Around the Nation

1 2 4

5

Image: Tony Phillips, courtesy of Queensland Training Awards

1 GUIDE TO GOOD HOMES

The federal government has published the sixth edition of Your Home, an independent guide to environmentally sustainable homes.

Your Home provides advice on designs, materials and appliances that can make homes more comfortable and sustainable when building, buying or renovating. Written by more than 50 experts in building design and construction, it contains the latest details on emerging energy efficiency technologies, sustainable design practices, and construction systems for the residential building sector. The information is relevant across all states and territories, and includes references to Australian Standards and the National Construction Code.

The latest edition includes new and updated content on technological advances in building and design including batteries, solar PV, roof and wall insulation, cladding systems, lighting and appliances. Other new information covers building in bushfireprone areas, how to achieve Passive House standards, building using hemp masonry, and the latest information on renewable materials and energy systems. There is also updated guidance on condensation and airtightness, energy efficiency in apartments and common-area upgrades, as well as building homes that are resilient to a changing climate.

Go to yourhome.gov.au ■

2 TOP HONOURS FOR RAC APPRENTICE

Refrigeration and air conditioning tradesperson Lauren Campbell has taken out the top state award for Apprentice of the Year at the 2021 Queensland Training Awards, which this year celebrated 60 years of excellence in training.

Campbell, from Manly West in Brisbane, was named as the winner of the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year at a virtual awards ceremony. She was congratulated by Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer. in Queensland and went on to become their first female apprentice,” says Farmer.

“As a fully qualified tradesperson with the company, Lauren is recognised as a future industry leader, who has already promoted careers in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to other young women.”

As the state’s top apprentice, Campbell is among the team of Queensland individuals and organisations that will now progress to the Australian Training Awards in November.

Campbell features in our “Smoko with” section this month, on page 28.

For more information about the Queensland Training Awards, go to www.qta.qld.gov.au ■

3 NEW PURCHASE FOR BEIJER REF

Global refrigeration wholesaler Beijer Ref has signed an agreement to acquire all the shares in the Australian distribution company Airstream.

Airstream is a manufacturer and distributor of air conditioning ducting and associated fittings. The company was established in 2011 and boasts personnel of 14 employees. The majority of Airstream’s sales are made locally in Perth. Airstream has been operating as part of the iZone business, forming a part of the company’s home solutions offering. Annual sales amount to about AUD$6 million.

Beijer Ref says the acquisition will strengthen its overall presence in Western Australia. Airstream will be integrated into Beijer Ref’s subsidiary, ACD Trade, and the acquisition will have a minor impact on the Beijer Ref Group’s result and position.

“Australia is an important market for Beijer Ref, and it is pleasing that we have found an opportunity to grow even further in this region,” says Beijer Ref CEO Christopher Norbye. “Airstream, which is a well-managed and fastgrowing company with a good profitability, will add value to our group. They offer several new products, such as patented zoning and connection systems.” Go to www.beijerref.com.au ■

4 PIRATES IN THE PLANT ROOM!

In November, AIRAH’s South Australian division, in conjunction with CIBSE, organised a site visit to Pirate Life Brewery in Port Adelaide. Pirate Life was founded by Jack Cameron, Jared “Red” Proudfoot and Michael “MC” Cameron in late 2014. Drawing on their international brewing experience, the duo turned a 1,000m2 plot in Hindmarsh, Adelaide, into a fully functioning brewery in just 12 weeks. The site visit was hosted by Pirate Life and Cold Logic, and included a detailed look at Pirate Life’s production facility. It included a tour of the site, as well as a run through a selection of beers.

The tours were conducted by Sam Graydon (brand ambassador), Matty O’Callaghan (brand ambassador), Lewis Maschmedt (head brewer), Jared Proudfoot (co-founder), and Michael Riese, M.AIRAH (Cold Logic, refrigeration system provider). ■

5 TECH-DRIVEN PLAN FOR NET ZERO

The federal government has released Australia’s Long-Term Emissions Reduction Plan, which it says will achieve net zero by 2050. A joint media release from Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor says that Australia will act in a “practical, responsible way” to deliver net zero emissions by 2050 while preserving jobs and generating new opportunities for industries and regional areas.

In line with previous policy statements, the government has centred the plan on investment in technology, with an emphasis on clean hydrogen, carbon capture, and energy storage. The media release also highlighted the potential of ultra-low-cost solar.

