Ecolibrium edition

Winter 2025

Our redesigned winter 2025 issue kicks off with a look at the Canberra Raiders’ new training facility, examines the human effects of living with mould, discusses gender diversity in HVAC&R, and digs into the debate between copper and aluminium cable.

Articles

Spectacular conversion

Cutting-edge HVAC and BMS design played a huge role in the Canberra Raiders’ redevelopment of their spiritual home at Northbourne Oval. Here’s how the state-of-the-art project unfolded.

How’s your air?

After mould-related illness turned Brandon Chappo’s life upside down, he co-founded Change the Air Foundation to do provide a voice for the millions of others affected.

From the president

Lessons from a legend

Babylyn Briones

Q&A with Babylyn Briones 

Babylyn Briones is AIRAH’s new Accreditation Officer and Registrar, having started with the Institute in April. Ecolibrium got to know Babylyn, whose work focuses primarily on the AIRAH Professional Engineer Register (APER).

250325 RefCon25 crowd web-res

What we learnt at RefCon25 

AIRAH’s 2025 Refrigeration Conference was billed as the hottest conference for the coolest industry, and it didn’t disappoint. 

Z6p 4507 Fake Webres

From the editor

Same, but different

A green light from voters

AIRAH has prepared a document outlining the Institute’s policy priorities for the freshly re-elected federal government.

close-up-ventilation-system

AIRAH develops short course on ASHRAE Standard 241 

Ecolibrium speaks with Brad Prezant, Affil.AIRAH, instructor of the Institute’s new short course on ASHRAE Standard 241. 

Simon Hill, LAIRAH, ARBS Hall of Fame

A tribute to Simon Hill, L.AIRAH 

AIRAH sends its condolences to the family of Simon Hill, L.AIRAH, who passed away on April 3.

Blind spots on the road to net zero: Australia’s refrigerant reporting gaps 

Australia’s National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Act mandates that large corporations report greenhouse gas emissions, energy production, and consumption, including emissions from refrigerants.

Slow response to new filter standards 

An important changeover of filter standards is underway in Australia, but industry has so far been slow to move.

Advocacy

The human factor

VEU to provideinsulation rebates

The Victorian government has announced that it will subsidise residential ceiling insulation through the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program from 2026.

ASBEC releases embodied carbon roadmap 

The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) has released a policy roadmap to reduce upfront embodied carbon in the built environment.

The importance of safe air at events

Amy Lewis from the Safer Air Project introduces a toolkit for making events safe, accessible, and inclusive for those at risk from poor IAQ.

A diverse workforce boosts your business

Donald Trump started his second presidency by ordering the US government to wind back or abolish diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, and some major companies followed suit.

trumps shadow

Shadow of doubt 

Donald Trump’s return to office has had a seismic effect on global markets and muddied the pathway to net zero emissions. Will the Australian HVAC&R industry feel the aftershocks?

Mesmerizing view of fresh green fields under a cloudy sky

Why does hot air rise? 

We’ve all heard the saying “hot air rises”. Daniel Bonatti, M.AIRAH, explains why this phenomenon occurs, how our understanding has evolved over time, and what it means for practical applications in building design.

HI-RES-roundtable-from-HVAC24

Perspectives on gender diversity in HVAC&R 

HVAC&R professionals Sonia Holzheimer, M.AIRAH, Taylor Burdett, and Claudia Yuan, Stud.AIRAH, share their experiences of the industry, the barriers to entry, and where they see the future for women in HVAC&R.

Commission possible