Feature SERVICING MULTIPLE STATES

“South Australia has [mostly] been COVID-free, we are a lucky state,” Riese says, “so we have only had to implement very small measures here.

Cold Logic is a specialist commercial refrigeration business that works across the asset life‑cycle, including design, construction, commissioning, maintenance, breakdown and performance auditing.

“The main changes we made are making more use of remote fault-finding and remote commissioning. For example, we had a project in Queensland that was undertaken by an engineer and staff working remotely from out of our Adelaide office.

With offices in South Australia and Victoria, working across multiple state borders is a fundamental part of how the company operates. Business development manager Dr Michael Riese, M.AIRAH, says that since the pandemic started, the company has undertaken projects in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland – and faced ever-changing border restrictions. Staff needed to move in and out of Queensland and New South Wales, which meant dealing with permit systems and other requirements. During the hard border lockdown between NSW and Victoria, a staff member from NSW got “stuck” in Victoria and was not allowed to return home.

“We were already using digital collaboration because we have offices in both Melbourne and Adelaide. So, on March 27, 2020, when the national work‑from‑home order came in, it was a case of ‘grab what you need from the office and go home’. ”

VARIATIONS IN WHS AND CERTIFICATION The core credentials for fridgies – such as the Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning – are nationally recognised qualifications. The licence required for handling of controlled refrigerant gases – CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs – is also nationally managed through the ARCTick scheme.

Moving across the NSW and South Australian border was not quite as difficult, Riese says. Return home passes were required for staff from South Australia who travelled up to Cobar via Broken Hill, for example. Cold Logic’s clients in the food and logistics sectors were the main ones affected by border boondoggles. At one point, Cold Logic workers returning from interstate were required to undertake a COVID-19 test on entry into the state then go directly home for 24 hours. If the test was negative, they could go back to work, but a follow-up test was still required. The real challenge was servicing clients in regional Victoria during the period Greater Melbourne was subject to the “ring of steel” and the border between SA and Victoria firmly closed. Neither staff from Melbourne nor staff from Naracoorte in SA were able to travel to undertake maintenance works for the regional Victorian clients. If there had been a need for breakdown assistance, Cold Logic may have been unable to attend in person. Fortunately, that didn’t happen. Riese says that the company’s policy during the pandemic has emphasised that if workers feel unwell, they should go home and get tested. It has also ensured appropriate PPE including masks was available and used where required by the various states’ public health orders.

Where there is a significant gap in requirements, Riese says, is around handling natural refrigerants such as CO2, ammonia and hydrocarbons. At this stage, there is no national standard, and no consistent set of requirements for what licenses or other credentials a tradie working with the natural refrigerants needs. This means a company like Cold Logic, which primarily uses these types of refrigerants in projects, needs to establish its own set of requirements and protocols. There are also no benchmarks for the energy performance of refrigeration equipment, although it has been proposed. The National Construction Code provisions that give guidance for HVAC systems do not give any specifications, requirements or standards for refrigeration equipment in the code. “Currently, it is being looked at on a case-by-case basis,” Riese says. Workplace health and safety requirements are another vexing issue. “It is all over the place,” Riese says. “Each state varies in terms of what is the most stringent aspect of their WHS regulations.” Cold Logic’s solution has been to develop a best-ofbreed set of WHS policies that includes every one of the most stringent requirements from each jurisdiction, and then use that across every work site nation-wide.

A STATE OF COMPLEXITY A.G. Coombs Group operates throughout Australia’s states and territories. That means the company’s design, installation and maintenance teams must be across the specific variations of code and regulation requirements for each jurisdiction. “There is national variance in the application of standards and in their effectiveness in achieving the intended outcomes,” says A.G. Coombs Strategic Development Director Bryon Price, F.AIRAH. “There are a very large number of regulations that influence the design, construction, operation and maintenance of buildings and building services and similarly, significant amount of regulation that governs the operation of organisations that provide these services.” Those regulations include licensing and certification requirements for both companies and individuals. His company has local operations for onsite work. This reduces the complexities in terms of operating in multiple jurisdictions; however, at a national corporate level the management and oversight of the multifaceted and varied national licensing “landscape” is complicated. Complexities also exist within states and territories for those contractors. For example, a tradesperson, particularly somebody with more than one trade qualification, may have multiple and different

AUTOMATIC MUTUAL RECOGNITION: STATE OF PLAY As AIRAH has noted in its submission to the Automatic Mutual Recognition Amendment Bill consultation, when it comes to credentials and licenses, clear equivalences do not always exist across borders. “At the state and territory level, licensing for HVAC&R technicians varies across the country and despite relating to a trade of its own, it is often classified as a subclass of electrical or plumbing work,” AIRAH stated. “This may lead to some confusion when trying to map licences from one state or territory to another, particularly if the process is led by groups who do not have a detailed knowledge of the HVAC&R industry.” States also vary in terms of which licenses are required – NSW requires all work to be done by Certificate III-qualified RAC technicians. In other states, a restricted license is available that allows some work to be done with Certificate II qualifications. Certain states also require additional licences for some types of work. Queensland requires a special licence for working with hydrocarbon refrigerants, which is not required in other states. Victoria requires HVAC&R technicians to have a restricted electrical licence to perform some electrical work. ■

Different parts of Australia have different rules for when a site gets “heated off”. 12

HVAC&R Nation

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June 2021

Feature licenses they have to keep current. This adds cost and adds administrative burden for companies with trade workforces.

Fridgies in Gold Coast–Tweed faced extra complications working across the border in 2020.

The Shergold-Weir Building Confidence Report published in 2018 looked at how to address the “significant and concerning” issues in Australia’s building and construction industry. It identified the need for additional certification of key building practitioners and harmonisation of requirements across jurisdictions as a top priority. Queensland has a longstanding professional registration schemes for engineers, and schemes are set to begin on July 1, 2021, in New South Wales and Victoria. Western Australia is also preparing to launch a scheme. Safety requirements are another area that can be “complex” in terms of variations between states and territories. Sydney. Access to sites was restricted or limited, and sites were closed for a period of time.

COMPLIANCE: A MOVING TARGET

it is important for HVAC&R firms to “pay attention and get involved” in the change process and industry consultation opportunities.

Price says building compliance regimes are different in each jurisdiction. Organisations that work across multiple states and territories must stay on top of this, particularly if they cover various trades and different practitioner types, for example, tradespeople, technicians, design or advisory engineers, and certifiers.

