Finalists announced
2017 HVACR Leadership Awards
AUGUST 2017 Safety in HVACR Heating Systems
Climate Control News
Indoor Air Quality Industrial Refrigeration
www.climatecontrolnews.com.au
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Contents
Heating Systems
18
26
August 2017
Industrial refrigeration
06
Affordability squeeze
08
Potential energy savings from upgraded refrigeration plants can be as high as 46 per cent.
The air conditioning industry is not immune to Australia’s housing affordability crisis.
Cladding disaster
Nearly every state in Australia has taken steps to investigate non-compliant cladding.
12
Bosch buys MTA
14
HFC phasedown
16
Bosch is set to acquire Italian chiller manufacturer MTA.
Legislation has officially passed in parliament to phasedown HFCs.
This month
Finalists announced
2017 HVACR Leadership Awards
AUGUST 2017 Safety in HVACR
Leadership awards
22
IAQ Feature
26
A special four-page report listing all of the finalists for the 2017 HVACR Leadership Awards.
Australia rates highly in the latest research on global green building trends.
Building physics
Air movement, thermal performance and moisture control were covered at the Building Physics Forum.
30
Climate Control News
Indoor Air Quality Industrial Refrigeration
www.climatecontrolnews.com.au
VRV GHP VRV IV AIR COOLED VRV IV WATER COOLED VRV III Q
DAIKIN VRV
VRV IV-S HEAT PUMP
DAIKIN VRV IV SYSTEMS NOW FEATURE VARIABLE REFRIGERANT TEMPERATURE (VRT) TECHNOLOGY* VRT automatically adjusts refrigerant temperature to individual buildings and climate requirements, further improving annual energy efficiency and maintaining occupant comfort.
- Reduced energy consumption - Improved occupant comfort - Faster pull down time
Visit commercial.daikin.com.au or call us on 1300 368 300 *VRT is only applicable to VRV IV Heat Pump, VRV IV Cooling Only, VRV IV Heat Recovery and VRV IV Water Cooled
34
Energy crisis
38
LG Chem business manager, Jamie Allen, looks at solutions to the energy crisis.
Heating Systems
Designed to meet any application, delivering absolute comfort and state-of-the-art energy saving technology.
Sensor maintenance
Sensor maintenance tips for optimal energy savings in HVAC.
32
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Climate Control News
In the news
Technology to support smarter water use is part of a new era of smart buildings. With pumping systems accounting for 20 per cent of the world's electrical energy demand, water technology advances have a central role to play in this new smart and efficient global landscape.
Cover Daikin offers an extensive range of VRV systems, designed to meet any type of application. A select range of Daikin VRV IV systems now feature Variable Refrigerant Temperature (VRT) technology. VRT automatically adjusts refrigerant temperature to individual buildings and climate requirements, further improving annual energy efficiency and maintaining occupant comfort. (Note: VRT is only applicable to VRV IV Heat Pump, VRV IV Cooling Only, VRV IV Heat Recovery, VRV IV Water Cooled). CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS  AUGUST 2017
3
Editorial
Dawn of a new era
Climate Control News EDITOR Sandra Van Dijk Ph: (02) 9213 8277 sandravandijk@yaffa.com.au NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Michael Northcott Ph: 0420 403 044 michaelnorthcott@yaffa.com.au ADVERTISING PRODUCTION Michelle Carneiro Ph: (02) 9213 8219 michellecarneiro@yaffa.com.au SUBSCRIPTIONS GREATMAGAZINES.COM.AU CALL 1800 807 760 SUBSCRIPTIONS@YAFFA.COM.AU SUBSCRIPTION RATES 1 year $99.00 Overseas 1 year NZ A$110 ASIA A$125 ROW A$170 PUBLISHER Helen Davies
ITS THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA IN TRAINING AND UPSKILLING THE RAC WORKFORCE. Sandra Van Dijk – Editor
THE DEMISE OF the Cert II split installation course (in its current form) is a positive sign for the future of Vocational Education and Training (VET). And while there hasn’t been a formal Ministerial announcement, its clear that Cert II was the main target of the federal government's national review into “issues relating to unduly short training.” The recommendations proposed by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) as a result of the review are long overdue. There is a real sense of urgency surrounding these reforms. If Australia wants to successfully operate in today's low GWP environment, we need a well-trained and skilled workforce. Not surprisingly, ASQA described short training like the two week Cert II split installation course as “an unsustainable race to the bottom.” This grim assessment isn't exactly headline news to the Australian RAC industry. Dislike for these short courses, which rarely produce quality outcomes, is universal. What we can expect in the wake of these reforms and other training initiatives will be cov-
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ered at the upcoming CCN Live event 'Trade Talk 2017: The Way Forward.' It's time for industry to come together, take stock and to review the road ahead. And that is exactly what will happen at CCN Live on August 24, 2017. This new dawn wouldn't be complete without a few champions and they will also be a part of CCN's annual half day event when we announce the winners of the 2017 HVACR Leadership Awards. The quality of finalists this year is high. There are even more entries than previous years which is why there is a record number of finalists. Take a moment to meet these champions by turning to page 22. There wouldn't be an awards program without our sponsors so I want to extend a special thanks to ABB, Airefrig Australia, Daikin, Hitachi, Innotech and Toshiba. The big day is almost upon us. I look forward to seeing everyone at CCN Live and sharing a great day. If you still don't have tickets visit www.climatecontrolnews.com.au/live ✺
CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER Martin Phillpott MARKETING MANAGER Sabarinah Elijah MARKETING EXECUTIVE Jasmine Gale PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Matthew Gunn ART DIRECTOR Ana Heraud STUDIO MANAGER Lauren Esdaile DESIGNER Bree Edgar YAFFA CUSTOM CONTENT DIRECTOR Matt Porter Ph: (02) 9213 8209 mattporter@yaffa.com.au CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS is published by Yaffa Media Pty Ltd ABN 54 002 699 354, 17-21 Bellevue Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010. Ph: (02) 9281 2333 Fax: (02) 9281 2750 ALL MAIL TO: GPO Box 606, Sydney NSW 2001
ISSN 1446-6937. Member Circulations Audit Board.
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2014, 2016, 2017
News
High level of concern about safety in HVACR
Electrical hazards were identified as a major area of concern.
THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING (AIRAH) HAS PRODUCED A REPORT ON THE FINDINGS OF AN INDEPENDENT SURVEY CARRIED OUT TO DISCOVER AND REVIEW SAFETY ISSUES WITHIN THE HVACR INDUSTRY.
AIRAH CONDUCTED A five-week survey late last year with the intention of reaching out to technical service providers on the topic of safety across the industry. After collecting and carefully reviewing the responses, AIRAH has produced its Safety in the HVACR Industry report, which pinpoints the main safety issues highlighted by respondents. Importantly, the report also lists recommendations and a proposed “next steps” to help address increasing concerns regarding safety risks in the HVACR sector. The four main areas of concern are quality and training, access to plant, working fluids hazards, and electrical hazards. AIRAH CEO, Tony Gleeson, said the organisation receives a lot of comments and enquiries about safety. “As a response, we felt it was necessary to run a national survey in collaboration with a range of industry associations to obtain a coalface perspective on HVACR safety. Naturally, this project also provides additional evidence and insights for AIRAH to progress its strategic advocacy theme of compliance.” A wide range of industry professionals responded to the survey, including licensed re-
frigeration and air conditioning technicians, installation and commissioning contractors, service and maintenance contractors, TAFE trainers and students, manufacturers and suppliers, facilities managers, and compliance and WHS auditors. The results of the survey show there is a high level of concern about safety. AIRAH executive manager for government relations and technical services, Phil Wilkinson, said an industry-wide strategy is needed to create a firm direction to improve standards and outcomes. “We found the increased safety risks and higher ongoing costs associated with poor access to HVACR plant and equipment are ‘designed in’ to systems from day one,” he said. “There is a market failure at play in many scenarios. "For example, those who pay for the additional capital costs to provide safe access during the construction are different from those who will pay for the increased ongoing costs caused by inadequate access. Sadly, there is no market incentive for the builder to invest in access solutions that will save the owner or operator money in the longer term, and a cost transfer occurs.”
Cert II Review The Certificate II in Air Conditioning Split Installation course is set to be abolished following a national strategic review undertaken by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). The review of “issues relating to unduly short training” is highly critical of current Vocational Education and Training (VET) packages identifying Certificate II courses “as an area of particular concern”. The review found more than a quarter of VET training package qualifications are being advertised with course durations below the minimum period recommended by the Australian Qualifications Framework. A special two page feature on the ASQA report begins on page 32.
Technologies to improve plant efficiency POTENTIAL ENERGY SAVINGS from upgraded refrigeration plants can be as high as 46 per cent, according to the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH). To improve energy efficiency and operational costs for industrial refrigeration plants, the OEH has released a Guide to Industrial Refrigeration for anyone involved in the operation of industrial refrigeration and process cooling systems. It outlines 15 technologies to increase the energy efficiency of a plant, with estimated annual energy savings, capital costs and payback periods. This guide provides examples to help operators, engineers and managers of significantly sized refrigeration plants to: understand the refrigeration technologies available to improve energy efficiency; develop a strategy to minimise energy use; and undertake an industrial refrigeration upgrade. Highlights of the guide will be published in upcoming issues of CCN magazine. There are 15 technologies listed in the guide.
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Visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/business/industrial-refrigeration.
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Airconditioning Manufacturers respond to housing
affordability squeeze THE AIR CONDITIONING INDUSTRY IS NOT IMMUNE TO AUSTRALIA'S HOUSING AFFORDABILITY CRISIS.
