More than 150 delegates attended the Pre-Loved Buildings Conference in Melbourne last week.
Hosted by the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH), the conference drew together industry professionals interested in optimising the existing building stock.
Delegates included HVAC design engineers and consultants, building operators, RMIT University students, facility managers, mechanical services contractors, and maintenance personnel.
AIRAH CEO Phil Wilkinson, said the event struck a chord with those keen to get the most out of the “pre-loved” building stock.
“The Pre-loved Buildings conference underscores that a strong focus on HVAC&R in the existing built environment can achieve transformative effects when it comes to reducing energy use, conserving water and improving the occupied space,” Wilkinson said.
“What was also clear was the strong impact NABERS has had in this space, and the importance of the Green Building Fund’s continuing support for the industry.”
The conference opening address, “Energy efficiency is the new black” was delivered by Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Mark Dreyfus.
“Backed by the government’s Clean Energy Future plan and a property market that is embracing energy efficiency, your industry is at the forefront of a very big and very long-term change that will improve living standards of all Australians,” Dreyfus told delegates.
On the second day of the conference the keynote address was delivered by Greg Hunt, the Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage.
His address was entitled "Clean energy without the carbon tax."
Conference committee chair Bruce Precious, said a number of presentations outlined the experience of bringing poor-performing buildings up to high – 4-plus NABERS Energy Standars.
Precious said it is clear that climate change and the resulting requirement for energy efficiency has not made existing buildings redundant.
“Improving energy efficiency saves owners and tenants money, and is often a strategy to improve indoor environments,” Precious said.
“The HVAC industry has a significant role to play in continued innovation."
