AS A WORLD leader in air conditioning, Daikin showcased at this year’s ARBS Exhibition a complete range of solutions for both commercial and domestic applications. “Daikin has worked hard to ensure a broad range of products meet market needs.
This includes ranges of split and ducted systems, through to our commercial systems; VRV, air handling units, and chillers” stated Dan Tosh, National Marketing Manager for Daikin Australia. “Our focus on product evolution ensures that whatever the application, an air conditioning solution can be found with Daikin.”
On a two-level stand, Daikin showcased its broad range of products including a display that replicated the domestic
environment giving visitors the ability to experience how products would work in the home.
“The purpose of this display is to emulate a domestic environment,” Tosh said. “On the upper level, we are showcasing elements of apartment living applications with our compact VRV IV-S outdoor units in a double stacked configuration and our compact FDXS bulkhead indoor unit perfect for installing above wardrobes as featured in our display” Tosh said, “We have seen approvals for apartment builds increase exponentially and we are pleased to see that the design and features of the VRV IV-S range are providing increased design flexibility.”
The Nexura floor-mounted air conditioner has attracted some real attention, being the only air conditioner on the market to have an integrated radiant heating panel. “Nexura’s unique radiant heat feature makes it the perfect choice for winter, with the efficiency of heat pump technology combined with the cozy feeling that people really love about radiant heat” Tosh explained, “Nexura has been received extremely well in the cooler markets such as Victoria and Tasmania and also in New Zealand, where the sales have been really strong. It’s a very unique proposition for Daikin.”
Meanwhile, Daikin’s split system and air purifier products are also market leaders and are endorsed by the Asthma Council’s
Sensitive Choice Program. “We’re the only air conditioning brand to be recognised by the Sensitive Choice program” Tosh said. “The technology in these products sees impurities removed from the air and an overall improvement in indoor air quality, so they are great for asthma and allergy sufferers.”
Also on show was a range of standard and premium ducted systems, with some models giving an ability to replace old ducted systems running on R22 more easily. “You can actually replace an old R22 ducted system with our new premium inverted ducted system and actually reuse the old pipework which is perfect for two-storey home applications where access to pipe work is an issue.” Tosh explained, “We also have practical information available that provides installers with information on what is required to easily undertake such installations”
Energy efficiency and the environmental credentials are a critical element of Daikin’s business. The company’s US7 split system still sets the benchmark for the industry. “For us, we were the first and still the only brand to have a 7 Star energy rated split system,” Tosh said, “This flagship model also has humidification and dehumidification functionality and is still the leading standard of the industry.”
Daikin also emphasised its service solutions, which Tosh believes set the benchmark for the industry. “We continue to substantially invest in our service department. In fact, we employ more people in our service department than in sales which exemplifies our commitment to after-sales service” Tosh said. “For us, this is fundamental to our value proposition and in being a reliable partner of the industry, especially with regard to commercial projects”.
Daikin also offers online support via its ‘E-Tools’ app to supplement its call-centre service, which already has over 3,500
subscribers nationwide. “It’s an app that provides access to all our product information, troubleshooting, error code information” Tosh said. “We’re looking to bolster that with the addition of some video content as well. The digital environment provides fantastic opportunities to engage with our customers and provide them with support in ways that are dynamic and meet the needs of the market."
The company’s championing of next-generation refrigerants, which it also manufactures, is also part of Daikin’s sustainability story. The company pioneered the use of R32 in air conditioning systems in its R&D labs in Japan, which sees a 66% reduction in the global warming potential factor from R410A.
“We were actually the first air conditioning company to appropriate the use of R32 into air conditioning equipment. We had patented the designs and technologies, but decided to release these patents freely to the industry to encourage a broad adoption of R32 for the betterment of the environment and the industry,” Tosh explains, “We can see that other brands have taken the step of introducing product ranges that utilise R32 and now it has become more mainstream."
Daikin is also alive to the future of connected homes. Whilst they currently have smartphone control options for their split system and ducted system ranges, the company is really looking at the bigger picture. “This is definitely a hot topic,”
Tosh said. “In general, for connected devices and the smart home environment, this is something that Daikin is committed to on a large scale which is outlined in our global five year plan.
The question for us is how to best integrate with the smart home environment considering the number of players developing
platforms such as Google and Home Kit with Apple, there’s so many players out there“.
For more information on Daikin’s industry-leading range of products, visit www.daikin.com.au.