I
T IS A problem that has reached all areas of Australian life from government policy to business investment decisions, right through to everyday life choices. The average house price in Sydney is above the magic million dollar mark which explains why the Australian home of 2016 is very different to what it was a decade ago. Housing has diversified considerably with a much bigger mix of smaller dwellings such as high rise apartments and townhouses. It’s all about medium density developments with even large homes out in the suburbs being built on much smaller blocks. Evidence of these changes have been reinforced by the latest census figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) which found the number of people living in each dwelling has increased. In fact the number of households with six or more people has increased by 20 per cent since 2011. Housing Industry Association’s principal economist Tim Reardon said there has been a significant increase in the share of the popula-
tion that is living in a rental property (10 per cent) with a corresponding decline in the number of people that own their own house outright or have a mortgage. At the same time, rental costs have increased by 24 per cent in Sydney and 17 per cent in Melbourne since the last Census was undertaken five years ago. “These figures show that the housing market in these cities continue to be under supplied and inaccessible to new entrants,” he said. Homeowners are also moving away from single dwellings and making the switch to apartment living. The number of people living in medium and high density housing has increased 32 per cent since 2011. Reardon said this is a consequence of the high cost of land. Obviously all of these trends are influencing air conditioning manufacturers as they adapt to the housing affordability squeeze and try to meet these changing needs. An early adapter and market leader, Daikin Australia, has been focusing on new design features to accommodate these trends. Daikin Australia’s national product manager, Raj Singh, said the design features of the VRV IV S range directly corresponds with these trends. “Due to the high cost of land, block sizes have been reducing whilst the actual size of the home remains large. This has resulted in a space of less than one metre width on the side of these homes to install the condenser,” he said. Daikin’s VRV IV
S, designed in a trunk style casing with a depth of 320mm enables it to be comfortably located in these tight spaces whilst delivering capacities from 9kW right up to 24kW. “Additionally, these systems can also connect up to 14 indoor units in a range of styles to suit the home design requirements.” For apartments and inner city living Daikin’s Compact Series bulkhead indoor units have a depth of 450mm and height of 200mm making them ideal for drop ceilings and wardrobes. “The compact size of the indoor units means they can be discreetly installed above a standard wardrobe whilst delivering air-conditioned comfort to the home owner,” he said. Singh said the housing affordability issue goes beyond the price of a house as there are a host of other factors that need to be taken into account including rising energy costs, home maintenance and noise pollution. “As a result of the smaller block sizes, homes are being built very close to each other, so noise is a major consideration. The VRV IV S can be set to operate in a night quiet mode that can reduce the condenser noise levels right down to 43dBA* and minimise the impact to your neighbours.” “Lastly, these systems are also designed to deliver superior energy performance and hence lower the operating costs for home owners.” *Applies to 11.2kW model, noise levels for other models may vary ✺ TOP: The design features of the VRV IV S range directly corresponds to the current housing trends. LEFT: Daikin Australia product manager, Raj Singh.
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News
WITH A NEW SPARE PARTS WAREHOUSE RECENTLY OPENED IN PERTH, FUJITSU GENERAL HAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED THE SPARE PART ORDERING AND DELIVERY PROCESS FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA FROM WEEKS TO DAYS.
Buildings contribute to almost a quarter of emissions in Australia.
ASBEC releases NCC issues paper A NEW PROJECT led by the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) and ClimateWorks Australia will develop a long-term industry-led vision for how the National Construction Code (NCC) can deliver energy and emissions savings alongside financial benefits for building owners and occupants. In an Issues Paper published last month, the project notes that buildings contribute more than half of the country’s electricity consumption and almost a quarter of emissions in Australia. ASBEC executive director, Suzanne Toumbourou, said that at a time when energy prices are skyrocketing and energy policies are under critical review, better buildings can ease the strain on wallets and take the pressure off ageing infrastructure. Australia’s building standards are governed by the NCC. The Code is updated every three years. The next changes will be implemented in 2019. The chair of ASBEC’s National Construction Code working group and global director of sustainability at Norman Disney & Young, Tony Arnel, said it is vital for Australia’s energy future that the changes to the NCC help to drive more affordable and more widespread energy efficient buildings. “By 2030, buildings built after the next Code changes could make up more than a quarter of all Australia’s building stock,” he said. “By 2050, this could increase to more than half of the total stock. There’s great potential to take the pressure off our power stations and power lines, save money and lower emissions – but we need the right standards in place.” ASBEC and ClimateWorks will publish an interim report on project findings in November 2017 and a final report on cost benefit analyses and a policy pathway in March 2018.
Spare parts portal ensures speedy next day delivery COMPLEMENTED BY A newly introduced e-commerce platform, Fujitsu Assist is improving the efficiency and accuracy of the ordering process and servicing of Fujitsu air conditioning systems nationally. The Fujitsu Assist online parts ordering portal can now be accessed by all authorised partners as well as external service technicians. The new portal allows all Fujitsu General customers to benefit from live, up-to-date product information and pricing, with a quick expedited parts delivery service. Since launching in June 2016 to key Fujitsu dealers, more than 85 per cent of users agree that it has met their needs and saves time when ordering. Moreover, 70 per cent find the portal easy to use and understand the information on the website. The system has a simple part number or model number search field that will display all the relevant part information. Users have the ability to see live data such as
stock availability and current pricing, with a shopping cart for all orders, along with the ability to order parts for warranty claims. Fujitsu Assist customers can create accurate quotes instantly, including estimated delivery times and pricing, which can be searched with the customer quickly. Once the quote has been approved it can be swiftly processed. Other features include: a personal account where orders can be viewed and re-ordered; a live chat feature with Fujitsu Assist; an address book to store multiple address details, access to consignment notes and delivery information, and the ability to save shopping carts. The e-commerce parts website has 1,200 registered users who can conveniently access the platform from the desktop or mobile. For more information, visit www.store.fujitsugeneral.com.au or contact Fujitsu General on 1300 364 484.
Online parts ordering portal, Fujitsu Assist, provides next day delivery.
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YOUR COMPLETE RANGE FOR HVACR COIL PROTECTION EXCLUSIVE TO AIREFRIG AUSTRALIA Long Term Corrosion Protection Improved Efficiency Reduce Maintenance & Repairs Improve Indoor Air Quality Reduce Energy Consumption The range includes the DTM (Direct to Metal) water based corrosion protection coating designed specifically for the harsh Australian climate. Easy application extends the life of your airconditioning system and the SUPER Hydrophobic finish provides long term protection. The DTM coating also contains silver ions to stop slime and mould growth improving indoor air quality. The full range is environmentally friendly and cost effective. To request full product information, please email sales@airefrig.com.au
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News
Call for speakers to present at ARBS 2018 AUSTRALIA'S AIR CONDITIONING, REFRIGERATION AND BUILDING SERVICES TRADE EXHIBITION, ARBS 2018, HAS MADE A CALL TO INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS (HVACR) TO SUBMIT ABSTRACTS FOR SEMINARS, PANELS, AND WORKSHOPS FOR NEXT YEAR'S EVENT IN SYDNEY. THE SEMINAR PROGRAM is an opportunity to share expertise, innovation and best practice across all sectors of the industry. Speaker submissions close at 5pm on Thursday, August 31, 2017. Seminars will run during the exhibition to be held at the Sydney International Conference Centre in Darling Harbour from May 8-10, 2018. The seminar program is a key component of the exhibition, providing leading-edge education and networking opportunities for HVAC&R and building services trade and professionals. The call for papers invites submissions in areas such as (but not limited to): • Developments, research and global trends in HVACR including the latest industry innovations; • Emerging trends in building design; low carbon retrofit, sustainable design, de-
signing for resilience; • Net Zero Buildings/Net Zero HVAC&R - net zero strategies, methodologies and tools, low energy HVAC approaches, methods for energy and carbon offsets; • Technological innovations in HVACR; IoT, data analytics, smart buildings, cloud services, automated fault detection; • Refrigeration – technology innovations, new refrigerants, alternatives and non-vapour compression technology, low emission refrigeration practices; • Regulatory and compliance requirements; NCC 2019, maintenance standards, Legionella, WHS; • Industry standards and rating tools; NABERS, Green Star, Living Buildings, WELL; • Project and facility management; Integrat-
ed design, BIM to FM, IEQ versus Energy versus productivity; • Energy efficiency, peak demand, energy security, renewables and low carbon building services; • Modular construction and prefabrication; Case studies demonstrating innovation and best practice in HVACR. The format can be a seminar, panel session or workshop, between 30 and 90 minutes in duration. Guidelines and submission forms are available for download at www.arbs.com.au, or can be emailed by sending a request to seminars@ arbs.com.au.
Swift response to non-compliant cladding disaster NEARLY EVERY STATE in Australia has taken steps to investigate non-compliant cladding in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire disaster in London. The Victorian government has established a taskforce jointly chaired by former Victorian premier Ted Baillieu, who trained and practised as an architect, and former deputy premier and planning minister John Thwaites. The taskforce will “bolster the state’s ability to
ABOVE L to R: The Victorian taskforce is jointly chaired by former Victorian premier, Ted Baillieu, and former planning minister, John Thwaites; Fire Protection Association of Australia CEO, Scott Williams.
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detect and address non-compliant cladding, and ensure residents, owners’ corporations and building managers are better informed about the issue,” the state government said in a statement. An audit of buildings in Victoria was ordered after a fire at the Lacrosse Building in Melbourne’s Docklands in 2014. More than 220 buildings in the state were assessed by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) in the original audit and subsequent investigations. While all were deemed safe to occupy, the non-compliance rate found by the original VBA audit was 51 per cent. At the time of the audit report’s release in 2016, the VBA described the non-compliance rate of the use of external cladding materials as “unacceptably high”. Fire Protection Association of Australia CEO, Scott Williams, said it is obvious from the VBA audit that there is a major problem with compliance and enforcement.
Elsewhere in Australia, the Queensland state government announced in June that it had established an audit taskforce that would conduct a “targeted audit” of buildings constructed in the state “between 1994 and 2004 using aluminium composite cladding”. The decision to form the taskforce was made after a “possible non-conforming cladding product” was found on the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. Meanwhile, the West Australian Building Commission and the South Australian government and NSW government are also undertaking audits. NSW is considering tougher regulations on the use of combustible cladding after it was revealed that up to 2,500 buildings in the state could be fitted with flammable cladding. The NSW Master Builders Association said the danger came from imported products that do not meet safety requirements. These dangerous materials are “flooding” the market. ✺
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World News
Bosch buys chiller firm MTA
The Johnson Controls Asia Pacific headquarters.