As an organisation that works throughout Australia using virtual engineering and modelling teams, A.G. Coombs had well-established digital platforms and virtual collaboration tools before the pandemic sent people home from the office. This also meant cross-border restrictions had a limited impact on multi‑locational design collaboration.

Effective and timely communication to industry is very important to support industry’s ability to plan and prepare for the changes, Price says. In all this

There were certainly restrictions around construction sites during lockdown periods in Melbourne and

There were also limitations on the personnel typically required to visit multiple sites. This affected services like commissioning, project and advisory engineering and certification. “Our ability to prefabricate significant system elements in our offsite factories was a significant advantage during this period,” Price says. “While it has been challenging, in general construction has continued during the COVID-19 period and that has been a very good thing for our industry.” ■

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Field Focus

STEPS FOR PRE‑WINTER CHECKS Preventative maintenance is key when it comes to achieving efficiency, minimising system disruption and preserving cost savings. Automatic Heating shares tips on how you can protect a hot water system and prepare for the changing climate. 1. Review the most recent service reports for any issues that may affect reliability over the winter months. Specifically, look out for the following:

down, causing the high-pressure and the pressure‑relief valves to discharge?

• Condition of UV cells, flame rods and spark electrodes. This will ensure reliability on start‑up. • Worn gaskets and seals. Order replacements so the appliance is not offline for an extended period. • Constantly adding system inhibitor on every visit. Has the system got a leak? Has the expansion tank failed or got the incorrect pre‑charge? Has the system bypass failed, or could the system pumps not be modulating

• Schedule the annual service. This will ensure the appliance is clean and operating to manufacturer’s recommendations and standards. 2. Check the system pressure. Be sure to do this when the system is cold; pumps should not be in operation. Stopping the system pumps is necessary because when pumps are in operation, low system pressure can be hidden. This can hamper issue identification until it is too late, and the damage is already done.

3. Look for water on the plant room floor. Is water discharging from the pressure‑relief valves? The most common cause for the pressurerelief to discharge is expansion tank size, or if the tank has lost its pre-charge. This can also signal that an interlock or safety start could have failed on the appliance, causing the PRV to lift. 4. Check the pump strainers and filters are clean. Dirt and sediment impede system performance. If filters are constantly blocking, confirm the correct system chemical is administered. Not all chemicals are suitable for every system. 5. Listen to your system. Walk the plant room or plant deck and listen for unusual noises. Noise may indicate air in the system or equipment failure. 6. Clean the plant room to ensure dust and debris are clear of the air intakes. A build‑up of dust can interfere with the operation of the filters and fan motors. A clean plant room provides a safe working environment for all. Compliance with OH&S and providing safe access to site is imperative for technician safety. 7. Keep equipment manuals, system codes and reset procedures together and accessible. Clues to understanding troubling issues enable the service technician to bring the required parts to site. This minimises system downtime and enables service and maintenance to proceed efficiently. For appliance records, it is beneficial to keep a fault logbook nearby. This is a very useful reference for facility managers and service technicians. 8. Engage qualified technicians to service the appliance. Asking technicians for their licenses and insurance ensures you are receiving service and advice from competent, qualified professionals. It is essential that commercial hot water heating systems are serviced by certified Type B accredited technicians who have trained to install, commission, service and maintain Type B appliances. Working with Type A and Type B Engineers and accredited service providers safeguards your hot water system, and the health and safety of the community and technicians. Building owners are liable if incorrect work is carried out by unqualified technicians on a complex appliance. Insurance can be void if this causes damage to property or loss of life. ■

Would you like to know more? These tips were provided by Automatic Heating. Get ahead of the game with your maintenance regime. 14

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Skills summary ■ What?

A guide to different air measurement techniques used when undertaking air balancing of HVAC systems.

■ Who?

Relevant for those involved in the process of testing, adjusting and balancing air systems within the HVAC&R industry.

In-duct air measurement Airflow in ductwork is most accurately measured by pitot tube and electronic manometer. Hot-wire anemometers can also be applied to produce accurate results when calibrated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Because airflow in ducts is typically non-uniform, a range of readings are taken and then averaged. An accurate measurement of airflow in a duct section is possible by traversing the section using a pitot tube only where there is a portion of ductwork system that has a straight parallel section for at least seven duct diameters before the pitot traverse location and three duct diameters after the pitot location upstream of any bend, fitting, obstruction or abrupt change of section. The total pressure and static pressure connections are made to the opposite ends of the manometer, which will then indicate velocity pressure. The device (pitot tube, velocity probe, aerofoil pitot tube, hot-wire anemometer, etc.) is inserted into the airstream via test holes drilled into the duct wall, and multiple point readings are taken in a pitot “traverse’’ and the results averaged. At each test point of the traverse pattern, the velocity pressure is read after allowing sufficient time for the manometer fluid or digital reading to stabilise. The velocity pressure at each point is used to calculate the air velocity at that point. The mean air velocity across the entire duct section is obtained by averaging the individual air velocities calculated at each traverse point. The flow rate through the duct is derived by multiplying the mean measured velocity by the cross-sectional area of the duct air pathway (i.e., minus any internal insulation). Remember, it is the internal dimensions of the duct, subtracting any area taken by internal insulation, that must be used when determining airflows.

AIR MEASUREMENT

TECHNIQUES The accurate measurement and adjustment of airflow rates using a recognised and reliable process during commissioning ensures that plant and equipment are adjusted and set correctly to meet the specified design operating conditions. Air distribution systems may be different from one another, but the fundamental principles remain the same. Fans move air through duct networks, either bringing in conditioned outdoor air or removing stale air and objectionable odour. In the case of supplying conditioned air to a room or comfort zone, the air temperature, volume, velocity, diffusion, induction ratio and the coanda effect all collectively interact to help provide a comfortable indoor environment. For air conditioning systems, testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB) activities ensure that the system operational variables are adjusted and set correctly to create the design comfort conditions, including volume, temperature, humidity, pressure, air movement and air quality set‑points or targets within the occupied space.

