Increasing Air Conditioner Efficiency

Life Cycle Assessment

Focusing on Increasing Energy Efficiency and Reducing Refrigerant Impact during Product Use

We assess global warming impact of air conditioners using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method, which allows us to determine the environmental impact at each stage of a product's life cycle.

In the life cycle of an air conditioner, the majority of the greenhouse gas that is emitted occurs during product use stage, and refrigerants also represent a large impact. That is why we focus on reducing the impact of these two. In addition to incorporating inverter technology to reduce power consumption, we employ R-32, a refrigerant with low global warming potential, to achieve greater energy efficiency. In fiscal 2021, we reduced CO2 emissions from residential air conditioners by 19% and from commercial air conditioners by 28% compared to life cycle CO2 emissions 10 years earlier.

Sample of LCA: Comparison of CO₂ Emissions over Product Lifecycle^*1

*1

Based on Daikin standards for 2.8-kW class residential air conditioners and 14-kW class commercial air conditioners.

*2

The seasonal power consumption is calculated in accordance with the standard of the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) for residential air conditioners and the Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industries Association for commercial air conditioners.

*3

Refrigerant impact is calculated by obtaining the global warming potential per unit of weight, while factoring in the average leakage rate during the product use, disposal, and recycling stages.

Improving Energy Efficiency of Air Conditioners

Improving Annual Performance Factor (APF)^*1 and Integrated Part Load Value (IPLV)^*2

In the life cycle of an air conditioner, the majority of the CO2 that is emitted occurs during product use. When we revised our voluntary environmental standards, we tightened our criteria for energy efficiency in the product use stage in order to improve the energy efficiency of products.

*1

Annual performance factor (APF): The APF represents heating and cooling capacity per kWh over one year of use of an air conditioner under specific conditions. The higher the APF, the better an air conditioner's energy efficiency.

*2

Integrated part load value (IPLV): The IPLV is an energy efficiency indicator obtained by calculating the weighted average of cooling COPs at four different capacities of machine operation. It corresponds to the APF of a packaged air conditioner. The higher the value, the better the actual energy efficiency of a product.

Electricity Consumption and Energy Consumption Efficiency (residential air conditioners)^*1

*1

Calculated for Daikin 2.8-kW class air conditioners. Under JIS conditions.

*2

For products with prescribed measurements

*3

Measures were based on the JIS C 9612:2005 standard up to fiscal 2012; from fiscal 2013 they are based on JIS C 9612: 2013.

Electricity Consumption and Energy Consumption Efficiency (commercial air conditioners)^*

*

Calculated for Daikin 14.0-kW class air conditioners. Under conditions of the Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association, and the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS).

Developing Energy-Efficient Products

Note:

All products and services below are examples of development for Japan.

Urusara X (R Series) Energy Efficient Residential Air Conditioners

The Urusara X (R Series) of energy efficient residential air conditioners released in October 2021 are residential air conditioners capable of heating and cooling while ventilating. In addition to the existing function of providing air supply, ventilation is added as a new feature that can be switched on according to need. For example, when the indoor temperature is higher than the outdoor temperature in summer, exhaust ventilation is performed, and after the hot air is exhausted, it automatically switches to air supply ventilation. Moreover, we have further enhanced energy saving and comfort with additional features such as the new high-efficiency dehumidifier that applies fine control of the dehumidification level, and Power Select limiting the maximum current.

These products have been awarded the Chairman Prize of Energy Conservation Center, Japan, in the products and business model category of the fiscal 2021 Energy Conservation Grand Prize.

Urusara X

The machi Multi commercial multi-split type air conditioner for private or small rooms

The machi Multi commercial multi-split type air conditioner ideal for private or small rooms in offices or stores launched in October 2021 received the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award, the highest award in the products and business model category at the 2021 Energy Conservation Grand Prize organized by the Energy Conservation Center, Japan (ECCJ).

There is growing demand for private or small rooms in offices and stores amid the worldwide trends of remote work and social distancing. However, conventional commercial air conditioning systems face the issue of increased electricity consumption when operating in spaces 10 m2 or smaller. The machi Multi helps to resolve this issue. The machi Multi’s outdoor unit and 1.6 kW indoor unit with operating controls suited to small rooms reduce electricity consumption by around 50% compared to conventional models. System settings can also be set individually for each small room. At the same time, the machi Multi’s outdoor unit features a more compact design that makes installation easier.