BOSCH THERMOTECHNOLOGY WILL ACQUIRE ITALIAN CHILLER MANUFACTURER MTA, FOLLOWING AN AGREEMENT SIGNED LAST MONTH. BOSCH SAID THE acquisition will take it beyond heating and hot water products, pushing the company towards its goal of being a supplier of a complete range of HVAC solutions. Established in 1982, MTA produces a range of industrial and commercial HVAC systems, with a focus on chillers and heat pumps with output ratings up to 1.7MW. Bosch Thermotechnology president, Uwe Glock, did not disclose the financial details of the agreement. “MTA’s highly efficient cooling systems allows us to expand our commercial and industrial technology portfolio and sales expertise in the air conditioning business
in Europe in particular," he said. “We are already very well positioned in the segment for heating boilers with high output ratings and combined heat and power units. Together with MTA, we will now take another important step towards becoming the first full-range supplier of heating and air-conditioning solutions.” MTA CEO and co-founder, Mario Mantegazza, said the future organisation will be well placed to provide the best solutions for every specific need. He said the organisation will also take advantage of the strong culture of innovation at both companies to create new products.
New APAC headquarters JOHNSON CONTROLS HAS unveiled its new “smart” Asia Pacific headquarters in Shanghai, China. The new headquarters will house more than 1,200 staff and is set to receive China’s Three Star Green and LEED Platinum building certifications. The company has been well established in China for decades, and has continued to grow throughout the Asia Pacific region through plant openings, key customer partnerships, joint ventures and strategic agreements. Johnson Controls serves customers in the Asia Pacific through an extensive branch network and broad manufacturing footprint, spanning over nearly 400 branches, 42 manufacturing plants, six distribution centres and five major technology centres. The company’s footprint in China includes 17 manufacturing plants, three research and development facilities, almost 100 branches, 9,000 employees and channel partners across 200 cities. Plus, a Building Efficiency business based in Wuxi, China .
EasyIO appoints VP
Changes to GEA executive board THE SUPERVISORY BOARD of the GEA Group has appointed Martine Snels to GEA’s executive board with effect from the beginning of October 2017. She will assume responsibility for GEA’s regions and country organisations. Following her appointment, GEA will be headed by an executive board consisting of five members. The company’s chair of the supervisory board, Dr Helmut Perlet, said Snels is a leader with many years of experience in the customer industries relevant to GEA’s business. Snels, a Belgian by nationality, is a graduate agricultural engineer and has successfully
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held a number of management positions in various multinational companies in the food and agri-sector. She brings more than 20 years of global business experience working in Belgium, Singapore and the Netherlands. In 2012, she joined Royal FrieslandCampina N.V. where she currently serves as chief operating officer Ingredients and is a member of the executive board. RIGHT: Martine Snels has been appointed to GEA's executive board.
SIMON MAHONEY HAS been appointed Asia Pacific vice president for building automation company, EasyIO. Mahoney has almost 30 year’s experience in the building automation industry having worked around the world, in the UK, Australia and for the last 12 years in Asia. Initially based in Singapore, Mahoney will lead the business development and marketing efforts in the Asia Pacific region, building the distribution channels and creating market awareness for the complete EasyIO product range. The building automation software market is currently growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.10 per cent, according to ReportsnReports.com ✺
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OPA 242
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Giving you complete control
In Focus
Parliament has passed HFC phasedown amendments LEGISLATION HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN PASSED BY FEDERAL PARLIAMENT TO PHASEDOWN HYDROFLUOROCARBONS (HFCS).
THE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS are part of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act. Environment Minister, Josh Frydenberg, said the phasedown which officially begins on January 1, 2018, is part of a target to achieve an 85 per cent reduction by 2036. He said Australia co-chaired the negotiations in Kigali last year that led to a global agreement of all 197 parties to the Montreal Protocol to phasedown these potent gases. It is estimated that the global phasedown will reduce emissions by up to 72 billion tonnes by 2050. “Australia has a proud record of leadership in the Montreal Protocol, widely considered the world's most successful environmental protection agreement and the only one with universal acceptance,” Frydenberg said. “The Coalition Government's early action on passing this legislation demonstrates our continued international leadership and will constitute a significant domestic emissions reduction of up to 80 million tonnes. “The Bill will achieve these environmental outcomes at the same time as significantly cutting red tape, including reducing the number of businesses required to hold a licence by one third, halving the reporting obligations and reducing the number of invoices sent by 94 per cent.”
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The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturers of Australia (AREMA) was the first industry group to welcome the passage of amendments. AREMA president, Mark Padwick, said the Bill provides industry with the certainty it needs to deliver innovative product with a much smaller environmental cost. “Manufacturers must contend with a range of issues when they select which refrigerant to use. They need to consider safety for the consumer, energy efficiency, cost, suitability and environmental impacts,” he said. “However, this level of certainty will allow industry to invest in new technologies that can deliver cooling even more efficiently and safely into the future.” Padwick said the HVACR industry has a long proud history of working closely with governments of all types to manage issues for the public good. “We have acted decisively and effectively to repair the ozone hole and now we are taking further dramatic steps to improve our climate – but doing so in a way that allows industry to
deliver the services the public needs and wants,” he said. Established in 1967, AREMA represents 29 leading companies which either manufacture or import refrigeration and air conditioning equipment for Australians. The refrigeration and air conditioning industry is regulated by two separate pieces of legislation: • Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act • Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act. ✺
LEFT TO RIGHT: Environment Minister, Josh Frydenberg; Patrick McInerney at last year's Kigali negotiations; AREMA president, Mark Padwick.
Building a phasedown framework Full details on how the phasedown will impact industry will be outlined at the CCN Live event Trade Talk 2017: The Way Forward - to be held on Thursday, August 24, 2017. The Federal Government's director of Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Policy, Patrick McInerney, will update attendees on work undertaken to-date on building a framework for the HFC phasedown. His presentation will also cover what's happened since Kigali including the standards workshop held in Bangkok last month. The CCN Live speaker program is powered by Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) and tickets are still available at www.climatecontrolnews.com.au/live.
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Heating Systems Feature
Heating systems
under the pump
TECHNOLOGY TO SUPPORT SMARTER WATER USE AND A GLOBAL DRIVE FOR GREATER EFFICIENCY TO SUPPORT RAPID URBANISATION HAS LED TO A NEW ERA OF SMART BUILDINGS.
NEXT GENERATION INSTRUMENTS AMS Instrumentation and Calibration (AMS) released its next-gen MT100 Series Multipoint Thermal Mass Flow Meters last month to optimise combustion or pre-heated air to large boilers. The product sets a new standard in performance accuracy, reliability, ease of use and value. It combines state-of-art electronics technology with application-proven precision flow sensors in a rugged package designed for the most demanding plant operating environments. They provide temperaturecompensated direct mass flow measurement of air and gases for precise, repeatable measurement with low maintenance requirements in large diameter pipes, stacks and rectangular duct installations. The MT100 meter’s sensors can be installed either across a mast
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or can be inserted at multiple points around the process line in a single plane. In large stack applications, this means that the instrument installation can be done at a single platform location to achieve a major cost savings over other technologies such as ultrasonic meters, which require installing transducers at precise offset angles. The instrument can measure air/ gas processes operating up to 454°C and measure flow rates over a wide range from 0,07 to 305 NMPS with 100:1 turndown and with excellent accuracy of ± 0.75% of reading, ± 0.5% of full scale. They are also dual-function and can provide temperature measurement capability from -45 to 454°C, with an accuracy of ± 1,1°C. MT100 series sets a new standard in accuracy.
WITH PUMPING SYSTEMS accounting for 20 per cent of the world’s electrical energy demand, water technology advances have a central role to play in this new era. The Smart Cities agenda is being shaped by the need to develop sustainable living spaces. According to the United Nations Population Fund, more than half of the world's population now live in cities. The smart buildings approach means that the focus has shifted from looking at the energy efficiency of single components or products, to optimising efficiency throughout an entire system with the correct combination of components. This results in reduced carbon emissions and lower life cycle costs. The global building sector is working to reduce energy consumption and operational costs as they relate to systems in a facility and, whether it is plumbing or HVAC systems, water technology companies are supporting this effort. Industry 4.0 refers to a new era in pumping whereby every component of a pumping system will have its own internet protocol (IP) address and will be able to communicate, through embedded intelligence, with every other component of the system. The deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and Industry 4.0 will increase operational efficiency by nearly 45 per cent, escalate the Return on Investment (ROI) for manufacturers and widen application scope, according to a 2015 report by Frost and Sullivan. While smart, connected water technologies have delivered significant improvements in efficiency and reliability, there is a clear market need for a new level of technology to optimise the management and performance of pumping systems. Regulation is also driving the commercial building service sector's push for smart technologies. Recent European Union (EU) regulations have led to significant advancements in heating systems and pumps and drives, in particular. This has led to the increased use of variable speed drives (VSD) in water-related applications as well as the introduction of new standards defining different classes of efficiency for individual
Heating Systems Feature
components such as the drive, motor and pump. The EU's forthcoming Extended Product Approach (EPA) represents a further step forward, further defining the efficiency of the whole system, meaning the collective efficiency of the drive, motor and pump.
SMART PUMPING Water consumption in a building is not uniform throughout and pumping systems should be able to adapt to the needs of the system in real time. The water industry is responding to the drive for efficiency with cutting-edge, high-efficiency smart water technology. These are technologies to optimise performance in water supply and HVAC applications for commercial buildings. For example, VSDs equipped with intelligent control systems featuring advanced communications capabilities such as BACnet and Modbus protocols offer seamless building management integration while intelligent variable frequency drives (VFD) match system demand, maximising pump efficiency and minimising wear and tear for longer life.
ABOVE: There have been significant advances in heating systems especially pumps and drives.
While pumping systems equipped with VSD technology is becoming commonplace, there are an increasing number of hotels that have adopted fully integrated systems which control tank water levels as well as flow, pressure and temperature. The current evolution of the commercial building services sector is continuing hand in hand with an evolution in water technology. The future is bright: new intelligent pumping
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solutions equipped with built-in ultra-premium efficiency IE5 permanent magnet motors are coming on stream which will allow customers to further maximise ROI. IE5 motors deliver the highest possible level of performance, and can be coupled with the majority of hydraulics, in a wide range of applications. Embedded electronic drives dramatically extend the working area of the pump to maximise flexibility and enhance system performance by up to 20 per cent, as the pump system adapts to user needs in real time, ensuring optimum performance. The drive also enables the size of the motor to be reduced, resulting in a more compact footprint suitable for small spaces. This latest smart pump technology is simple to install and suitable for new and retrofit installations. It is a new level of flexibility provided by the system's sensorless algorithm for closed loop systems. Pumps can also be linked via a multi-pump controller without the need for an external control panel, providing even greater flexibility and durability. Water technology companies have a proven track record in innovation with the vision for optimum efficiency set to be realised. âœş
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CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS  AUGUST 2017
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PRESENTS
Trade Talk The way forward
THE PREMIER HALF-DAY CONFERENCE EVENT FOR AUSTRALIA’S HVACR INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL.
