The ARBS Education and Research Foundation is committed to supporting further education of people employed in the HVAC industry along with practical research into contemporary industry issues. The Foundation achieves these objectives by making financial grants and scholarships to individuals and organisations.

Ian Hopkins, Foundation chair, is pleased to announce a grant of $39,000 to AIRAH to assist in the development of a Professional Diploma in Energy-Efficient Sustainable HVAC.

This diploma will consist of four key units of competence.

• Compliance with energy and sustainable codes of practice.
• Energy efficient and sustainability in building services operations and maintenance.
• Evaluation of design principles of energy-efficient HVAC systems.
• Key design issues energy-efficient HVAC systems.

In terms of being in keeping with contemporary needs, the diploma will be delivered online.

Through education and overtime, the industry will benefit because of more efficient energy use in buildings, especially reduced HVAC energy, improved indoor air quality along with being sustainable.

AIRAH CEO, Tony Gleeson said “AIRAH is very thankful to the ARBS Foundation for the investment in the development of this diploma which will help to make a significant difference in the compliance to codes and standards in the very important design of energy efficient HVAC systems”.

Development of the diploma content is underway and it will be subject to peer review to ensure that the most up-to-date industry developments are incorporated

All participants will be required to complete the AIRAH assessment process to receive the diploma.

Ian Hopkins said, the foundation is pleased to be associated with the development of the diploma. He added, that ongoing professional development opportunities like this diploma are very important to the industry and consumers.