Heat pump equipment extracts renewable natural heat energy that produces less CO2 emissions than energy generated by fossil fuels such as oil and coal. Daikin is developing and promoting the use of heat pump equipment to enable both improved energy conservation and comfort to all regions of the world.
1.Growing as a Company While Protecting the Environment
With the growth of the Daikin Group comes greater environmental impact. Although our main mission as an air conditioner company is to provide people with comfortable air, it stands to reason that the more air conditioners we provide, the more CO2 is emitted.
To ensure protection of the environment while achieving sustainable corporate growth, the Daikin Group makes "reducing CO2 in business activities" a top priority and aims to achieve this by developing energy-efficient products and minimizing the amount of energy used in production and distribution. One particular focus of these efforts is the spread of products using heat pump technology.
2.Making Use of Natural Energy
In heat pump technology used in air conditioners, heat is drawn from the air and transferred for use in cooling and heating. Compared to methods that directly burn gas, oil, or coal, heat pump technology emits less than half the amount of CO2 (in the case of Europe and Japan).
Around the world today, there is a growing movement to decrease CO2 emissions by moving away from the use of fossil fuels and instead use renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power. Heat energy that exists inside air and water is one form of renewable energy. Like solar panels that convert the sun's energy to electricity and wind turbines that convert the power of the wind to energy, heat pump technology allows us to make use of an endless supply of energy.
In 2008, heat pumps were recognized in the EU as "technology that captures renewable energy." EU members are working towards the EU's goal for 2020 of reducing CO2 emissions by 20% and raising renewable energy to 20% of the energy mix. With this recognition, heat pump technology will contribute to achieving this goal.
Heat Pumps Use Outside Air as an Energy Source
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Space Heating and Hot Water Supply Account for a Large Portion of Home Energy Consumption
Source: Jyukankyo Research Institute Inc. |
3.Boosting the Worldwide Heat Pump Business
Space heating and hot water supply account for a large portion of the energy consumed by homes. So converting space heating and hot water supply from conventional combustion methods to the heat pump method can dramatically reduce residential energy consumption and overall CO2 emissions. The Daikin Group is conducting worldwide marketing activities aimed at getting heat pump heating systems to more people around the globe.
In Japan, Daikin provides "Eco-Cute," a heat pump water heater for residential use and "Hot-Eco VRV," a high efficiency office building multi heater/air conditioner for cold climates, along with commercial use heating systems. Although heat pump technology had once been thought to provide insufficient heating in cold regions, it is now flourishing in these regions because of its improved heating capacity and energy savings.
In Europe, sales are moving briskly for heat pump type hot water heaters and heating systems that we introduced in 2006. In 2008, we began providing a solar panel kit that can supply 30-70% of the necessary electricity for these systems. We are also developing products that will meet the climate and living needs of customers in regions including China and the U.S.
4.Air Conditioning Solutions to Match Regional Lifestyles and Culture
Although heaters and hot water heaters using heat pumps offer superior energy performance for space heating and hot water supply, they must match the lifestyles and cultures of each country and region. Space heating and hot water supply vary greatly from country to country since they are incorporated in each culture.
In 2008, Daikin established the Environment Research Centre in Belgium, where we conduct a wide range of research into the needs of European consumers. This facility will be the hub for developing heat pump heaters and air conditioners that are rooted in European lifestyles and cultures.
It is the Daikin Group's dream to provide people around the world with air conditioning solutions offering comfort, energy efficiency, and low environmental impact, and in a form that is in harmony with their lifestyles and cultures. Daikin will continue to move towards this dream one step at a time.
1.Growing as a Company While Protecting the Environment