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW
Equipping you with the skills, knowledge and insights you need to guarantee your business’ future success; and the inspiration needed to make it happen. Featuring the CCN HVACR Leadership Awards 2017. CCN L!VE Trade Talk: The Way Forward will focus on a wide range of real-world issues that will impact you and your business over the next few years. With the aim of equipping you with need-to-know insights and information to strengthen your trade, you’ll be briefed on the latest industry developments in the space of our half-day event.
TOPICS INCLUDE: • The future of training and the migration to Cert IV • Details of the new regulatory regime to be introduced from 2018 • An overview of the HFC phasedown and what it means for your business • An overview of new refrigerants to be introduced over the next decade • Amendments to the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act currently before Parliament
CCN L!VE sponsored by
MORNING, THURSDAY 24TH AUGUST 2017
SMC CONFERENCE & FUNCTION CENTRE 66 GOULBURN ST, SYDNEY
SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
GLENN EVANS CEO, Australian Refrigeration Council
KEVIN O’SHEA President, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association
MICHAEL BENNETT General Manager, Refrigerant Reclaim Australia
GREG PICKER Executive Director, Refrigerants Australia
NOEL MUNKMAN Training Manager, Australian Refrigeration Council
PATRICK MCINERNEY Ozone and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Policy Director, Department of the Environment
...plus more to be announced
Get your tickets now $220 per ticket (incl GST)
For tickets and more information visit:
www.climatecontrolnews.com.au/live
CCN HVACR Leadership Awards powered by
HVACR Leadership Awards
Fierce competition
leads to high number of 2017 finalists INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD There are four finalists in the Innovator of the Year Award category. Silenceair International managing director and designer, Chris Matthews, was selected for developing an acoustic ventilator, a device which sits on the outside wall of a building and lets fresh air in and blocks out noise. It uses no energy and can be used with air conditioning by providing 'makeup air' and complies with the NCC ventilation code for buildings. The second finalist in this category is Green HVAC Solution director and CEO, Vahid Vakiloroaya, a mechanical engineer who is currently a research fellow at Western Sydney University. He has written extensively on energy efficiency and has two international patents that have already been commercialised in Australia and overseas. The first is a product that reduces the electricity consumption of air conditioning by 40 per cent and the second innovation is a smart thermal controller which came to market earlier this year. Finalist Paul Hawkins is the founder of TopWise, the first service management software solutions that solves the day to day operation challenges of a HVACR, mechanical and white goods company. It covers refrigerant handling, record keeping and safety. The last finalist for Innovator of the Year is the regional manager of Smart Connected Services at Johnson Controls, Samit Sen, who is working on analytics which address rising energy costs in Australia. It is a concept that was developed by engineers locally and is now being supported by the US team for a global rollout. The product is known as Metasys Enterprise Management. The Innovator of the Year Award is sponsored by Toshiba.
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Participants at last year’s CCN Live breakfast event. This year CCN Live is a half day seminar.
FINALISTS FOR THE 2017 HVACR LEADERSHIP AWARDS WERE ANNOUNCED LAST MONTH WITH A NUMBER OF CATEGORIES EXPERIENCING A RECORD NUMBER OF ENTRIES. THE HIGH NUMBER of entries made judging difficult and led to a couple of categories having as many as six finalists. Despite efforts to keep finalists numbers to a minimum, the fierce competition made it impossible. As a result, the Rising Star category has a total of nine finalists. There are six finalists for Male Rising Star and three finalists for Female Rising Star. The fact that there are so many rising stars in the HVACR industry is proof that the future of the industry is in good hands. Another competitive category was Woman of the Year in HVACR, a category with a total of six finalists.
First time awards, including Contractor of the Year and Tradie of the Year, were also popular. The Leader in Energy Savings and Sustainability was once again a competitive category, showcasing inroads made by so many businesses into energy efficiency. When it comes to innovation, entries in this category were extremely varied. Every finalist has a different innovation to showcase but they are all making their mark in their own way. Of course the HVACR Leader of the Year Award is always a show-stopper with industry veterans competing for this highly sought-after title. âœş
HVACR Leadership Awards
Recognising the contribution of industry leaders THE HVACR LEADER of the Year Award is an opportunity to recognise industry veterans that have made a significant contribution to the industry. This year there are five finalists for Leader of the Year, including Teco Australia's service operations manager, Ken Ball. Since commencing his apprenticeship as a fitter and machinist with Unilever Australia at the tender age of 15, Ball has enjoyed a RAC career spanning half a century. He has worked at Kelvinator, Carrier, Haden engineering, Sigma Industries, Fujitsu General, Mitsubishi Electric and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries before joining Teco. Ball has also been an active member of industry associations such as AREMA and CESA and contributed to the development of industry standards. Another finalist is New Insights project manager, Manfred Jarchow, who has worked for Baltimore Aircoil, the Güntner Group, Danfoss Australia and Ingersoll-Rand. He is passionate about adiabatic cooling and public health issues such as Legionnaires' Disease. In fact, Jarchow sold the very first Powerpax/ adiabatic package in Australia. Another impressive finalist is Optergy managing director, Marc Abdelahad, a firm believer in achieving 'optimal sustainability' incorporating environmentally friendly technologies, sustainable processes and product improvements.
LEFT: Teco Australia service operations manager, Ken Ball.
Abdelahad is best known as the driving force leading the team towards Optergy Enterprise software development to help building managers better monitor and manage their building, mechanical and electrical systems. He has also worked on Proton, a smaller building solution that is affordable and key to the delivery of big energy savings. Next up is Airepair Air Conditioning Services managing director, Brad Wiseman, who is able to demonstrate his leadership everyday with his air conditioning business, training apprentices, and actively supporting the industry through his work with AMCA. Wiseman is a board member of the Victorian AMCA and chair of the AMCA OH&S Committee. He was actually awarded Apprentice of the Year way back in 1985. Last but certainly not least is finalist Gary Rogers, director of TriTech Commercial Refrigeration. Rogers is also well known to industry and has an extensive and impressive career in refrigeration. He began at York Refrigeration in New Zealand and also spent five years at Johnson Controls in Christchurch. In 2011, Rogers joined Cold Logic as supervisor for Victoria before becoming director at TriTech Refrigeration Mildura in 2014. ✺
SUSTAINABLE LEADERSHIP For the very first time energy savings and sustainability have been combined to create a single award. This category, sponsored by Innotech, allows industry to showcase energy efficiency and green leadership. This is an area where HVACR continues to excel which is why this category attracts such a broad range of nominations. Here are this year's three finalists. • Thomas Heine, the market manager of EC upgrades at ebm-papst A/NZ, is well known for leading a long list of exceptional projects involving energy saving fan upgrades. • Dunnair Australia general manager of sales and marketing, Nicholas Siountris, has been working with users to reduce their carbon footprint utilising inverter technology. He believes inverter water sourced heat pumps are really making a difference in the local market. • Toyesi Pty Ltd director and engineer, Peter Savtchenko, has designed a system called PCVER which captures energy from a pool space, returns dehumidified air to control the space temperature at the same time as putting waste heat back into the pool. ✺
Finalists for Contractor of the Year THERE ARE FOUR finalists for Contractor of the Year, which is a new category sponsored by Airefrig Australia. It may be in its first year but it is a highly competitive category with each of the finalists potential winners. The first finalist is Adam Wareing, the Queensland state manager of Workplace Access and Safety, a company with its own fully NATA-accredited laboratory for the testing of height safety equipment. Wareing provides equipment and services to keep HVAC technicians safe, an important job. He is passionate about providing solutions for customers. The second finalist is Alan Patterson, director of Specific Refrigeration and Mechanical Services. Patterson is an experienced con-
tractor providing a 1000kW low charge ammonia to glycol package for Tatura Milk and for Union Dairy Penola. The company created an ammonia ice bank system to provide chilled water utilising off peak electricity and ice storage to avoid the plant running at peak energy cost periods. The next finalist is Ryan Malsem, director of Cold Energy Automation, a company which specialises in the design, installation and commissioning of industrial automation and building management systems. Malsem's projects combine and integrate the latest technologies that control, monitor and manage air conditioning, refrigeration, lighting, process and energy metering systems. The last finalist for contractor of the year is
Brad Wiseman, managing director of Airepair Air Conditioning Services. This isn't Wiseman's first award. After completing his apprenticeship, he joined Haden Engineering and was awarded Apprentice of the Year in 1985. Of course, a lot has happened since then to make Wiseman a great technician and contractor. He is currently chair of the Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors' Association's OH&S committee. ✺
CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS AUGUST 2017
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HVACR Leadership Awards
Rising stars represent an abundance of new talent THE BIGGEST CATEGORY OF THIS YEAR’S AWARDS PROGRAM IS FOR MALE AND FEMALE RISING STARS.
Attendees at the 2016 event. (pictured).