Pitot test holes

Locating the pitot tube

Designers and installers need to consider the location of test holes for pitot tube measurements to ensure accessibility. The insulation and cladding materials also need to be considered in terms of being able to install test • Insulation cut back holes. Figure 1 around test hole provides the • Test hole 10mm diameter or to suit pitot tube size recommended • Air tight rubber grommet dimensions. The or stopper to be fitted best option is for after use pitot test holes to be pre‑drilled and sealed so that they are reusable for the Figure 1 – Recommended life of the plant. test hole dimensions

Pitot tube traverses should only be carried out in areas of laminar or undisturbed airflow, well away from duct bends or fittings (take‑offs, reducers, cowls) and duct-mounted components (dampers, filters, boxes). To achieve laminar airflow, the pitot tube should be located as follows: 1. Distance of straight ducting before the pitot tube traverse location should be seven (7) duct diameters or greater 2. Distance of straight ducting after the pitot tube traverse location should be three (3) duct diameters or greater 3. The pitot tube tip must be facing at right‑angles into the airstream. For best measurement practices, BSRIA recommends the increased distances shown in Figure 2. For circular ducts, a single test hole is required for ducts less that 150mm diameter, and for larger d

D 1.5D

10D

1.5D

Coil or filter

10d

10D

1.5D

Supply

10D2

1.5D

Extract

D1 10D1

1.5D D2

Extract cowl

Opposed blade damper d

Legend Test hole Fan Duct cutaway

1.5D D

10d

D 10D

1.5D

D Butterfly damper

Coil or filter 1.5D

D1 1.5D1

1.5D2 D2

Axial or centrif. fan

D 3D

10D

Note: Duct diameters for rectangular ducts are defined as 2ab/(a+b), where a and b are the duct dimensions.

Figure 2 – Best practice pitot test hole distances June 2021

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0.816 D

0.061 D 0.235 D

0.883 D

0.437 D

0.979 D

0.563 D

0.074 D 0.288 D

0.655 D

For convenience, the constants in Table 2 can be multiplied by the duct diameter to determine the pitot traverse points.

Position relative to inner wall for stated no. of points or traverse line s 5

0.074 0.288 0. 5 0.712 0.926

0.061 0.235 0.437 0.563 0.765 0.939

0.053 0.203 0.366 0. 5 0.634 0.797 0.947

0.765 D 0.939 D

Figure 3 – Circular duct traverse locations – NEBB approach

ducts, two holes spaced 90-degrees apart are required. For rectangular ducts, the number of test holes depends on the duct dimensions.

and an average generated. To determine the pitot tube location, the duct is divided into concentric annular zones of equal area, with readings taken in two directions and at right-angles to each other.

Pitot on FRL protected ductwork

Two acceptable pitot traverse patterns for circular ducts are shown – the NEBB approach in Figure 3, and the BSRIA approach in Figure 4. Flat oval ducts are also covered in the BSRIA approach.

If it is necessary to pitot fire-protected or enclosed ducting to ascertain the actual airflow rate of the system, any holes created when performing the airflow measurement task will need to be reinstated to achieve the required fire rating (FRL) of the ductwork after the airflow readings have been taken and recorded. Refer to AS 1668.1 and AS 4254.2.

In the BSRIA approach, for circular ducts less than 200mm diameter, a single reading can be taken in the middle of the duct, with the measurement multiplied by 0.8 to obtain a reading. In the NEBB approach, the number of readings to be taken and averaged is based on the size of the duct in accordance with Table 1.

Pitot tube traverse patterns for circular duct The required number of readings for a pitot traverse of a circular duct can be determined by the following information.

Table 1 Number of readings for circular duct

The number of pitot tube readings or test points for circular duct changes depends on the size of the duct. Air moves through different sections of the duct at different velocities, so multiple readings are taken

Number of readings required

Less than 250mm

250–300mm

Greater than 300mm

Distance of pitot tube from duct wall as a percentage of duct diameter

Diameter range and application Up to 150mm diameter

Circular duct diameter

Test holes and measurement points

50%*

* Multiply this single point reading by 0.8 to obtain an average velocity

Over 150mm diameter

13%

32%

68%

87%

97%

Table 2 Constants to determine the pitot tube points for a circular duct

Readings taken in duct

0.5 D

0.117 D 0.184 D 0.345 D

0.926 D

60 ° ± 1°

0.712 D

HVAC&R Skills Workshop

Constants – multiply by duct diameter for distance of pitot tip from the duct centre point location towards duct wall. P1

—

0.241 0.3535 0.4564

0.1768 0.3062 0.3953 0.4677

0.1581 0.2738 0.3535 0.4183 0.4743

—

NEBB circular duct traverse locations Up to 6, 8 or 10 readings may be required, depending on the size of the duct, in accordance with Table 1. For 6 readings (using the constants from Table 2) = 0.241 / 0.3535 / 0.4566 x diameter = points from centre line of pitot (see Figure 4.8) e.g., 125mm = 57.0 - 44.2 - 25.5 - (62.5) + 25.2 + 44.2 + 57.0 For 8 readings = 0.1768 / 0.3062 / 0.3953 / 0.4677 x diameter e.g., 300mm = 68.49 - 53.02 - 36.15 - (150) + 36.15 + 53.02 + 68.49 For 10 readings = 0.1581 / 0.2738 / 0.3535 / 0.4183 / 0.4743 x diameter e.g., 500mm = 114.15 - 88.37 - 60.25 - (250) + 60.25 + 88.37+ 114.15 NOTE: No readings are taken at the geometric centre of the duct, and the readings will be taken closer together as they approach the duct wall (see Figure 5).

Pitot tube traverse patterns for rectangular/ square duct In the NEBB approach, rectangular ducts are divided into equal areas, with the maximum distance allowable between points being 150mm, with a minimum of 16 reading points for any size duct, up to a maximum of 64 reading points on large ducts. For example, for a duct size = 400mm (X) x 350mm (Y) Pitot tube setting via “X” profile = 400mm/8 = 50mm and (400/4 = 100mm) Therefore, take readings at: 50mm, 150mm, 250mm and 350mm

All sizes of flat oval duct

13%

32%

68%

87%

Pitot tube setting via “Y” profile = 350mm/8 = 43.75mm and (350/4 = 87.5mm)

97%

Therefore take readings at: 44mm, 131mm, 219mm and 306mm

Test performed similarly on the vertical axis

For ducts 300mm to 1200mm diameter when measuring immediately upstream or downstream of a fan

12%

18%

34%

66%

82%

88%

5 4 3

Note: Where flows measurements are unstable, additional measurement points should be included either on the same traverse or on additional traverses.

Figure 4 – Circular duct traverse locations – BSRIA approach 16

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Figure 5 – Circular duct traverse locations – for 10 readings

3 4 5

HVAC&R Skills Workshop Readings are taken at each intersection point shown in Figure 6. X X 4

Distance of pitot tube from duct wall as a percentage of duct diameter

Diameter range and application

Up to 200mm

25%

75%

200–500mm or when measuring immediately upstream or downstream of a fan where the duct area is <0.1m2

17%

50%

83%

500–900mm or when measuring immediately upstream or downstream of a fan where the duct area is >0.1 and <0.4m2

13%

38%

63%

88%

10%

30%

50%

70%

90%

Main duct readings

Over 900mm or when measuring immediately upstream or downstream of a fan where the duct area is >0.4 and <2.5m2

Where it is not possible to find a suitable measuring point to determine total airflow on the main or branch ducts, velocity can sometimes be measured at the fan suction (if the flow is uniform, i.e., a fan suction box is fitted).

