AIRAH

This paper presents a techno-economic evaluation of a phase change material (PCM) thermal battery (TB) system developed through an industry-university cooperation project.

Sonia Holzheimer, M.AIRAH, remembers fondly the recently departed Graeme Standfield, F.AIRAH, whose designs for HVAC in the tropical north were innovative and influential.

Ventilation units within vehicle tunnels play a pivotal role in ensuring safety and optimal air quality for occupants. These units are used to assist with propelling air from one end to the opposite end of the tunnel. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has emerged as an invaluable design tool for engineers and stakeholders, offering simulated insights and data to optimise safety and efficiency in tunnel projects. This paper emphasises the advantages of CFD for road tunnel ventilation design, showcases a case study involving impulse fans, and highlights the positive effects on project costs and overall tunnel ventilation performance.

Perth-based Evan Pratt, Affil.AIRAH, is residential HVAC project engineer and estimator for Consolidated Energy.

Company values go beyond mere words on a page, writes Professor Gayle Avery.

As I reflect on my personal journey with AIRAH over the past seven years, it’s clear that the past six months have been transformative.

As a result of the increased contribution of renewable energy for electricity generation and rising gas prices, there has been a shift from natural gas to electric-based heating in recent times. Commonly used electric heating technologies in the built environment include electric resistance, and air- or water-source heat pumps (hereafter known as “conventional heat pumps”). However, a key concern in the industry has been the use of refrigerants that have high Global Warming Potential (GWP) and other refrigerants that are flammable and/or toxic.  

Employers that care about the wellbeing of their staff, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders do better in the long run, writes Professor Gayle Avery.

One test of an award program’s veracity is how well the decision to bestow plaudits is viewed through the lens of time.

So, we are almost at the end of 2023 – where does the time go? Here’s the thing: we are focused on net zero and carbon neutrality, but what has been done in the past 12 months to reach our targets, and where will we be at the end of the next 12 months, I wonder?  

Adelaide-based Nathan Budarick, M.AIRAH, is a research and development technician/engineer for Seeley.

Ecolibrium catches up with the Melbourne-based vice president of operations for Conserve It.

At the recent Women of AIRAH breakfast, attendees were challenged to be agents of change for greater equity, diversity and inclusion in our sector.

Awards, celebrating distinguished contributions in Australia’s HVAC&R and building services sector. Awards are handed out in six categories: young achiever, product excellence, software/digital excellence, project excellence, outstanding industry education/training, and the ARBS Industry Hall of Fame.

Does your work actually matter – to you? To your employees? Answers to these questions are important because today many employees are looking for meaning and purpose in their work, in addition to receiving a paycheque. Most people – particularly the younger generation – prefer to do something that also adds value to the world.

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) using electromagnetic radiation in the UV‑C wavelength band of 200–280nm can prevent the reproduction of microorganisms. Several factors related to UV fixtures, HVAC layout and the resulting airflow flow patterns can affect the performance of upper‑room UVGI applications.

Well, it has been a busy few weeks, and as I put pen to paper for this column AIRAH has just held the Future of HVAC 2023 conference, along with the Building Physics Forum and Big Data and Analytics Forum, which were all held at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, writes Paul Jackson, F.AIRAH.

International Women in Engineering Day once again reminds us of the gender disparity in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Some progress has been made in addressing serious barriers for attracting and retaining women in STEM occupations

Chris Wright, M.AIRAH, is a director of HVAC&R contractor TCM, based in Moonah, a northern suburb of Hobart.

This paper examines the challenges associated with removing natural gas from hospitals and transitioning to all-electric systems. It emphasises the unique energy requirements of hospitals and the need to prioritise patient care and safety over energy efficiency.