THE HIGH NUMBER of entries made it a tough category to judge as every nominee is a future champion of the HVACR industry. Sponsored by ABB, the three female finalists all represent different sections of industry. For example, the first finalist, Jessica Teodoro, is a graduate engineer from the Grosvenor Engineering Group. She went straight from school to the company's HVAC design team with her peers describing her as a “gun” in the engineering team. The next finalist is Heatcraft branch leader, Shane Boyle, a refrigeration mechanic with a passionate resolve to succeed. Although there are still very few women in the trade, Boyle believes gender is irrelevant when it comes to being a skilled and reliable technician. The final rising star contender is an application engineer at Bueno Systems, Jessica Thomson. Although she only joined the company last year, Thomson is already a key player in developing root cause analytics for the Bueno product. Her employer, managing director, Leon Wurfel, is a former recipient of the CCN Rising Star Award. There is certainly a long list of finalists for the Male Rising Star Award including Northrop
Consulting Engineers sustainability consultant, Ian Van Eerden, who began his career with the Clean Energy Regulator to ensure compliance with the Renewable Energy Target (RET). His interests include sustainable development, internal comfort and occupant wellbeing. The second finalist, Automated Air general manager and engineer, Anton Holmes, is making a name for himself by taking the reins of a start up company in the HVACR controls market. Another finalist is Crest Air Conditioning mechanical engineer, Brian Lieu, who undertakes engineering design and calculations for projects in HVAC and building services. Lieu joined Crest Air last year after working at Allplastics Engineering. Next up is Temperzone's warranty and commissioning technician, Sean Hart, renowned for keeping up with the latest technologies within the HVAC industry. It means he has an outstanding ability when it comes to fault finding, diagnostics, and supporting not just mechanical issues but electricals, controls and complex HLI and BMS related problems. The fifth finalist is Airmaster state manager, Jason Harrison, who has risen through the ranks of the industry at a rapid pace. He completed his Cert III in 2010 and is currently in his final year of an engineering degree. In 2015 he was promoted to BMS and controls manager before becoming state manager for the NSW branch in August 2016. ✺
INNOTECH CHAMPIONS ENERGY SAVINGS AND SUSTAINABILITY It is important to keep energy savings and sustainability at the forefront of the industry and government agenda to ensure they remain a priority, according to Thomas McIlhatton, distributor manager at Innotech. He said this is because the decisions made today will impact Australia's environmental and economic future. “It is also why Innotech is supporting the energy savings and sustainability category of CCN's 2017 HVACR Leadership Awards,” McIlhatton said. Announcing Innotech's decision to sponsor the Leader in Energy Savings and Sustainability Award, McIlhatton said the company likes to "practice what we preach". "At Innotech we really identify with this category as our everyday projects and product development involves energy saving strategies and sustainable solutions. We selected this category to show support for a winner with a similar agenda as our own," McIlhatton said."Global exposure has shown us that Australians are innovative and we truly believe that many of the answers to the problems we face globally may be resolved by our own researchers and innovators if given support and the right platform. We have many more plans for the future to further increase our energy savings, while decreasing our environmental impact."
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LEFT: The A privately owned Australian winner of manufacturer of Building and last year's Energy Management Systems energy savings (BEMS), Innotech products and award, solutions are used globally with Stefan the company involved with Jensen. many OEM and end-user projects, often implementing bespoke programming for custom energy solutions. "Our manufacturing facility is also equipped with various sustainable solutions like solar shading, variable frequency fans, energy monitoring, variable lighting control and water harvesting," he said. McIlhatton said award programs provide a platform that encourages innovation and allows innovators to have their ideas realised and acknowledged by peers. "The awards structure provides a format to showcase research or products to industry, as well as recognising our best and brightest,” he said. ✺
HVACR Leadership Awards
Women from all sections of industry represented in 2017
EACH YEAR THE Woman of the Year in HVACR category showcases an abundance of talent from all sections of the industry. Once again the women came out in force to compete for this award, which is once again sponsored by Daikin. Despite the record number of entries, judges were able to keep the number of finalists down to a total of six. Finalists include Aurecon ESD engineer, Jessica Bennett, a specialist in the integration of sustainability and occupant wellbeing in the built environment.
“DESPITE THE RECORD NUMBER OF ENTRIES JUDGES KEPT IT DOWN TO SIX FINALISTS.”
Bennett has worked on a number of notable projects including the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music which has a 6 Star rating and One Malop Street, Geelong. She wants to be part of a built environment that creates healthier spaces for occupants. The second finalist is Airmaster management systems coordinator, Irene Winter, who has been working in the HVACR industry for a total of 19 years. She began her career at a HVAC controls company before working for Siemens Building Technologies and joining Airmaster. The focus of her current role is on quality, environmental management, certification and safety. The next finalist is Precision Mechanical Services service manager, Pam Rogers, a HVAC technician with a Cert IV in OH&S. Prior to joining Precision Mechanical Servic-
LEFT TO RIGHT: Aurecon ESD engineer, Jessica Bennett; Airmaster management systems coordinator, Irene Winter; Grosvenor Engineering Group’s Caroline Grimmeisen.
es in 2013, she was employed by Airepair Air Conditioning. Another 2017 finalist is the estimator and sales engineer at Leading Edge Automation (Oberix Group), Lilly Wood. Leading Edge Automation is a leader in building control and management systems. Wood joined the company in 2009 and the focus of her work is on using innovative technologies to create intelligent automated buildings that are more cost effective, operationally efficient and manageable for building owners. Next up is the manager of the tender and estimation team at Grosvenor Engineering Group, Caroline Grimmeisen. As well as working in Australia, Grimmeisen spent four years in the Middle East working for Dalkia. An engineer with a masters in mathematics, Grimmeisen joined Grosvenor in 2012. Airmaster commercial manager (national JLL and ANZ), Kelli McDonald, has spent 17 years in the HVACR industry. She began in an entry level service position at Airmaster back in the year 2000 and quickly moved into various roles building up a real understanding of the business. Her progression through the company into a management role demonstrates a high level of commitment especially as a mother, returning to work two months after giving birth to her daughter. ✺
PROFESSIONAL LINE-UP OF TECHNICIANS There is an impressive line-up of finalists for the very first Tradie of the Year Award. This new award has been made possible with sponsorship from Hitachi. Finalists include D-STAL Electrical refrigeration mechanic, Tom Bryant. Based in Adelaide, D-STAL Electrical has managed to carve a niche within the mechanical services field by focusing on quality work and customer support. This is why the company is home to so many great technicians and mechanics like Bryant. The second finalist is Jindabyne Refrigeration owner operator, Andrew Solomon, who represents a company that does everything from domestic air conditioning installation to cool/freezer room construction and servicing. A great tradie is going to be part of a great company which is why the Grosvenor Engineering Group has such an impressive finalist, mechanical technician, Jason Glendenning, who has more than two decades of experience. Glendenning describes himself as a true techie because “fixing things” has always been his passion. Last but certainly not least is finalist, Ben McCullough, the leading tech at Coolectrics Pty Ltd. When it comes to air conditioning, electrical power, utilities, cool room service and refrigeration, this is a company that describes its staff as 'the professionals'. McCullough is proud to be part of an organisation that is the “best in the business”. ✺
ABOVE: Grosvenor Engineering Group mechanical technician, Jason Glendenning.
CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS AUGUST 2017
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Total IAQ protection AIREFRIG AUSTRALIA IS THE EXCLUSIVE AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR FOR THE COIL DEFENDER RANGE OF COIL TREATMENT AND CLEANING PRODUCTS.
PROVIDING A COMPLETE solution for protection of your refrigeration and air conditioning systems, the range is water based, ozone safe and uses green non-destructive cleaners. From coil treatments to antimicrobial pan tablets, use of the Coil Defender range will provide long term benefits in improving indoor air quality (IAQ) in homes and businesses alike. The direct-to-metal coating is the first water based corrosion protection coating designed for the harsh Australian climate. It is simple and cost effective to apply and extends the life and efficiency of your air conditioning system.
”WITH THE ADDED BENEFIT OF SILVER IONS TO STOP SLIME AND MOULD GROWTH, APPLICATION RESULTS IN IMPROVED INDOOR AIR QUALITY.”
Coil Defender products are water based, ozone safe and use green non-destructive cleaners.
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The finished surface is Super Hydrophobic providing long term corrosion protection. With the added benefit of silver ions to stop slime and mould growth, application results in improved indoor air quality. The range also includes the Coil Degreaser and Coil Protect in handy, easy to apply aerosol. This combination provides total IAQ protection with a simple two-step process of cleaning and coating coils on site. The procedure is quick and provides a longterm, safe treatment that stops contamination on evaporator coils. The latest offering from Coil Defender is the new Condensate Pan Tablet. This non-toxic, caged tablet is a slow release annual treatment made from silver ion and enzyme that will stop the build-up of mould, slime and bacteria in the condensate tray. By reducing potential blockages and water damage, maintenance costs are minimised and indoor air quality is improved. The full range of Coil Defender products are environmentally friendly and are designed to provide long term protection. To find out more about all the Coil Defender product, contact your local Airefrig Australia branch on 1800 671 500. ✺
NABERS changes to save on energy costs FROM JULY 1, 2017, the Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) Program was extended to commercial building spaces of 1,000 square metres and more, helping more businesses save on energy costs. The Federal Government expanded the program, which provides accessible information on the running costs of a commercial building, to smaller commercial office buildings. The move from 2,000 square metres to 1,000 means an additional 1,000 commercial office buildings are now required to disclose their energy efficiency when they sell, lease or sublease their property. The NABERS Energy star rating must appear on all forms of advertising material for the building. It is a move that’s critical for Australia to meet its Montreal Protocol commitments as buildings account for almost a quarter of Australia’s carbon emissions. This will help inform purchasers and tenants about building energy costs and will deliver more than $50 million in energy savings and around 3.5 million tonnes of emission reductions over five years. The change will affect building owners selling or leasing office space with a net lettable area of 1,000 square metres or more and their real estate agents advertising the property. ✺ More information at cbd.gov.au.
Indoor Air Quality Feature
Qld hospital to combat air conditioners mould problem AIR CONDITIONERS WILL be replaced in the women's health and children's units at Mackay Base Hospital in North Queensland in an effort to combat a growing mould problem. The hospital’s CEO, Jo Whitehead, sought expert advice on the cause of the mould growth and the best way to eradicate it after Queensland Health confirmed last month that mould had been discovered “in several areas” of the hospital. An independent report recommended a combination of replacing air conditioning systems in older parts of the hospital and remediation in the new areas as the best way to eradicate mould throughout the buildings.”I need to stress this is non-toxic mould and that air quality tests show airborne mould concentration samples do not include pathogens associated with invasive disease,” Whitehead said. “Pathology tests have been reviewed for the previous six months and have not revealed any hospital-acquired mould infections.” A design engineer has been on-site redesigning the air conditioning in B Block, which con-
RIGHT: Mould is also growing in new areas due to humidity levels and issues with joins in the ducting.
tains the Women’s Health and Child and Adolescent units. B Block was built in 1999 and was refurbished as part of the overall Mackay Base Hospital redevelopment. “It will take four to six weeks for this design work to be done and received, and then the next step will be to appoint a contractor to do the work,” Whitehead said. Expert advice identified the source of the problem. It found a buildup of mould caused by drip trays which were not positioned in the correct angle, causing the water to pool instead of drain. Humidity levels throughout the entire hospital will also be reviewed to ensure they are not conducive to the growth of mould.