When measuring immediately upstream or downstream of a fan where the duct area is >2.5m2

25%

42%

58%

75%

Pitot tube nozzle location points

X 8

X 4

X 8

Y/8

Test holes and measurement points

Y/4 Y Y/4 Y/4 Y/8

Figure 6 – Rectangular duct traverse locations

An alternative is the BSRIA Log-T method approach to pitot traverse averaging, using the grid as outlined in Figure 7. In the BSRIA approach, the number of readings to be taken and averaged is based on size of duct in accordance with Figure 7.

92%

If the fan flow rate cannot be measured by either of these techniques, it can be calculated by summing the flow rates of all principal branch ducts.

Measurement of static pressure at the entry to a duct system If a lower order of accuracy is acceptable, a meaningful measurement of airflow within approximately ± 10% can be made by measuring the static pressure or suction just downstream of the entry to a duct system that is exhausting from a space, provided the area of the wall in which the duct entry is located is much larger than the duct entry. A considerable amount of reliable information is available for entry coefficients of many alternative types of entry, and using this data together with a static pressure or suction measurement, the flow can be calculated. Note: Comprehensive data on fitting losses is provided in AIRAH DA03.

For rectangular ducts, numbers of test holes and measurement points depend on the width and height of the duct. For example, for a duct 700mm wide by 400mm deep measure at 4 points across the width and 3 points across the depth.

Figure 7 Rectangular duct traverse locations – BSRIA approach

other obstructions are fitted, which is the normal situation, reliable readings are very difficult to obtain.

Measurement by anemometer It is possible to use an anemometer at a duct discharge, but significant experience is necessary to obtain meaningful results. Unless the air being discharged is of substantially uniform velocity and flowing parallel to the duct axis (e.g., laminar), the anemometer readings will require extensive corrections and interpretation. As a result, this method is not very accurate, and multiple readings need to be taken and the average recorded to improve accuracy. Table 3 provides recommended averaging grids for anemometer velocity measurements at grilles.

Measurement at duct discharge

It is also essential than the anemometer is recalibrated regularly, as they can lose accuracy quite easily.

Measurement by pitot tube

Measurement at grilles and diffusers

Measuring by means of a pitot tube at the air discharge point is relatively easy if the flow is uniform and straight, but if any outlet louvres or

This month’s skills workshop has been taken from the recently released DA04 Air System Balancing – in HVAC. For more information go to www.airah.org.au/ da_manuals Next issue: Inverter testing and diagnostics

Each grille and diffuser type has a different amount of free or open area that the air must travel through. This free area differs from the nominal face area by a constant factor. This factor is known as the area constant, or Ak factor.

To accurately determine the air volume from a grille using air velocity measurements, the grille Ak factor must also be known or determined. Electronic measuring devices, typically rotating‑vane, hot-wire or hot-film anemometers, while accurate, convenient and portable, are highly dependent on measurement location, sensor tip geometry and temperature sensitivity, and there is no industry standard measurement arrangement. These devices provide a velocity that must be combined with the grille free area and the Ak factor to produce the actual measured airflow. The flow through the grille or diffuser is calculated as follows: L/s = average velocity × grille-free area × Ak The grille-free area is the measured actual free area of the grille. It is calculated by measuring the area inside the margin of the grille face and then subtracting the area of all the bars and blades, leaving only the open or free area. Grille-free area multiplied by Ak gives the effective area. The Ak factor accounts for the variations in airflow and pressure generated by the grille outlet, which are often designed to promote diffusion. Ak factors depend both on the methodology and the device used to determine them. It is important that any proportional balancing using Ak factors is tied back to a pitot traverse to reflect this. ■

Table 3 Averaging grids – anemometer measurements at grilles

Depth of grille (mm)

Width of grille (mm) and number of readings up to 150 Down

Up to 150

Across

1 (centre)

150–300

300–460

Over 460

Down

Across

Down

Across

Down

Across

—

150–300

—

300–460

—

Over 460

—

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Cover Feature

SMASHING

THE PERFORMANCE CEILING The organisers of the Global Cooling Prize set out to find the impossible: an affordable room air conditioner that could redefine performance and help save the world. As Willow Aliento reports, they succeeded.

As the world heats up due to climate change, experts predict the growing demand for residential air conditioning worldwide could generate around 0.5°C of temperature rise by 2050 just trying to keep people comfortable. The Global Cooling Prize aimed to change those numbers by fostering the development of advanced technology that can smash the ceiling of performance. The competition was launched in 2018 by the Rocky Mountain Institute, the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, and Mission Innovation. There were 139 entries that met the requirements around detailed technical design, out of which eight became finalists and moved onto the final stage of building prototypes. Six of those finalist teams succeeded in delivering working prototypes for final testing.

The prize set ultra-demanding performance parameters. Prototype designs had to demonstrate they could operate effectively in hot, humid environments, have five times less global warming impact than conventional units currently on the market, and be affordable. Some called it impossible – but the HVAC&R industry rose to the challenge and smashed it out of the ballpark. RMI Senior Fellow Iain Campbell.

FINDING THE NEEDLE Speaking at the awards ceremony on April 29, RMI Senior Fellow Iain Campbell compared the search for better technology to looking for a needle in a haystack. He said although the industry has progressed with the phase-down of HFC refrigerants with high global warming potential (GWP), this only addresses onefifth of an HVAC unit’s emissions footprint. The other four‑fifths are from operational energy use, and that is the missing piece the GCP sought to tackle. The humble air conditioner hasn’t changed a lot since it was invented 100 years ago. By holding the prize, Campbell says the organisers were creating a situation where “the needle may just come and find you”. And it certainly did.

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Cover Feature

MEET THE WINNERS

DAIKIN (INDIA) WITH NIKKEN SEKKEI (TOKYO) Gree's winning prototype incorporates PV cells.

“This enabled the finalist teams to ensure that installation had been undertaken as per their instructions,” says Campbell, “and allowed them to participate in any necessary troubleshooting.”

