A global review led by UNSW Sydney argues that keeping buildings cool without relying solely on air conditioning will be critical for adapting to climate change. Published in Nature Reviews Clean Technology, it examines the latest advances in passive cooling technologies, from emerging materials for radiative, evaporative and combined radiative/evaporative cooling to sophisticated solar control systems and intelligent ventilation technologies that can help buildings shed heat without consuming electricity. Read more
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Microsoft, Google and Amazon are among the tech companies spending an estimated $1 trillion on AI infrastructure this year and last. In some regions, they are using far more water than they report, depending on how data centers are powered, and their water consumption is projected to grow rapidly in coming years. These companies produce annual sustainability reports that include water use at their data centers, but among this group of titans, only Meta tallies water used at the power stations that feed them electricity. Read more
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U.S. researchers showed that standard residential air-source heat pumps can be retrofitted to operate directly on DC power with minor modifications and no significant loss in performance. Their lab, field and modeling work further indicates that DC nanogrids can improve system efficiency and reduce electricity costs by about 12.5–16.7% by reducing power conversion losses and improving integration with solar and storage systems. Read more
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At Cornell University, researchers are testing how a deep geothermal system can work far from the tectonic boundaries and volcanoes that have long defined where distributing their energy is even viable. By tapping into the planet's internal warmth, the project, known as Earth Source Heat, could supply the 2,300-acre (931-hectare) campus in Ithaca with fossil fuel-free heat to help the university become carbon neutral by 2035. Read more
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Join ASHRAE Journal Associate Editor Allison Hambrick along with guests Max Rohr and Paige Knowles as they discuss best practices for hiring, building a productive and comfortable work environment, and how to encourage more people to enter the HVAC industry.
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By Kyle Bigourdin, P.Eng., BCX P
Columnist Kyle Bigourdin explores the importance of integrated testing of fire protection and life safety systems. Effective functioning, he says, is crucial to ensure occupant safety and the protection of property in buildings of all types. Download here
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Great buildings start with great design. ASHRAE’s HVAC Design Level I & II courses equip engineers with the fundamentals and advanced practices needed for efficient, high-performing systems. Attendees will also experience the NEW HVAC Design Level II course, which has been completely revamped and enhanced with new examples, improved course content, and current standard references to deliver an even better learning experience. Gain practical knowledge you can apply right away while learning directly from industry experts. Register today!
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HVAC industry groups ACCA, HARDI and PHCC recently announced that they’ve filed a legal challenge to an EPA rule finalized in late May, arguing that parts violate the law and threaten to "destabilize the refrigerant market." The EPA’s rule removed the deadline for installing most residential and light commercial R-410A systems; however, it also pushed back deadlines by which certain commercial refrigeration equipment must transition away from high-GWP refrigerants. While the industry applauded the removal of the R-410A deadline, associations warned that allowing high-GWP commercial refrigeration equipment to continue to be sold while the associated refrigerants are being phased down will raise refrigerant prices across the industry. Read more
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