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Throughout our industry recently, it has become quite common-place to see persistent attempts to promote and market flammable refrigerants, as so-called ‘drop-in’ replacements, for use as a retrofit option in mobile air conditioning systems. This practice has the potential to be dangerous, and could place your technicians, your customers and the general public at risk. … Continue reading VASA issues safety warning on flammable refrigerants

TAFE lecturer and auto electrician, Peter Stubley, has been elected to the Board of VASA. He has more than 30 years experience in the industry – running his own workshop for 25 years before becoming a full time teacher in 2006. Peter is currently teaching Certificate II Automotive Air Conditioning, Certificate III Automotive Electrical Technology … Continue reading VASA welcomes new Board member

MACS (August 2013): The water pump is the heart of the cooling system and today’s pumps are made better than ever, with such features as stainless steel impellers and more durable seals. But although they seem to be lasting longer, they aren’t matching the durability of cars in general. An apparent reason is contaminated coolant, … Continue reading Are you seeing water pump comebacks?

Daily News (July 31, 2013): Mercedes-Benz has gotten a bit too cool for French lawmakers, who have issued a ban on four of the German automakers top models due to their use of banned air conditioning coolant R134a. The models affected by the Mercedes-Benz ban in France include the A, B, CLA and SL class … Continue reading French government bans Mercedes Benz for using R134a

RRA (July 1, 2013): From July 1, 2013 refrigeration contractors will receive $4.50 per kilogram for waste refrigerant gases collected for destruction. The increase, which is paid via the Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) recovery program, is part of the Federal Government’s Destruction Incentives Program for waste synthetic greenhouse gases (SGG) and ozone depleting (ODS) refrigerants. … Continue reading Refrigerant incentive program begins

The member-exclusive Wire & Gas 2013 portal is now live. Here you will find reports, photos, presentations and videos from our special 20th Anniversary Wire & Gas held at the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa from June 8 to 10. More than 100 delegates attended the event, made possible through the generous support of … Continue reading Wire & Gas 2013 portal now live

SMH (June 19, 2013): The insurance industry has been blasted for blocking the recovery of highly potent greenhouse gases contained in hundreds of thousands of written-off vehicles sold at auction each year. About 600,000 cars are sold each year for parts and scrap metal. Each contains about 250 grams of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) 134a gas in … Continue reading Gas salvage from cars would be win for air

Media Statement from David Bradbury MP – Assistant Treasurer & Minister for Deregulation (June 2103) The Gillard Government has endorsed the need for a code of conduct between independent automotive repairers and car manufacturers to allow repairers access to the data they need to service modern cars, said Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury. This is part … Continue reading Improving choice of automotive repairers for consumers

ABC News (June 11): The Australian Automobile Association says a proposed code of conduct for the automotive industry would be “weak” and does not go far enough for consumers. The Commonwealth Consumer Affairs Advisory Council has conducted an inquiry into the automotive repair market. It found independent repairers have been frustrated by a lack of … Continue reading Code of conduct looms for automotive repairs industry

VASA’s annual Wire & Gas convention (Gold Coast June 8-10) is now just a few days away, with more than 100 delegates registered for training. Like last year, attendees will be separated into four colour coded groups – for training by Jack Stepanian, Grant Hand, Geoff Mutton and Carrier Transicold transport refrigeration specialist Mick Morley. … Continue reading Important information for Wire & Gas delegates