Two of the finalists demonstrated such exceptional performance, the judges announced them as joint winners of the million-dollar prize: Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai with partner Tsinghua University; and Daikin with partner Nikken Sekkei Ltd. Both exceeded the five times (5X) less impact benchmark and met all other criteria. Judges noted that when scaled, these kinds of technologies can prevent 132GT of CO2e emissions cumulatively between now and 2050 and mitigate over 0.5°C of global warming by the end of the century.

THE PRIZE AND THE PANDEMIC Due to COVID-19, the awards ceremony was held virtually, with people from around the world tuning in via zoom. RMI presenters from the US, China and India along with HVAC and energy experts, climate action leaders, business leaders and the teams themselves shared the digital podium.

COUNTING THE COST

Campbell says COVID-19 caused both supply chain and personal logistical issues. It was particularly challenging because onsite installation and testing of prototypes in India was a competition judging criteria. “In the early days of the pandemic, many of the finalist teams that depended on China began feeling the COVID-19 impact on the supply chain and procurement of parts and components,” says Campbell. “A few months later, most of the other teams were also affected due to shutdown orders limiting their access to workshops and labs.”

Another major impact was that none of the core members of the finalist teams could travel to India and oversee the installation and commissioning of their prototypes. To address this, a remote commissioning process was facilitated by hiring an experienced local installation and commissioning team, along with a videography agency to live-stream the prototype installation inspection and start-up. HVAC&R Nation

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In addition to the onsite operational tests, the units were subjected to extensive laboratory testing to verify their energy use and performance. The supply chain and price point also played a role in the judge’s decisions. Affordability was one of the primary criteria of the prize, Campbell says. “It required the technologies to cost no more than two times the installed cost of standard AC units sold on the market today. The affordability assessment was used together with the 5X lower climate impact criteria to determine winning technologies.” Campbell is confident manufacturing and supply chain capacity exists to see mass deployment. “The winning technologies are essentially advanced versions of the widely adopted vapour compression technology for which the supply chain is already established around the world,” he says. “The two winning teams are among the world’s largest air conditioner manufacturers globally. So, we do not see major challenges to scale up from the supply side.”

To give teams additional time to deliver their prototypes, the prize timeline was pushed back by four months.

“While COVID-19 presented some challenges and brought some additional parameters to our attention, it would have been unfair to change the criteria in the middle of competition,” he says. “By the time COVID-19 had hit, the finalist teams had already started working on their prototype development. “We do believe though that ventilation and filtration will become important aspects that will be incorporated in technologies more broadly, and that these will necessarily result in increased cooling loads further increasing the need for more energy-efficient solutions.”

Well before the awards ceremony, virtual collaboration had been used to manage pandemic travel restrictions, lockdowns and other barriers. For example, the Transaera Team from the US couldn’t access their labs due to the California lockdown, so team members used their garages to build prototypes.

HVAC&R has been in the spotlight during the pandemic, particularly the role of ventilation in managing the risks of airborne spread. Campbell said this was not, however, an added factor in judging.

This cooling system used a multi-split method to connect two indoor units with one outdoor unit. This helps optimise refrigerant flow rate for each of the two indoor units depending on ever-changing cooling load and uses refrigerant control technology to closely modulate the capacity. The use of low‑GWP (global warming potential) refrigerant HFO-1234ze(E) is proposed. The system also incorporates evaporative cooling, which improves the system’s efficiency by using the heat of vaporisation to lower the temperature of the air that the outdoor unit takes in. The system uses control technology that measures the outdoor temperature with sensors and applies the control system to automatically spray water when ambient temperatures are high, and cooling load is therefore also high.

The materials criteria for entries also considered the footprint of the proposed solution, looking to minimise the use of materials with excessively high embodied carbon or rare earth materials. |

June 2021

GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES, INC. OF ZHUHAI (CHINA) WITH PARTNER TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY (CHINA) The team’s “Zero Carbon Source” cooling technology integrates advanced vapour compression refrigeration, photovoltaic direct-driven technology, evaporative cooling, and ventilation, efficiently utilising renewable energy sources and free cooling sources. It has automatic, climate-smart operation with three unique modes – vapour compression refrigeration, evaporative cooling, and ventilation – that can operate individually or in parallel depending on the outside weather conditions to provide optimised indoor cooling and dehumidification. The vapour compression refrigeration system adopts a parallel compression cycle with dual evaporation temperature. It uses an ingenious compressor with a low-GWP (global warming potential) refrigerant in conjunction with an improved design of evaporator and evaporative condenser to control indoor temperature and relative humidity more effectively. The photovoltaic direct-driven technology further lowers the overall grid electricity consumption. ■

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Cover Feature RESIDENTIAL REMIT The Global Cooling Prize focused on the residential sector. As Campbell points out, residential demand for cooling is expected to jump by almost four times over the next three decades. “In the post COVID-19 world, this factor may be even higher,” he says. “And by meeting this rising demand in a climate-friendly manner that can effectively neutralise the environmental impact of this growth, we can enable access to cooling for billions of people around the world while avoiding the climate impact that would be consequent with today’s products.”

Unboxing the Gree prototype. Because of COVID-19, the units had to be commissioned by local technicians in India, with the teams providing instructions over video links.

With demand predicted to escalate so dramatically, the scalability of the solutions was an important criterion. They had to be capable of being deployed in an existing mid- to high-rise apartment building in a dense urban setting with minimal changes to the existing building structure or envelope.

THE REAL PRIZE In addition to supporting innovation, the Global Cooling Prize has raised awareness of both the challenge and the opportunity in a sector like cooling that is impacting our climate.

“We are thrilled to see that the winning technologies met this criteria,” says Campbell. “Moreover, they look very much like the mini-split ACs available on the market today.”

It also demonstrates what is possible from a technical perspective, and how high the ceiling of performance can be. This has broader applications around testing standards, performance standards and consumer education.

There are likely to broader benefits too. Other sectors and applications are expected to see an increased cooling demand as the planet heats and populations grow.

Campbell says there is now an opportunity to link product performance ladders to the best available technology and have this inform Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS). In this way they could align with the best rather than building from the worst with no reference to the ceiling of performance.

“Much of the innovation we saw from the winning technologies can be transferred to cooling solutions more broadly across sectors and other applications for the larger benefit,” says Campbell. Because the winning technologies are “quite like the ACs we know today”, the existing HVAC&R workforce should be comfortable adopting and maintaining the winning designs. “Also, due to COVID-19, the installation and commissioning was undertaken by a local third party with only remote guidance by the teams,” says Campbell. “So with some routine training, we believe this will not be a challenge with the winning technologies.”

The performance ladders and rating systems that we use need to catch up with what

Where capacity building may be required is in aspects such as advanced control systems and refrigerant handling – R152a and R1234ze (used in the Daikin protype) are new refrigerants for the residential AC product category. But, as Campbell points out, they are relatively safe in terms of flammability and toxicity. Having major manufacturers involved in the prize will help the new products get to market faster.

technology can actually do “Simply put, the performance ladders and rating systems that we use need to catch up with what technology can actually do,” he says. “Isn’t that the whole point of performance ladders, rating systems and MEPS, to inform and protect consumers? It’s like we are giving them a 20-year-old guidebook to selecting the right air conditioner today!” If policies take the higher performance perspective, consumers could gain the knowledge to purchase cooling equipment that saves them money over the unit’s life‑cycle, provides more comfortable indoor conditions, and also drastically reduces the climatic impact of its use.

COMING TO A HOME NEAR YOU The prize money of US$1 million aims to support commercialisation of the two winning technologies. And that could be as soon as 2025, according to Ms Dong Mingzhu, chairperson and president of Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai. “We are pleased that we were selected as a winner of the prize and we are committed to delivering the Race to Zero Breakthrough for Cooling: to bring 22

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to market affordable residential AC units using this new cooling technology (which has 5X lower climate impact than today’s units) by 2025.” Whether the winners eventually appear in their prizewinning forms, as enhanced versions, or as smaller innovations in existing units, we hope to see the impacts of the Global Cooling Prize around us soon. ■

HONOURABLE MENTIONS Other finalist teams explored entirely new approaches to cooling. The solution developed by Kraton Corporation in partnership with IIT Bombay, Porus Labs and Infosys, uses zero refrigerant. Instead, it prototyped a hybrid cooling solution using a membrane dehumidification system based on Nexar polymer. This removes moisture from the room air and ejects it outdoors. The unit uses water evaporative cooling, by which the moving air loses its heat as it evaporates water, then reduces the temperature. As Dr Gabrielle Dreyfus from the GCP Technical Review committee noted in her presentation during the ceremony, humidity is as pressing an issue in many regions as heat, with some places already reaching “the limits of human survivability” due to the impact of global warming. Start-up M2 Thermal Solutions from the US is also addressing both, with a combination of evaporative cooling and membrane technology that cools the air and then removes the moisture, or operates to supply ventilation. It uses no compressor or refrigerant, and the water collected through dehumidifying is used to supply the evaporative cooling function. Another humidity-focused team was Transaera, a start-up out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). It collaborated with Qingdao Haier Air Conditioner Gen Corp. Ltd. to develop a cooling solution using a new type of solid desiccant material. The UKs Barocol team, comprising researchers at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy in the UK, shifted away entirely from refrigerants, developing a solid-state cooling technology using a phase change material. ■

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Insurance Advice

STOP THIEF! Ever had your tools stolen? Maybe today’s tech could prevent that happening again. The team from Fitzpatrick & Co Insurance Brokers share five smart new strategies to protect your gear.

One of the most common insurance claims we are seeing are stolen tools from either job sites, back of utes, or even being mistakenly taken by another contractor. Not only is having your tools stolen a considerable inconvenience, there is a financial impact on both replacing the tools and also the difficulty for you to complete current jobs and pick up new ones.

Labelling or engraving your tools can help you recover them if they’re stolen. But you’ve got to take the time to do it properly and there is limited room on the tools to include all your details.

If your business relies on tools of your trade, we have five ways to protect your tools from being stolen, help you recover them, and potentially reduce your insurance premium. We also recommend keeping an up-to-date inventory of all your hand and power tools. It may well be a case of “you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone”.

1. SMART PADLOCKS If you don’t want to carry another key on your already full keyrings and you get sick of remembering your padlock code, there are several Bluetooth enabled padlock providers now, including MasterLock, Noke, Dog&Bone and AirBolt. You simply attach them like a traditional padlock and then use your mobile device to lock, unlock, and track your property. 24

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2. MICROSCOPIC LABELLING WITH DATADOTS

Another solution is microscopic labelling technology. You simply pick up an aerosol can and spray hundreds of tiny dots – called DataDots – onto your property. Each dot displays a unique code that is stored on the National Equipment Register database, and can verify ownership, assist in your insurance claims, and provide evidence to prove theft.

3. GPS TRACKING With GPS tracking, you can quickly and easily track down your tools if they’re stolen. There are plenty of technology providers with various solutions, but essentially they involve attaching a longrange, low-power GPS tracking chip onto each piece of equipment you wish to keep tabs on. June 2021

You then install the associated app on your smart device and start receiving real-time location updates. Take care with the type of tracker you’re purchasing. Bluetooth solutions are useful for locating things you’ve misplaced, like your keys, but less so for stolen items.

4. MOTION-SENSING CAMERA A motion-sensor camera will help you catch the crook red-handed. It’s also a deterrent if the thief sees this measure of security.

5. DIGITAL INVENTORY It can be difficult to know exactly what you have if you haven’t kept an inventory of all your tools and equipment. It will be an even greater challenge at claim time to provide your insurer a list of what has been stolen if you don’t have any records. This is where a high-tech, user-friendly inventory platform, such as Sortly Pro, can be invaluable. There are plenty of smart new ways to protect your tools from theft, but it’s just as important to exercise some common sense – don’t leave them unattended, lock them up at night and store them out of sight. And don’t overlook a good business insurance solution. Although it will set you back the cost of the premium each year, this would be a fraction of the cost of replacing your tools and can allow you to get on with the job more quickly if all your tools are stolen. ■ This article was provided by Fitzpatrick & Co Insurance Brokers. For more information go to www.fitzpatrick.com.au

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Around the Nation 1

Photo courtesy of Superior Training Centre.

1 A DRINK TO JAMES HARRISON

tradesperson and review the related units of competency in a holistic fashion.

A Geelong brewery has launched a new craft beer to celebrate the achievements of Australia’s refrigeration pioneer James Harrison. Harrison’s Rocky Point Dark Lager is a special release from the Southern Bay Brewery. According to general manager Michael Connell, the brew was suggested by the Geelong and Region Branch of the National Trust, which recently held a James Harrison exhibition as part of Geelong Design Week. The brewery is also located within sight of Point Henry, where Harrison lived out his final days, making it particularly appropriate.

Reliable Controls has announced a new initiative that it says will help customers minimise waste in the field: eCycle.

After making the trek from his native Scotland to the Australian colonies, Harrison charted a life of extraordinary achievement. Among his many accomplishments were the founding of The Geelong Advertiser – now Australia’s second‑longest continuously running newspaper – and the creation of ice via mechanical means.