Whitehead said a mould remediation contractor would be engaged to clean air conditioning ducts in newer sections of the hospital. The experts have advised mould has grown in new areas due to varying humidity levels and issues with joins in the ducting. “The works will take some time as we need to fully identify the scope of the work required,” she said. ✺
Australia rates highly in green building report GLOBAL GREEN BUILDING is expected to double by 2018, according to a new study from Dodge Data & Analytics in conjunction with the World Green Building Council. The study, World Green Building Trends 2016, Developing Markets Accelerate Global Green Growth, found that the percentage of companies expecting to have more than 60 per cent of their building projects certified green is anticipated to more than double by 2018, from 18 per cent currently, to 37 per cent.
The results in the report are drawn from survey respondents from 69 countries including Australia. Key findings include: Global green building continues to double every three years. Building owners report seeing a median increase of seven per cent in the value of their green buildings compared to traditional buildings. The most widely reported benefit globally is lower operating costs. The top sector for green building growth globally is commercial construction, with nearly half (46 per cent) of all respondents expecting to do a green commercial project in the next three years. Reducing energy consumption continues to be
LEFT: The top sector for green growth in Australia is low-rise residential developments.
the top environmental reason for building green (selected as one of the top two reasons by 66 per cent of all respondents), protecting natural resources ranked second globally (37 per cent), and reducing water consumption ranked third (at 31 per cent). The report described Australia as a stable and mature green market with an increase in green building activity expected in the next three years. The top sector for expected green growth in Australia is new low-rise residential construction, followed by retrofits of existing buildings and institutional construction. When it came to new low-rise residential developments (one to three floors) it was the only category in which the percentage of Australian respondents (39 per cent) exceeds global responses (27 per cent). An estimated 33 per cent of Australian respondents believe that they will work on a green retrofit in the next three years. This is comparable to the global average of 37 per cent. ✺
See the full report at www.worldgbc.org/newsmedia/world-green-building-trends-2016. CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS AUGUST 2017
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Indoor Air Quality
Top choice for pure and clean air flow THE TRUE MARK OF AN ORGANISATION IS ITS ABILITY TO ADAPT TO THE CHANGING TECHNOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENTS IN WHICH IT EXISTS.
Its silent operation makes it a less intrusive appliance, especially with its slim linear design.
A CHOICE ABOVE THE REST
Choice, Australia’s leading consumer advocacy group, in its latest testing of air conditioners last month, has recommended six models from MHIAA that met the group’s rigorous and independent testing. The recently launched Bronte range outperformed other models in cooling efficiency, scoring in the top percentile of the Choice Recommended reports. The powerful performers create a comfortable room environment using the R32 refrigerant to increase its energy efficiency. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries senior advisor, Graham Hamilton, said the company wants to provide innovative solutions that make work and life that much more comfortable “The Bronte range ticks all the boxes for anyone looking for air conditioning.
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The new range produces cleaner air quality, while being energy efficient helping to lower energy bills for families during winter,” he said. Another stand-out feature of the Bronte range is the optional Wi-Fi connectivity. This unique control system allows access anywhere, enabling the temperature to be set outside the home using a smartphone, Apple watch, computer or tablet. Its silent operation makes it a less intrusive appliance, with a slim linear design that doesn’t protrude into rooms, leaving sleek minimalist aesthetics. With a wide operation range, sustained heating and cooling is possible even in extreme outdoor climates from as low as -15°C and as high as 46°C. Bronte by MHIAA is available in leading retailers, air conditioning dealers and comes with a five-year guarantee. BELOW: The Bronte Range has been engineered using the same blade technology as jet engine planes.
EVERY DAY, INNOVATIVE concepts are being discovered and in order to stay relevant in the eyes of consumers and commercial entities, companies, including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioners Australia, must adapt their products and services to remain competitive. As a leading supplier of top-quality residential and commercial air conditioners, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has combined thoughtful innovation and craftsmanship to develop the new Bronte reverse cycle air conditioner range. Innovation has been central to the organisation and underpins every aspect of the Bronte Range. Fostering Japan’s technological leadership and in combination with the organisation’s heritage in engineering, aviation and spacecraft leadership, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has achieved unrivalled success in Australia and New Zealand. It is this success that has led to two of the reverse cycle models in the Bronte Range being Choice Recommended as of June 2017.
“THIS SYSTEM PROVIDES CLIMATE CONSISTENCY AND A POWERFUL, YET SILENT AIR FLOW.”
The Bronte Range has outperformed others in cooling efficiency, scoring in the top percentile of the Choice Recommended reports. This powerful performer in the market is designed to create a comfortable room environment and uses the R32 refrigerant to increase its energy efficiency. Engineered using the same blade technology as jet engine planes, this series features remarkably long reach airflow of up to 18 metres (SRK71ZRA-W/SRK80ZRA-W/SRK24YRA-W in cooling conditions). Ideal for larger rooms, this system provides climate con-
Indoor Air Quality
sistency and a powerful, yet silent air flow, according to the company's senior advisor, Graham Hamilton. “The heart of our design philosophy is the consumer. We want to provide them with the solutions that make work and life that much more comfortable,” Hamilton said. “We understand that the quality of air being circulated by our systems is important to the consumer. “They want a pure and cleaner air flow which is why we have included both the Allergen Clear and Photocatalytic Washable Deodorising Filters to the Bronte Range.” With these filters, pollen, lice and allergens are cleared to produce a cleaner air flow. On top of this, the filters also keep the air fresh by deodorising the molecules that accumulate in the system and cause odour. “The good thing about the function of the Photocatalytic Washable Deodorising Filter is that it can be restored by simply cleaning and exposing the filter to sunlight,” Hamilton said. “This means that users will be able to continually deodorise the molecules in their system with no added costs.” ✺
SUPERIOR TECHNOLOGY THAT OUTPERFORMS Bronte by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries At a glance: R32 Refrigerant
Energy efficient, lower toxicity and less harmful to the environment
Jet Air Technology
Longest reach silent airflow (up to 18 metres)
Wide Operation Range
Effective functioning through extreme outdoor temperatures (-15°C to 46°C)
After-sales support
5 Year guarantee for complete assurance
Advanced filter
Supports cleaner air and reduces allergens
Bronte™ Models
Reverse Cycle 6.3kW: DXK21ZRA-W [Coming Soon] 6.3kW: SRK63ZRA-W [Coming Soon] 7.1kW: SRK71ZRA-W 8.0kW: SRK80ZRA-W 9.5kW: SRK95ZRA-W [Coming Soon] 9.5kW: DXK34ZRA-W [Coming Soon] Cooling Only 7.1kW: SRK24YRA-W
Measure Indoor Air Reliably With Vaisala’s GMW80-Series Transmitters Measures CO2, humidity and temperature Designed for standard, demand-controlled ventilation Ideal for buildings occupied 24/7 Excellent long-term stability Easy to install and use Reliable operation up to 15 years
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Indoor Air Quality
First ever Building Physics Forum DISCUSSIONS ON AIR MOVEMENT, THERMAL PERFORMANCE AND THE CONTROL OF MOISTURE ACROSS BUILDING ENVELOPES WERE COVERED AT AIRAH’S FIRST-EVER BUILDING PHYSICS FORUM. WITH CLOSE TO 80 delegates from across Australia in attendance, AIRAH’s Building Physics Forum provided an in-depth exploration into the ways of controlling flows across a building’s fundamental architectural elements and assemblies. AIRAH CEO, Tony Gleeson, said everyone in attendance was briefed on the the latest developments in air movement and building envelopes, as well as air tightness, ventilation and thermal bridging. "And, as always, there was plenty of thoughtprovoking discussion between presenters and delegates throughout the day," he said. Headlining the event was a keynote address from the founding director of the University of Wollongong’s Sustainable Buildings Research Centre (SBRC), Professor Paul Cooper. In his presentation “Pushing the envelope: Building physics and improved indoor environments”, Cooper provided a comprehensive overview on the recent developments and ef-
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forts to improve the envelope and ventilation performance of buildings to better control our indoor environment. Cooper showcased the recent research findings on natural and mixed-mode ventilation systems and associated control systems, together with the latest research on thermal comfort in residential and high-performance buildings. Innovations and research on building envelope systems, such as innovative wall and façade systems, were also discussed. “Energy efficiency and health go hand in hand,” Cooper said. “It’s a real issue in Australia. And, while we’ve come a long way in building physics in just a few decades – we still have a long way to go.” Certis Energy's Mahmudul Hasan, presented on the NCC Section J Assessment and Compliance of residential aged care in hot and mild temperate climates. As another expert in the building physics space in Australia, Hasan believes the Forum
should become an annual staple on the AIRAH conference calendar. “The Forum provides a significant insight to practitioners regarding what we do based on codes, standards and practices,” Hasan said. “It shows what we need to change and what needs more attention in the future. There is a lot happening in the industry. "Rather than just ignoring the issues, we must be more proactive and educate the building practitioners so they can make things right.” AIRAH executive manager for government and external relations, Phil Wilkinson, said conferences such as the Building Physics Forum are ultimately about informing and educating the industry. “At the end of the day, we want to deliver better indoor and outdoor environmental quality, and improve the overall comfort, wellness, and performance of people,” Wilkinson said. “It was important to hear from those at the forefront of local research, but it was also enlightening to get an international perspective. The inaugural Building Physics Forum provided everyone in attendance with a smorgasbord of technical information, but it also outlined a pathway to a healthier built environment overall.” ✺
Indoor Air Quality
Apartment-ready fan is small and smart TOSHIBA AIR CONDITIONING has announced the availability of its new, apartmentready Single Fan MiNi VRF. The company’s business unit manager for residential and light commercial products, John Caione, said the new Single Fan MiNi VRF is small in size and light in weight, making it ideal for apartment developments. “We all know that there is a continuing boom in apartment developments right around the country,” Caione said. “This is where the Toshiba Single Fan MiNi VRF comes to the rescue. Our inspiration for this product was sourced from the end consumer’s desire for an apartment that has style and plenty of balcony room.” Of course, Toshiba Air Conditioning’s technology is always on show with the product connect-
ing up to five indoor units and including a stylish 210mm (H) and 450mm (D) super slim ducted outlet boasting a low noise fan. Additionally, Toshiba’s remarkable twin rotary inverter compressor with generous energy efficiency delivers stable performance with minimal friction making this an ideal team for the ultimate in design flexibility and noise-sensitive applications. There are four models in the range, with capacity covering 8, 11.2, 14.0 and 15.5Kw. All outdoor units have a space saving maximum height of only 910mm per unit, which makes them ideal to place on a balcony. Applications can cover apartments, hotels, villas, aged care and residential homes. As with all Toshiba Air Conditioning prod-
ABOVE: The new single fan MiNi VRF is compact, stylish and ideal for noise-sensitive applications.
ucts, they are easy to install, feature low maintenance requirements and boast a five-year warranty for year-round satisfaction and peace of mind. “This is why Toshiba’s new Single Fan MiNi VRF is small, smart and apartment-ready,” Caione added. ✺ Visit www.toshiba-aircon.com.au.
AD? Unit 4, Gateway Boulevard, Dandenong Victoria 3175 Australia
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Unit 4, Gateway Boulevard, Dandenong Victoria 3175 Australia
T: +61 3 9791 9200 F: +61 3 9791 9600 E: sales@coilsaust.com.au
CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS AUGUST 2017
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Cert II Review
Report slams short courses for
lowering standards THE CERTIFICATE II IN AIR CONDITIONING SPLIT INSTALLATION COURSE IS SET TO BE ABOLISHED FOLLOWING A NATIONAL STRATEGIC REVIEW UNDERTAKEN BY THE AUSTRALIAN SKILLS QUALITY AUTHORITY (ASQA).
to 50 per cent of the AQF volume of learning minimum for a Cert II course. With so many RTOs not even meeting minimum requirements, the providers that do offer good quality training are under pressure to either reduce quality or leave the market to compete with those providing inadequate training programs. “The impact of unduly short training is far reaching. The long term sustainability of the VET system is at risk unless the issue of unduly short training is definitely addressed,” the report said. It described current regulations relating to course duration as “complex and confusing” and not delivering sufficient training which allows learners to gain the required competencies. “The regulatory framework for duration enshrines the concept of competency-based training but in a manner that is complex and confusing for the RTOs to interpret and difficult for regulators to effectively determine compliance,” ASQA said. ASQA has made a
“UNDULY SHORT TRAINING CAN CREATE AN UNSUSTAINABLE RACE TO THE BOTTOM...” - ASQA report.
THE REVIEW OF “issues relating to unduly short training” is highly critical of current Vocational Education and Training (VET) packages identifying Certificate II courses “as an area of particular concern.” The review found more than a quarter of VET training package qualifications are being advertised with course durations below the minimum period recommended by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Its clear the current Cert II split installation course will not remain in its current form in the wake of this review. “Australia has found that concerns about unduly short training and poor quality learning outcomes were perva-
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sive and give rise to significant public safety risks,” the report said. “Unduly short training can create an unsustainable race to the bottom and over time this can drive Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to compromise their standards to remain viable. This is because quality programs face unfair competition. The increasing number of workers who are not competent in the qualifications they hold perpetuates real skills shortages and impacts on productivity. It poses a strategic risk to the human capital of Australia.” Certificate II was singled out because it had the highest proportion of advertisements showing course duration of less than eight weeks. This equates
number of key recommendations to improve VET outcomes in the report which is currently before the Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Karen Andrews. The first is the introduction of a consistent definition of 'amount of training' across all nationally recognised qualifications. Also, allow industry to set specific training and assessment delivery requirements including course duration in training packages where it is relevant. Recommendation 1: The Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 be amended to include a definition of the amount of training that focuses on supervised learning and assessment activities. This definition be agreed through a consultative process with key stakeholders. Once finalised the term 'amount of training' be adopted in the Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2012 and associated VET accredited course requirements and documentation. Recommendation 2: That training package
Cert II Review
RIGHT: The learning range for Certificate II is supposed to be half a year to one year (17 to 34 weeks) but many RTOs were compromising standards. LEFT: The report has recommended industry set specific training and assessment delivery requirements including course duration.
developers be able to respond to industry-specific risks by setting mandatory requirements, including an amount of training. The report recognises there is no one size fits all solution. Recommendation 3: RTOs be required to publish Product Disclosure Statements to address the lack of transparency and consistency in the way training products are advertised. As of June 30, 2016 ASQA was responsible for the regulation of 4082 of the 4632 RTOs nationally. In 2015, there were 879,596 students
enrolled in Certificate III training package qualifications at ASQA registered RTOs. This is equivalent to 34.8 per cent of the total enrolments. Certificate IV had the third greatest number of enrolments of all VET courses in 2015, with 472,015 enrolments which is equivalent to 18.7 per cent of total enrolments. Student enrolments for Certificate II courses in 2015 totalled 463,911. This is equivalent to 18.4 per cent of total enrolments.(The learning range for Certificate II is supposed
to be half a year to one year (17 to 34 weeks). However, ASQA's review found that of the 1091 Cert II qualifications advertised there were 353 courses, or more than 32 per cent, with a course duration below the minimum 17 weeks. A further 133 of these courses or more than 12 per cent had a course duration below half of the minimum of eight weeks. The report said that Cert II is typically considered a foundation program, in which the entrant is required to undertake preparation before embarking on the demands of a higher level qualification such as Cert III in a specific vocational area. “Cert II graduates would have little autonomy in the workplace and would typically work in a team environment. They would use a limited range of equipment to complete tasks in a defined area of work,” ASQA said. The report found that the impact of short courses was far-reaching as the qualifications are not deemed credible by employers. “It poses an immediate risk to the enterprise plus employers have to retrain employees on the job incurring extra costs.” ✺
SMART Predictive Alarms THAT CUT THROUGH THE NOISE As a Facilities Manager, are you constantly being bombarded with refrigeration & HVAC alarms? How efficient would it be to have intelligent fault alarms that tell you what is wrong even before a fault occurs! Real-time diagnostics have become the norm, with sensors monitoring everything from temperature and humidity to power consumption, and often the slightest fluctuations can trigger alarms.
IMPROVE EFFICIENCIES WITH INTELLIGENT ALARMS AND PREDICTIVE DIAGNOSTICS
However, with a Metis Monitoring system, alarms will only be triggered when action is required, plus it’s predictive diagnostic capabilities will even tell you what action is needed and all before a fault even occurs. Remove the guess work with Metis Monitoring. n Full visibility of systems via remote 24/7 Monitoring. n Predictive diagnostic and learning-based data gathering. n Compatible with any system, retro-fit any site. n All the bells and whistles, at one very affordable monthly fee.
n T: +61 2 8850 3252 n WWW.METISMONITORING.COM.AU CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS AUGUST 2017
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Product Focus
Sensor maintenance for optimal energy savings in HVAC CO2 SENSORS VAISALA PRODUCT MANAGER, LARS STORMBOM MSC, EXPLAINS HOW ADVANCED CONTROL REGIMES SUCH AS DEMAND CONTROLLED VENTILATION (DCV) AND FREE COOLING ARE GAINING IN POPULARITY AS THE PRESSURE TO REDUCE HVAC ENERGY CONSUMPTION CONTINUES TO RISE.
NO AMOUNT OF intelligence in the building automation system can provide assistance if the sensor measuring the actual conditions has drifted. It is also not enough that accuracy requirements are met out of the box, the requirements should be maintained during the lifetime of the building. Indoor air conditions are considered benign for sensors. On the other hand, sensors used in building automation are rarely calibrated or serviced once the system has been commissioned. Mis-wired or faulty sensors are common, so at least one comparison measurement should be done during the system commissioning. It is advisable to check the installed sensors after a couple of years against a reliable handheld instrument. Some measurements demand extra care. I will now discuss outdoor humidity and CO2 sensors in more detail.
OUTDOOR HUMIDITY MEASUREMENT Economisers can save energy in some climates by using free cooling from outdoor air. In humid climates the most important factor is the amount of humidity in the outdoor air, not the temperature. At 30°C the enthalpy changes from 30 kJ/kg to 96 kJ/kg when the relative humidity changes from dry to 95%RH. According to ASHRAE standard 90.1, differen-
ABOVE: Transmitters from Vaisala’s GMW80 Series RIGHT: A hand-held Co2 meter
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tial enthalpy control or fixed enthalpy control is recommended in economisers for hot and humid climates. The RH accuracy for control sensors should be <±5%RH. While most sensors are specified to ±5%RH or better, this specification is out of the box. The ±5%RH should be maintained over lifetime of the system. Outdoor humidity measurements are more demanding. The sensors are subjected to high humidity, high winds, solar heating and pollution. It makes sense to use one properly maintained, high-quality outdoor humidity sensor instead of multiple low quality sensors. Maintenance includes, in addition to periodic checking of the measurement, also regular cleaning of the radiation shield. Failure to do so may lead to temperature readings several °C higher and relative humidity values more than 10%RH lower than actual values. The most important consideration is to use a sensor designed for outdoor use. Some sensors that look good on the data sheet can drift so much in outdoor conditions as to be unusable after a few months. Vaisala achieved top results with three Vaisala HUMICAP sensors used outdoors for more than 12 years at the Vaisala outdoor test site in Vantaa, Finland. We still recommend periodic checking against a reliable handheld instrument at least every second year as conditions outdoors vary dramatically.
CO2 sensors are central in reducing energy consumption using DCV. As the measurement directly controls the amount of fresh air used accuracy requirements are tightening. The Californian regulation CEC-4002008-001-CMF requires a ±75ppm accuracy at 600ppm and 1000ppm including five years stability. ASHRAE standard 90.1 for green buildings requires a ±50ppm accuracy at 1000ppm. This kind of accuracy will not be achieved with simple instruments relying on 400ppm background concentration compensation algorithms. The 1000ppm control CO2 concentration is too far from the supposed 400pm background CO2 concentration as sensitivity drift is also likely to build up over time.
“TESTING ON VAISALA INSTRUMENTS DELIVER OUTSTANDING RESULTS.”
