Walk into a newly built or recently refurbished supermarket in Australia and there's a good chance the refrigeration system keeping your groceries cold is running on CO₂ (R744). Once considered a technology best suited to Europe's cooler climate, transcritical CO₂ refrigeration has rapidly become the preferred choice for major Australian supermarket chains. Driven by environmental targets, improved system efficiency and advances in refrigeration technology, CO₂ is no longer a

As transcritical CO₂ (R744) refrigeration systems become increasingly common across Australia, technicians are moving away from traditional Type K and Type L copper in favour of high-strength copper-iron alloys such as K65 (CuFe2P). While K65 looks and handles much like standard copper, it shouldn't be treated the same on the job site. Designed to withstand operating pressures of up to 130 bar, K65 requires the correct brazing techniques to ensure every joint maintains its st

If you're designing, installing or servicing modern refrigeration systems, you've probably noticed more pressure ratings stamped directly onto fittings than ever before. Manufacturers now clearly specify the Safe Working Pressure (SWP) or Maximum Allowable Pressure (PS) on their products to ensure they're matched to the correct application. Historically, standard copper and brass fittings were suitable for traditional low-pressure refrigerants with little concern about pressu

Over the past decade, press-fit technology has gained significant traction across the plumbing and HVAC industries. Manufacturers highlight faster installation, reduced hot works and improved productivity, making press-fit an attractive option for many applications. At Aker Advantage, however, we've made a deliberate decision to focus exclusively on soldered copper fittings. Does that mean press-fit doesn't have a place? Not at all. But when it comes to commercial refrigerati

If you are designing or installing commercial refrigeration systems in Australia, you are already dealing with the HFC phase-down. The shift toward natural refrigerants has made transcritical carbon dioxide (R744/CO₂) systems the standard for supermarkets and industrial cooling. However, CO₂ comes with a significant engineering challenge: extreme operating pressures. Standard phosphorus-deoxidised copper (C12200) simply cannot handle the Safe Working Pressure (SWP) requiremen

Understanding the Compliance Framework for Australian HVACR For commercial refrigeration installers across Australia and New Zealand, regulatory compliance isn't optional—it's a critical requirement before any system can be commissioned. When working with natural refrigerants such as R744 (CO₂), the design, construction, and safety of refrigeration systems are governed by AS/NZS 5149 (Parts 1–4), alongside the pressure equipment standards AS/NZS 1200 and the pressure piping s

May is Lung Health Awareness Month — a time to pause and recognise how important lung health is to everyday life. For us, this month is personal. Like many families, we have loved ones who live with lung health issues. Seeing firsthand how respiratory conditions can affect quality of life has made us more aware of just how vital lung health is — and how often it’s taken for granted until it’s impacted. What we’re doing this month As a small business, we believe that even mod

In today’s market, consistency is hard to come by. Across the HVACR industry, businesses are dealing with rising costs, unpredictable supply chains, currency movement, and ongoing pressure on margins. It’s not uncommon to see prices change with little notice — and while that may be understandable, it doesn’t make it any easier for the people trying to run their businesses day to day. At Aker Advantage, we’re very aware of that reality. And we want our customers to know this: