Articles
Electrical contractors worse off
The 2013 NECA Market Monitor released in September clearly shows that although industry charge-out rates have gone up by 7% since the 2011 survey - the cost of doing business has risen by around 25% over the past year alone. So the average electrical contractor is considerably worse off today than they were two years ago. [ + ]
ASHRAE/IES introduce major changes to energy standard
Major changes to requirements regarding building envelope, lighting, mechanical and the energy cost budget are contained in the newly published energy standard from ASHRAE and IES. [ + ]
Harbour City Ferries uses thermal imaging to improve safety
Harbour City Ferries has significantly improved safety of its staff, vessels and other users of Sydney Harbour with installation of FLIR M320L thermal imaging cameras across its entire fleet. [ + ]
Setting new benchmarks for efficiency and design
Doltone House, Hyde Park, one of Sydney's most iconic venues, has undergone a major refurbishment that is expected to lead to significant improvements in energy efficiency. [ + ]
Perovskite cells hit 15% efficiency
NTU scientists have developed a solar cell made from organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite materials which they say is about five times cheaper than current thin-film solar cells, due to a simpler, solution-based manufacturing process. [ + ]
Slowdown in energy efficiency despite growing government involvement
Energy-efficiency improvements have slowed down, reveals the World Energy Council's latest study. The report shows that more and more countries are now involved in energy-efficiency policies, but also highlights numerous factors that have affected energy-efficiency progress across 85 countries, representing more than 90% of global consumption. [ + ]
Managing the risks of doing business online
Online business opportunities provide many obvious benefits, including: access to new markets; extending business beyond traditional trading hours; receiving payments more immediately; reducing inventories; and reducing the overheads associated with operating in physical premises. [ + ]
Derisking communications installations
Installing electrical cabling in the wrong coloured conduit and not understanding ‘customer cabling’ are the two key issues that seem to cause the greatest conflict in electrical and cabling projects and inevitably lead to rework that costs the electrical contractor time and money. It may also lead to liquidated damages. [ + ]
Government releases new NBN plan
NBN Co's shareholder ministers, Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Finance Minister Senator Mathias Cormann, have issued an interim Statement of Expectations to the company as the first step in implementing changes to government policy. [ + ]
enLighten retrofits NSW Land and Housing property
enLighten Australia was awarded the tender to retrofit LED lighting in NSW Land and Housing Corporation's property in Eastlakes. NSW Land and Housing Corporation owns and manages the state's portfolio of 144,000 social housing dwellings in NSW. [ + ]
The importance of inspecting small electrical devices
The advantages of using thermal imaging as a predictive maintenance (PdM) tool are well known, but for every large distribution apparatus scanned with regularity, any number of 208Y/120 panels, control panels and other small electrical devices are often overlooked. This article explains why it's important to inspect small equipment with thermal imaging. [ + ]
Access control creates opportunities for contractors
The physical security and access control market is undergoing a major transition to IP-based solutions. Access control intelligence is moving to the door and the phone, presenting opportunities for electrical contractors to grow their business and help clients choose the right security solution. [ + ]
Crowne Plaza Melbourne improves energy efficiency
Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne is a 4½-star hotel located on the banks of the Yarra River on the fringe of the CBD. Over the past eight years, Crowne Plaza Melbourne has been working steadily to increase its energy efficiency under the guidance of Victorian Area Engineering Manager Robin Power. [ + ]
Achieving efficiency with lighting controls
The increasing uptake of LED lighting is also driving the demand for lighting controls. As building owners, operators and facility managers become more aware of the benefits of the lighting control technology, it’s time for contractors to embrace and master the technology to grow their business. [ + ]
Swire Cold Storage optimises voltage to improve efficiency
Swire Cold Storage’s Western Australian facility handles a variety of frozen foods including vegetables and seafood. It has 15,000 pallet positions, includes blast freezers with up to 144-tonne capacity and has a capacity of 263,346 m3. [ + ]