But despite residential and commercial buildings accounting for more than 50 per cent of electricity use in Australia and almost a quarter of our emissions, there is little focus on improving energy efficiency in these areas, which could be

7

9

achieved through already available technologies, including HVAC&R.

Minister Taylor has emphasised that the plan “will not shut down coal or gas production”.

“Our plan is built on a set of key principles; the most important being technology, not taxes,” says Taylor. “We won’t introduce a carbon tax that drives Australian jobs overseas and punishes the most vulnerable in our community through higher prices for electricity and other essentials.” ■

6 NEW ADVICE FROM SAFE WORK

Safe Work Australia has updated its guidance on improving ventilation in indoor workspaces to minimise the risks of COVID-19, including a special resource on HVAC systems.

For workplaces that use mechanical ventilation, Safe Work Australia recommends steps such increasing outdoor air intake and eliminating recirculation, increasing total airflow to occupied spaces, turning off demand-controlled ventilation, and running the fan continuously, even when heating or cooling is not required.

There is advice on improving filtration, using and maintaining window, restroom and kitchen exhaust fans, and using air purifiers or cleaners with HEPA filters.

There is information on the risks of restarting HVAC systems that have been shut down, including Legionella.

The advice is based on materials from the US and UK, the measures may not apply to some Australian settings. Nor does the advice refer directly to Australian Standard AS/NZS 1668 and its requirements – the reference point for appropriate ventilation in Australia.

HVAC&R practitioners may also need to highlight to clients the energy use impacts of many of the recommendations around operation or modification of HVAC systems, as this is not mentioned in the Safe Work Australia advice. Finally, there could be maintenance impacts too.

7 BUZZ GROWS ON ELECTRIC HOMES

My Efficient Electric Home (MEEH) is a rapidly growing Australian online community where members volunteer their time to help each other improve their homes – often in relation to heating and cooling. It recently passed the milestone of 35,000 members.

Group founder Tim Forcey describes MEEH as “possibly Australia’s largest continuously updated database of home improvement information”.

“It has been fun to watch the group grow to 35,000,” says Forcey, “with hundreds of new members joining every week. And when the weather gets bad (cold or hot) and people are reminded how uncomfortable their homes are, that is when we see many new members flood in!”

Thermal comfort is one of the main concerns discussed in the group, with people sharing information about draught-proofing, insulation, and window coverings.

“My number one message both at the group and in my home comfort and energy consulting business is to heat with your aircon – find your heat button!” says Forcey. “People are becoming more aware of heating living spaces and water with heat pumps, including reverse-cycle air conditioners.

Go to www.facebook.com/groups/ MyEfficientElectricHome ■

8 MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU

Task Force Z is looking for people to join its network of change-makers driving sustainable and zero energy homes at scale.

The networking initiative has spun off from work funded by the NSW government and the National Energy Productivity Plan (NEPP), which has been delivered as industry-facing projects through the South Australian Department of Energy and Mining since 2019. says the group. “By working together with the right knowledge, skills, motivation, products and services we can make creating light, airy, healthy, comfortable places to live (and work) that don’t cost the Earth the new normal.”

The network allows professionals to get involved in projects, make business connections with others who want to drive demand for more sustainable housing in Australia, and showcase products, services, and initiatives.

“This is not meant to be a passive network,” says Task Force Z. “It is about designing, building and selling sustainable homes at scale. So make sure you get involved, join a conversation, or share your knowledge.” Go to www.taskforcez.com.au ■

9 STAND TALL, PAUL!

AIRAH has named Paul Bannister, F.AIRAH, as the 2021 winner of the James Harrison Medal for notable achievements in the Australian HVAC&R industry.

Over his career, Bannister has focused on improving energy efficiency in buildings, especially energy related to HVAC.

Bannister was heavily involved in the development of the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating System, which grew to become NABERS. He was also the driving force behind the 2019 update of Section J (Energy Efficiency) of the National Construction Code.

“I am incredibly lucky that I have been able to make a career out of something I feel passionate about: making the world a better place,” says Bannister. “This passion has kept me going through thick and thin and continues to be the thing that keeps me coming back for more.”

The James Harrison Medal is the highest honour AIRAH can bestow upon an individual. Bannister will accept the medal at the AIRAH Awards 2021 ceremony, scheduled for February 17, 2022, in Sydney. Go to www.airah.org.au/awards ■