Returning to the HVAC&R plant room after six years away battling depression has felt like a homecoming. The kindness, compassion and sense of connection shown by industry colleagues have been overwhelming, particularly after such a long period of isolation.
As I’ve re-engaged with the industry, I’ve been encouraged by the progress being made: potential stronger refrigerant stewardship initiatives, growing adoption of hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide (CO2) and ammonia refrigerants, increasing awareness of PFAS impacts from some hydrofluoroolefins (HFO blends) (these are the latest synthetic refrigerants), a greater focus on circular economy principles, electrification, and renewed attention on reducing both direct refrigerant emissions and indirect energy related emissions from existing buildings.
Looking back, it’s remarkable how much of the original HVACR industry strategic roadmap to achieve a low emission HVACR sector has already been delivered. The framework helped drive major initiatives, including world-leading HVAC and refrigeration rating tools, improved industry data sharing, and numerous projects funded through the ARENA-supported i-Hub program.
Yet many of the strategy’s core priorities remain as relevant today as they were then: maintenance excellence, workforce development, better measurement and benchmarking, stronger government leadership, improved refrigerant management, and unlocking emissions reductions from existing buildings.
One area still crying out for attention is a national standard or technical specification for maintenance for energy efficient HVAC&R. Encouragingly, work is now underway through Standards Australia to make this a reality.
For me, the lesson is simple: The strategy isn’t dead – it just needs a reawakening.
It’s time for a strategy 2.0; a bigger, more inclusive bus that brings together industry, government, researchers, educators and building owners to accelerate the transition to a low-emissions future.
It’s good to be back in the plant room. The party is still there, and the people are still doing amazing things – they just need to tell better stories.
What are you working on? What trends are you seeing? And what would you like to be part of as we build the next strategy?
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