The eCycle service allows authorised dealers to send non-repairable Reliable Controls and peripheral partner devices to be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.

The Harrison-inspired beer arrived on shelves just in time for celebrations of James Harrison’s birthday on April 17. ■

When electrical and electronic equipment, including building controllers, is disposed of properly, electronic materials are recovered and can be used in new products. But Reliable Controls says programs for proper collection and disposal of e-waste vary widely by region.

2 UPGRADE AHEAD FOR CERT III? Australian Industry Standards (AIS) has been seeking feedback on cases for change for various training packages and qualifications – including the Certificate III refrigeration and air conditioning qualification. Last year, the new Certificate III qualification for refrigeration and air conditioning, UEE32220, was finalised and will come online with registered training organisations by October 2022. Although the new course incorporates important updates, stakeholders flagged early on that it mostly consisted of transitioning to a new format, rather than the much‑needed overhaul of the qualification. The new project would determine the essential performance capabilities (EPCs) of an RAC |

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The proposal to update the RAC qualification is just one of many published by AIS in its cases for change, across a wide range of industries, though it is thought to have a good chance of going ahead. ■

3 RELIABLE RECYCLING

The label notes that the beer’s flavours “are inspired by the rich malty ales and smoky peated whisky of Scotland, where James was born”.

In addition, a new unit of competency and skill set would be developed to enable RAC technicians to competently assess and report on a building’s smoke control features of mechanical services systems. This work relates to essential services fire measures legislation.

“With the new eCycle service, it doesn’t matter where in the world customers are,” says the company. “We will arrange for its authorised dealers to ship non-repairable controllers to a responsible recycling partner for disposal.”

4 PARKS AND PRIZES FOR MHIAA Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioners Australia (MHIAA) has announced the launch of its Virtual Showroom Innovation Park. Users guide themselves around the virtual showroom, and can access information on the latest product offerings, from small residential through to large commercial solutions. “Through this tool, customers can not only explore our product range, but they will also be provided with up-to-date product images and key features and functions on each product,” says MHIAA Managing Director Yuji Ito. If you do visit the park, you’ll notice some new awards stamps on the company’s split systems. MHIAA has been named by Finder as the Best Rated Split System Air Conditioner Brand in the latest 2021 retail awards. The 2020/21 Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards recognises Australia’s best brands and are voted on by Australians. Within the split system category, consumers rated air conditioners in terms of quietness, performance, features and functions and value for money. MHI air conditioners achieved the highest rating in every single category, taking out the 2020/21 Retail Award. Go to virtualinnovationpark.com.au ■

5 COMMERCIAL AC DREAM TEAM

The products Reliable Controls manufactures follow the WEEE, RoHS 2, and R2 directives, which set collection, recycling, and recovery targets for electrical goods and restrict the use of certain hazardous substances.

Panasonic Australia and Pacific Ventilation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Systemair Group, have announced they will work together to market a large-scale commercial air conditioning and ventilation solution.

“With the introduction of eCycle, authorised dealers can assure their customers that the Reliable Controls long-term, better-by-design approach not only provides them with excellent ROI, but also mitigates the negative impact of waste management; our products are recycled responsibly and built to last,” says Reliable Controls. ■

Locally, the first stage of the collaboration will see Panasonic Australia and Pacific Ventilation work together to market Pacific Ventilation’s indoor DX air handling units and Panasonic’s variable refrigerant flow (FSV) outdoor units. Panasonic says this is in line with its strategic partnership with Systemair AB Group, which

June 2021

Around the Nation 6

Fujitsu General ANZ’s Managing Director Philip Perham

HydroChem Strategic Director Nick Duncan, M.AIRAH

RAC apprentice Katie Hammill-Lovett

seeks to leverage existing technology and expertise from both parties to create bespoke project solutions.

The solution is designed for applications such as shopping centres, large grocery stores and hospitals.

HVAC&R may be a traditionally male dominated industry, but there are stories of change – including the experience of refrigeration and air conditioning apprentice Katie Hammill-Lovett.

Tomoki Miyamoto, Affil.AIRAH, Country Head, Air Conditioning, Panasonic Australia, has pointed to the opportunities the deal will create. “This opens up a new line of business for Panasonic,” says Miyamoto, “and we are excited to be working together to satisfy customers’ growing requirements for ventilation solutions in the large commercial sector.” Pacific Ventilation Managing Director Peter Gibson, Affil.AIRAH, has also hailed the partnership. “This new offering reflects the engineering excellence of two companies dedicated to improving people’s lives through cleaner, safer air,” says Gibson. ■

6 SLEEPING ROUGH FOR A CAUSE Fujitsu General ANZ’s Managing Director Philip Perham will be participating in his fourth Vinnies CEO Sleepout on June 17, 2021. Spending the night with only a sleeping bag, pillow and some cardboard for comfort and protection, Perham will join hundreds of CEOs and business owners at White Bay Cruise Terminal, on Sydney Harbour, to help raise awareness of homelessness. “Unfortunately, homelessness can affect anyone at any time,” says Perham. “The Australian Bureau of Statistics has found that more than 116,000 Australians are experiencing homelessness at the moment. Of these, 60 per cent are under 35 years of age, 44 per cent are women and sadly, 13 per cent are children 12 years and under.” Perham says that participating in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout is an opportunity to raise awareness of the issue and support the St Vincent de Paul Society to achieve its goal of reducing homelessness and poverty. He has set a personal fundraising target of $50,000. ■

WOMEN TAKING THE LEAD AT WOOLIES

After six months in the role, Hammill-Lovett says her experience so far has been a positive one. “When I started I didn’t even know any other female tradies, so I had no idea what it was going to be like stepping into a traditionally male dominated industry,” Hammill-Lovett says. “The tradesmen I work with don’t care about gender at all, they just want me to get in there and have a go. They just want to pass on their knowledge and teach me the skills they’ve learned over the years.”

“We are committed to achieving gender equity,” says Fitzgerald. “It’s one of our key 2025 goals to ensure we truly are an inclusive workplace.” ■

8 HYDROCHEM MARCHES NORTH HydroChem has announced the acquisition of Cairns‑based water treatment company Maxwells H2O Services. The Queensland business specialises in commercial and industrial water treatment throughout FNQ and PNG. HydroChem has indicated that the acquisition is a strategic investment as the company continues to expand its regional footprint. The Maxwells

“HydroChem has had a reasonable foothold in FNQ for a number of years,” says HydroChem Strategic Director Nick Duncan, M.AIRAH. “We are a fiercely independent, Australian family‑owned business. We understand the value of long-standing relationships and place great emphasis on delivering exceptional service. It is safe to say when we entered into our initial discussion with Keith and Chris, what set HydroChem apart from other suitors was that water treatment is our business, not our sideline.”

