The world’s coolest controls Daikin

THE WORLD’S COOLEST CONTROLS

Daikin is a global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced refrigeration and air-conditioning products. Philip Yorke takes a closer look at Daikin Europe’s latest on-line controller and other groundbreaking new products.

Daikin Europe NV is based in Belgium and is the sales and manufacturing headquarters responsible for the production, marketing and distribution of air-conditioners in the EMEA countries. The company was founded in Ostend in 1973 and today operates the most advanced air-conditioning plant in Europe covering more than 150,000 square metres. This extensive, modern facility produces equipment for markets as diverse as Norway and South Africa. The recent addition of two new European production facilities in the Czech Republic has added production capacity and optimised lead times for its markets worldwide. The company also has a number of wholly-owned affiliates in Spain, Germany, France, Belgium Portugal, Greece, Italy, Poland and South Africa, as well as in Sweden, the UK and the Netherlands.

Advanced super-efficient systems

Daikin Europe offers a unique range of advanced super-efficient air conditioning and refrigeration products and systems for commercial, residential and industrial applications. These products include split air conditioners, heat recovery units, sky air units, air and water cooled chillers as well as state-of-the-art VRV systems and packaged units. In addition, Daikin produces a range of home-heating units, air purifiers and a complete suite of userfriendly, air-conditioning management and monitoring control systems. All of these systems guarantee that optimal energy efficiency is achieved throughout the long operational life of the product, a philosophy central to Daikin Europe’s mission which is underpinned by a continuous programme of research.

Diakin has pioneered heat recovery technology for many years and by combining its new REYAQ-P VRVIII model with an HXHD hydrobox it has produced the world’s most efficient in its class, whilst at the same time significantly extending the advantages of the heat recovery process. The resulting free, recovered heat can also be used to produce hot water to satisfy the demand for domestic hot water and the provision of heating to radiators and under-floor elements. The company’s innovative ‘hydrobox system’ includes all the connections, pumps, filters and valves to connect to any water circuit. Furthermore, intelligent control of the water temperature eliminates the need for a mixing valve by producing the exact water temperature whenever it is required.

Daikin places a high priority on maintaining its global reputation for quality and reliability. As a result, quality is implicit throughout its product supply chain and all units are rigorously tested as part of the company’s determination to avoid any possible equipment failure in the field. Compliance with ISO 9001 and EUROVENT product test requirements are supported by 24-hour monitoring under simulated field conditions, which in turn is underpinned by the full, technical backing of the company’s Japanese parent company: Daikin Industries Ltd. It is worth noting that Daikin is the only air-conditioning manufacturer in the world that produces both its own compressors, and refrigerants.

New technology brings new benefits

Recently Daikin Europe announced the launch of its latest online controller, which sets new standards in remote control technology. The company released the high-tech

device with the slogan, ‘Always in control no matter where you are’. This latest control solution is available to suit a wide range of Daikin split units and allows the operator to control heat pump systems from anywhere in the world via a laptop, tablet or smart-phone that has internet access.

By simply entering the URL or running an app on a supported device, full access is gained to the system’s main functions. This new online controller is fully compatible with selected Daikin split systems such as Daikin Emura and Nexura as well as with other wall mounted, floor standing and ducted systems in the company’s split range.

Another ‘first’ from Daikin is its new ‘streamer technology’ air purifier. This portable unit is designed to decompose allergens and other harmful bacteria and to release the ‘purified air’ back into circulation, thereby enhancing the health aspects of the environment. Traditional air purifiers based on the simple filter system are often insufficient to meet the high expectations and demands of their users. To address this issue, Daikin undertook research into the problem which resulted in the complete re-engineering of Daikin Streamer Technology. Today, instead of a simple filter, a multi-layer system is employed with six independent elements designed to capture, remove and decompose not just allergens, but also dust particles, odours, pet hairs, moulds, pollens and mites, which results in a far higher degree of air purification all round.

Increasing focus on sustainability

Daikin’s commitment to energy conservation and sustainability is matched only by its ongoing dedication to innovation and quality. The company is a global leader in its field concerning energy conservation and often pre-empts international and local legislation in these areas. In 1988 Daikin became the first European air-conditioning manufacturer to achieve ISO 14001 certification and all its affiliate companies are expected to meet these stringent requirements within the next few years.

Geert Opdedrynck, assistant director of Daikin Industries Czech Republic (DICZ) said, “Environmental issues are high on our agenda. DICZ has had the ISO 14001 certification since 2006 as well as holding a number of other environmental accreditations. As a company we are at the forefront in applying all the many environmental regulations, even before they become a legal requirement. For example, our complete range of products was fully compliant six months before the EU’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) came into force.”

Daikin confirmed that it will continue to make significant investments in energy conservation and has endorsed a managed programme of sustainability to achieve optimal environmental outcomes throughout its manufacturing processes. n