Especially the ±50ppm requirement can be achieved only with dual beam or single beamdual wavelength instruments (like the Vaisala CARBOCAP) that are regularly calibrated using calibration gases. A calibration interval of two years is probably enough depending on the instrument type. For slightly lower requirements a five-year service or replacement regime may be enough as our research found when we tested 23 Vaisala CARBOCAP GM10 measurement modules. Where outdoor CO2 sensors are used in order to control a 600ppm difference between indoor and outdoor CO2 concentrations, this single sensor becomes one of the most important sensors in the whole building. Drift in this sensor will affect all the independent zones in the building. In conclusion, many HVAC instruments are used in order to save energy. To achieve projected energy savings the measurements have to perform properly during their whole lifetime. If something is worth measuring, it is worth measuring right. ✺
New products
New slim-line styling in Aero series ENJOY THE LATEST in slim-line style with Panasonic’s sleek new Aero Series air conditioners. The Panasonic Aero Series features a new slim design and is narrower in depth, projecting less from the wall to blend more subtly with home interiors. This new styling has seen Panasonic receive an iF Design Award in Europe. The unit features an elegant gloss whitefinish and gently rounded horizontal panel with two tapered sides. To complement its attractive design, the Aero Series provides comfort and peace of mind with controlled airflow, purified healthy air and smart energy savings. The new air conditioner range includes both reverse-cycle and cooling-only models. A trusted brand with Australian consumers, Panasonic recently topped the industry in the 2017 Canstar Blue customer satisfaction review for Air Conditioning – rating five stars for overall satisfaction for the second year running. It also rated five stars with regards to reliability, functionality, ease of use, noise levels and value for money. Panasonic's senior product marketing manager for air conditioning, Joe De Bella, said the five star rating from Canstar Blue is proof that customers continue to show their confidence in the Panasonic brand. “Our focus is on delivering a product that offers quality and durability, and keeps consumers comfortable and healthy in the home,” he said.
TOP TO BOTTOM: Panasonic's Aero Series isn't just about attractive design, it also features controlled airflow, purified healthy air and smart energy savings; When fast cooling is required, the blades direct airflow downwards delivering concentrated cool air the moment the unit is switched on.
“Panasonic’s new slim-line Aero Series range is the perfect example of a product that encompasses all of our award winning qualities, so we’re confident it will be received well.” The ‘Aerowings’ blades on the new Panasonic Aero Series control the airflow to provide ‘Shower Cooling’, which directs cool air across the ceiling to shower down naturally, spreading over a wider area of a room and minimising any uncomfortable direct airflow chill. When ‘Fast Cooling’ is required, the blades direct airflow downwards, delivering concentrated cool air the moment the air conditioner is switched on. For those concerned about bacteria and allergens in the home, Panasonic’s revolutionary nanoe-G air purifying feature enhances indoor air quality. nanoe-G eliminates microorgan-
isms – removing 99 per cent of airborne bacteria, viruses and mould. It also catches and deactivates 99 per cent of bacteria and viruses on surfaces and in the filter, resulting in a cleaner and healthier home. The air purifying feature works hand in hand with the Mild Dry Cooling function, which reduces the unwanted side effects of air conditioning, such as dry skin and mouths, by maintaining the level of air moisture in the room. Econavi technology uses multiple intelligent sensors – including human activity, sunlight and temperature – to automatically adapt heating and cooling power according to room conditions. With just one touch of a button, customers can reduce energy use by up to 45 per cent on heating mode and up to 38 per cent on cooling mode. ✺
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New products
Cordless vacuum pump HEATCRAFT HAS ANNOUNCED the availability of the new Blackmax cordless vacuum pump from CPS. This lightweight and portable cordless pump is ideal for small A/C installs, small commercial service and install, domestic, automotive and on sites where power supply is an issue. Many other cordless vacuum pumps are supplied skin only (excluding battery and charger). The Blackmax VPC2S-18VC cordless vacuum pump is supplied with a 6.0Ah battery to ensure you have the right amperage battery for usage of up to one hour run time. The Blackmax VPC2S-18VC cordless vacuum pump also comes with a normally closed solenoid valve. The solenoid valve closes once the battery is about to run out. This is designed to ensure there is no cross-contamination of system and vacuum pump oil once the battery runs out. It also has the advantage of holding the vacuum, so the vacuum isn’t lost if the battery runs out. To order your Blackmax VPC2S-18VC cordless vacuum pump contact Heatcraft on 13 23 50.
Hyper efficient cooling THE NEW CLIMATE Wizard (CW-P15) model released by Seeley International boasts more install options and has exceptional NATA (ISO 17025) certified cooling performance. The hyper efficient cooling technology has an exceptionally long list of flexible configurations in a wide range of industry applications. New features include: a UV-Proof Polymer shell and structure for withstanding extreme weather conditions; integrated air filtration system with options for disposable cartridge or washable bag filters; easy-lift crane lifting points; curb-mount or frame-mount installation options, and horizontal discharge for exhaust air. It can be installed side-by-side on either side and all maintainable components can be accessed front or back. As well as improving the cooling performance of refrigerated equipment, the CW-P15 can actually extend the life of existing refrigerated systems. In fact, the cooling performance increases when air temperature rises and Indoor Air Quality is improved with 100 per cent outside air. No moisture added (dry air cooling) and reduced cooling costs whether it is a retrofit or new install. It has high efficiency inverter drive fan motors and BMS capability. To discuss technical engineering project requirements, contact Michael Hamilton on 0416 222 460 or commercial@seeleyinternational.com.
The Blackmax VPC2S-18VC. ABOVE: CW-P15 model extends the life of refrigerated systems.
Guntner releases design software update
ABOVE: Update includes new features.
AN UPDATED VERSION of the Güntner design software GPC for the thermodynamic design of heat exchangers was released earlier this month. This new version offers several new features. For example, condensers can now be calculated based on the mean temperature. This is an advantage particularly for the new refrigerant mixtures having a high temperature glide as the GPC takes into account their specific characteristics. This way, the effects of the temperature glide on evaporators are minimised, which al-
ways allows for a precise design perfectly adapted to individual needs. There are also three new refrigerants with low GWP available in GPC: R-454, R-455A and R-457A. Güntner is the only manufacturer that states the refrigerant-side pressure drop on the data sheet. This indication is a precondition for carrying out hydraulic balancing and for the energy-efficient operation of a refrigerating plant. For a complete overview of all new and extended features of GPC 2017, visit www.guentner.asia CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS AUGUST 2017
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Temperature Gauge
LG CHEM BUSINESS MANAGER FOR AUSTRALIA AND PACIFIC, JAMIE ALLEN, EXPLAINS HOW SOLAR AND BATTERY STORAGE SYSTEMS ARE A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION TO AUSTRALIA'S ENERGY CRISIS.
Shedding the load, reducing demand on the grid PRESENTLY, SOLAR ENERGY makes up a small section of Australia’s energy market. However, with the falling costs of Energy Storage Systems (ESS) this sector is destined to grow. According to the Climate Council, battery storage is expected to grow 50-fold in less than a decade and half of all households are predicted to adopt a solar system with added battery storage, potentially growing the market to $24 billion. It’s not hard to figure out why Australians are so willing to invest in solar battery storage systems either. We are a nation of sustainable residents with a proven track record of adapting our lifestyles to combat electricity demands and prices. Solar battery storage solutions have proven to be a long-term cost saving solution, reducing pressure on Australia’s aging grid system. With the country enduring one of its hottest summers on record, reliance on the grid has been at an all-time high. Residents in South Australia were forced to endure rolling blackouts, while those in parts of New South Wales were on high-alert with possible blackouts predicted. For many, brief power cuts are a slight inconvenience but for others, blackout situations can be devastating and potentially deadly. With greater uptake in solar and storage solutions predicted, there is potential to reduce pressure on the grid. Consumers are becoming
savvier with their energy consumption, but during peak times, they are still crippled by an increased demand on networks (e.g. summer and winter). Currently ESS users have the option to send energy back to the grid or store it, giving them greater control over how they consume energy with options to also have blackout protection.
“WITH GREATER UPTAKE IN SOLAR AND STORAGE SOLUTIONS PREDICTED, THERE IS POTENTIAL TO REDUCE PRESSURE ON THE GRID.”
Long-term, the results of this could have a double effect, not only easing consumer reliance on the grid but also ease the pressure on energy providers. If ESS users choose to store their energy for personal use, pressure on the grid is reduced significantly. It enables more effective management by providers and decreases the pressure to constantly load shed, a method used to match demand on the grid, which ultimately helps to prevent grid-related blackouts.
BACKUP POWER In cases of blackout situations, ESS can also serve as an energy backup. For some households and businesses this could prove valuable, while for others it could even be lifesaving. Australian consumers want peace of mind by having access to a backup power supply. For businesses, this is vital as time without power can mean loss of business and potentially thousands of lost dollars. High quality ESS are the logical solution to this problem and regardless of weather conditions they will save consumers money in the long run. ESS enable users to regain control over their electricity costs as well. Ideally, homeowners can benefit from ESS during high consumption months by maximising the use of their PV generated electricity. Depending on the size of the installed PV system and the user's behaviour, benefits from residential storage systems could see a monthly reduction of up to 80 per cent, significantly lowering costs. It’s time for consumers, businesses and government to understand the benefits of solar and storage systems as it is not only a renewable option but a lasting sustainable option. As long as the sun is shining consumers are going to be assured energy security. ✺
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jamie Allen is LG Chem business manager, Australia and Pacific. He has over 10 years experience in the mechanical engineering field and a wealth of experience in renewable energy industries since 2010 focusing on solar and energy storage solutions. Allen is the first LG Chem representative based in Australia focusing on market development, strategy and assisting with the setup of local operations. He resides in Melbourne with his wife and two children. Jamie Allen can be contacted at jamieallen@lgchem.com.
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Precise humidity
and temperature control
Control humidity and temperature precisely. Our PCU dehumidification systems use our internationally patented heat exchange technology combined with the latest developments in variable speed and inverter drives, compressor and refrigerant control technologies, and EC fans to deliver an incredibly fine level of control.
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AIRAH “Excellence in Innovation” Winner 2013 AIRAH “Excellence in Innovation” Winner 2012 ARBS Industry Awards “ESD Product” Winner 2010 Air Change Pty Ltd products internationally patent protected Refrigerant Trading Authorisation No: AU23586