Hammill-Lovett is one of 15 people in Australia to secure an apprenticeship with Woolworths Group in the past year, and is one of only four female apprentices to be selected from nearly 500 applicants.

Woolworths Group Apprenticeship Program Manager Caroline Fitzgerald says that, during the recruitment process, one of Woolworths Group’s main aims was to have a gender-balanced number of shortlisted candidates.

H2O Services deal follows the purchase of leading Tasmanian service provider DM Chemicals in 2018.

Maxwells co-owner Chris Harris has signalled his intention to stay on and assist HydroChem’s expansion in FNQ. HydroChem will also retain the Maxwells company name and livery in the region. Go to hydrochem.com.au ■

9 DIGITAL LICENCES FOR NSW The NSW government is adding trade licences to the digital wallet within the Service NSW app. The general construction induction “White Card” is the first category to go live, followed by a range of other categories including specialist trades such as air conditioning and refrigeration. These will be delivered progressively from mid-2021. “Currently tradies are required to carry anywhere up to 15 plastic licence cards with them on the job,” says Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson. “It’s an outdated system that is costing tradies time and money. “Under these changes tradies will finally be able to say goodbye to the plastic licences clogging up their wallets and have quick and easy access to all the work licences they need on their smart phones.” Customers will need a MyServiceNSW account and to download the Service NSW app to display their digital White Card. Got to www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/projectsand-initiatives/digital-trade-licence ■

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Smoko with . . .

Name: Dennis Kenworthy,

Affil.AIRAH

an TAFE (WA) Company: South Metropolit rigeration and Occupation: Lecturer in Ref Air Conditioning ut working What’s the best thing abo at heart. gie frid in HVAC&R? I am a challenging and h bot n bee Refrigeration has I find that while e. tim e sam rewarding at the way we work in this technology has changed the oots concepts and industry, many of the grass-r s has made it easier system designs have not. Thi h evolving systems wit to transpose when dealing ry is also a ust ind and add-ons. The aircon s. nge cha at fascinating field of gre

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Favourite smoko snack:

Sushi rolls.

the way to work What did you listen to on um. today? Van Halen’s 5150 alb keter Dennis Lillee. Sporting hero: Retired cric … Playing guitar, When I’m not working I’m b pages. cooking, or writing for my we

Green Wedge

NUTS ABOUT PACKAGING

Canny university students have found a way to turn peanut waste into containers for an energy ball company. What to do with the leftover peanut shells (also called hulls or husks) once the nuts themselves have been turned into the tastiest of spreads? Hmm. Well, it turns out there are quite a few options. They can be use as an alternative fuel source in biomass, as mulch or compost, homemade kitty litter, or as kindling. It’s also possible to convert them into material for packaging. Indeed, a student-led packaging design for an energy ball company using leftover peanut husks has won a global award for sustainable innovative packaging.

“We are very pleased to receive the silver award for sustainability,” says Palma. “To have our concept judged and recognised on the global stage makes all of our hard work and ambitions for packaging in the future worth it.”

Monash University student teams were entered into the global WorldStar Student Awards, in which they represented Australian innovations from a field of more than 300 submissions. One of the Monash submissions earned a silver medal in the Sustainable Packaging Design category. The successful team of Caterina Palma, Sherlyn Marvella and Tamanna Kibrea partnered with energy ball company Camel, and developed sustainable packaging from peanut shells – a by‑product from the food manufacturing process. The shells are usually burnt or sent to landfill.

The team used 30 per cent peanut husks in the production of fibreboard food packaging, which is 100 per cent compostable. Camel food balls are organic and vegan, with no added sugar or preservatives. The project took place as part of Monash’s New Frontiers Program, an industry-focused student-led initiative that pairs SMEs with student teams. ■

There’s a whole other world of HVAC&R to discover in Ecolibrium magazine.

Get a taste of AIRAH’s official journal at www.airah.org.au/ecolibrium To advertise in ECOLIBRIUM contact — Glenn Douglas 0411 839 667 or John McGrath 0419 556 108

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The Lighter Side This month’s Lighter Side brought to you by:

1 WINNER

3 LET’S TAKE THIS OUTSIDE Jake saw this add-on to a system while doing some AC maintenance. “I think it’s genius,” he says. Graham says: Fridgies can be innovative! Hard to tell whether this is a replacement or an addition due to insufficient condensing capacity.

1 PECKING ORDER Craig found this at a major supermarket in the Southern Highlands while doing an audit on the AC plant. “Proof that fridgies always think they are more important than the AC guy!” he says. The loader had been pinched from the HVAC compressor to keep the cabinets going. Graham says: What can I say? Balance between spoiled food and possible insurance claims against a bit of human discomfort!

2 BAILED OUT Frank in Queensland sent us this example of improvisation at its best: two 9L buckets making a duct joiner. Graham says: Improvisation is fine as long as it is only temporary. I once came across a job where the installer had run out of ducting and hadn’t tried to improvise, then wondered why there was insufficient air at the outlet.

4 FILE UNDER COMEDY Josh snapped this ingenious install at a Brisbane bookshop. Graham says: Sometimes the space for possible installation positions is very limited. Doesn’t look pretty but probably works.

5 FIRE AWAY As part of a minor renovation, Karol’s company removed an exhaust canopy and found this roof timber purlin running across the exhaust riser. “Is this not a fire hazard?” Karol asks rhetorically. “Lucky the building did not catch on fire.” Graham says: Not sure about fire regulations but the exhaust fan probably needed some support

Additional comments and observations provided by Graham Boyle, F.AIRAH, portfolio manager, heavy automotive and refrigeration at South Metropolitan TAFE. Please note that the comments are provided on the basis of the photos only and should be read with this in mind – not all issues or solutions are apparent from a 2D image.

HAVE YOU COME ACROSS SOMETHING SCARY, UGLY OR JUST PLAIN FUNNY? If your entry is deemed the monthly winner, a 700ml bottle of Jim Beam will be on its way to your door. Please include a postal address with your entry. Entrants must be 18 or over. Send your hi-res (>500KB) photos to Editor, Mark Vender at mark.vender@airah.org.au

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HVAC&R Nation June 2021

Articles inside

Global Update

Green Wedge

The Toolshed

Lighter Side

Around the Nation

Smoko with