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Ian Loney, F.AIRAHOriginally from Daylesford, Victoria, Ian Loney, F.AIRAH, grew up in Launceston, Tasmania before moving to Hobart to start his career. Loney has worked as a sole trader for more than 20 years. His job as a mechanical consultant includes meeting with contractors, developers, architects, and building surveyors; preparing concept designs and CAD drawings; running load programs; making equipment selections; providing specifications; evaluating tenders; and conducting site inspections. Loney served as AIRAH’s National President from 1996–1997. Below, he tells us about how he came to the HVAC&R industry, his experiences with AIRAH, and where he sees the industry headed |
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What brought you to the HVAC&R industry? I was offered a position as a trainee draftsman with consultants WE Bassett & Partners in Hobart in 1966. I have remained in the industry ever since. It’s a great industry to work in – every day is different. What's your favourite HVAC&R-related memory? Talking shop and life with ASHRAE President and life member Fred Kohloss on an AIRAH weekend getaway bus trip to Margaret River after a conference in Fremantle, Western Australia. What’s something most people wouldn’t know about you? Outside of work, I spent a lot of years scuba diving and focusing on underwater photography. I have a fish named after me. |
How long have you been a member of AIRAH? During the 70s I was working for consultants Lobley Treidel & Partners in Hobart. Once a month, AIRAH’s Tasmania division held its committee meeting in our staff room after work. I was asked every month: “When was I joining?” I finally joined AIRAH in May 1980. How do you see the HVAC&R industry developing over the next 100 years? I have been fortunate to experience 50 years of research and development in the industry and have seen how far we have come in that time, particularly in energy efficiency. The events of 2020 have changed everything, and the future for most industries will be challenging for some time. |