*

Assumed load conditions: 1 small room of 10 m², cooling according to JIS standard conditions, and temperature set to 25 degrees Celsius.

Individual operation image of machi Multi

SkyAir series of air conditioners for shops and offices

The SkyAir series of air conditioners for shops and offices uses R-32 refrigerant with low global warming potential and reduces energy consumption during operation.

In the model change in October 2021, we added the refrigerant leak detection function using IoT. The capability of promptly detecting refrigerant leaks prevents release of refrigerants, which are greenhouse gases, into the atmosphere. In addition, the new model uses new joints which eliminate the need for special processing of the pipe connection, thereby reducing labor during installation.

Multi-Split Type Air Conditioner for Commercial Buildings with Industry-leading Energy Efficiency Performance

The new VRV6, a multi-split type air conditioner for commercial buildings, uses a complete microchannel heat exchanger to achieve high energy efficiency performance. The GREEN Multi-Split released in August 2018, is the first air conditioner for commercial buildings in the industry to adopt R-32 refrigerant with a low global warming potential. This product's global warming potential (GWP) multiplied by refrigerant quantity makes it possible to meet the Kigali Amendment target for 2029. The new model of VRV X released in April 2020 has an improved heat exchange efficiency in the microchannel heat exchanger, making VRV X top of the industry in the field of multi-split type air conditioners for commercial buildings in terms of energy saving performance. (Daikin research as of December 2019.)

In October 2021, we launched a new model of VRV6 to enhance system control linking air conditioning and ventilation. Active Te Control, which uses variable refrigerant temperature while maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature and humidity, reduces annual energy consumption by 7% compared to the existing system. Moreover, the energy-saving operation function capable of reducing energy loss through cooling with outside air with ventilation has reduced annual power consumption of the entire system by 2%. In addition, the model is also equipped with the refrigerant leak detection function using IoT.

Retrofit System Maintenance Service Makes Existing VRV Multi-Split Type Air Conditioners for Commercial Buildings More Energy Efficient

The Retrofit Maintenance Plan that Daikin has come up with is a service that reduces energy consumption from existing multi-split air conditioners for commercial buildings.

The Retrofit System entails replacing parts in the control panel, the air conditioner’s brain, and the compressor, the machine’s heart, and reducing power consumption by 13% a year. The replacement parts used with the system weigh less than one-third those normally used in upgrading VRV multi-split type air conditioners for commercial buildings, thereby it also contributes to saving resources.

Since the start of the service, we have been expanding the service application to include more models. We have added air conditioners featuring cooling-heating-free system, which enables simultaneous cooling and heating operation, on the list for expansion in fiscal 2021. As a result, we have expanded the number of existing units shipped which can utilize the service to 704,000.

Ene Focus α, automatic operating control service provides continuous support for energy conservation through remote monitoring

Released in December 2020, Ene Focus α, is a remote online monitoring service for air conditioners that enables customers to continuously achieve energy conservation in their air conditioner use through automation of energy-saving operation schedule that suits each user and regular suggestions made to improve operations based on the remote monitoring data. The controller and software needed for energy-saving operation are provided as a subscription service, which eliminates the initial start-up cost and installation cost, while continuously achieving energy savings in air conditioner use.

This service received the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy Commissioner's Award in the products and business model category of the fiscal 2021 Energy Conservation Grand Prize.

Adopted R-32 Refrigerant in the 8-10 Horsepower Air-Cooled Small- to Mid-Sized Chillers

Daikin revamped the full model of small-medium air-cooled chillers with 8–30 horsepower, and released new products that use R-32 refrigerant with a low global warming potential in February 2021. Daikin is the first company in the industry to launch products in the same horsepower class using R-32.

In addition to adopting R-32 that have a lower global warming potential (GWP) compared to the conventional R410A refrigerant, we also drastically reduced the amount of refrigerant charge with our all aluminum microchannel heat exchangers, making our products top class in the industry in terms of both environmental and energy performance.

As the first company in Japan to launch air-cooled small- to mid-sized chillers using R-32 which are in high demand in factories, we are contributing to reducing environmental impact and promoting energy conservation through industrial application. This product can be combined with a compact air handling unit to improve ventilation volume, which has a growing need in the central air conditioner market amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Air cooled heat pump chiller 10 horsepower (left), 30 horsepower (right)