Today's air conditioning units have never been more lightweight and compact in design.
The latest products for Australia's residential property market are not only sleek and stylish they boast ample capacity to meet the demands of both residential and light-commercial applications.
Moreover, they have been specifically designed to meet the increasing demand for high rise apartments in Australia's capital cities.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) two thirds of the population now live in capital cities and this ratio will skew more urban in coming generations.
ABS figures show that by 2030 the most common family type will be childless couples and single person households. It's a distinct shift away from much larger families and the old quarter acre block.
The high rise apartment trend has shaped the release of products which showcase both performance and a high degree of design flexibility. Put simply, today's units need to make good use of limited space.
This is where companies like Daikin are really making a difference by releasing products compact enough to fit in the bulkhead above built-in wardrobes and cupboards.
Daikin's National VRV manager Simon Langstaff, said the company's bulkhead indoor units have a depth of 450mm and height of 200mm, making them ideal for drop ceilings and wardrobes.
“There is a lot of pressure to reduce the floor by floor building height while maintaining the ceiling heights in today's high rise apartments which is why we released the compact FXDQ unit,” he said.
“These units are compact enough to fit above the wardrobe and still allow for plenty of air flow.”
At the same time, Langstaff said the VRV-IVS range feature long pipe lengths up to 120m enabling flexible condenser placement on rooftops and plant rooms to avoid using balconies and compromising the appearance of the apartment facade. He said the Daikin VRV IV S series can now connect up to 14 indoor units.
“Our VRV IV S series is not only compact and lightweight, it has an extended range of outdoor units from 9kW to 24kW," Langstaff said.
In addition to design flexibility and local manufacturing support, he said today's buyers are also keenly aware of green credentials.
“Energy efficiency and a small environmental footprint are also important to customers," he said.
“The VRV IV series provides greater efficiency compared to its predecessors with a 12 per cent increase in COP in the 16kW class.”
Green Building Council of Australia CEO, Romilly Madew, said leadership in sustainability is transforming the shape of Australia's cities.
“Sustainable design puts a premium dollar value on your property,” she said.
Langstaff added that another advantage Daikin has over its competitors is that it can design and manufacture its residential ducted range right here in Australia.
“One of the key differentiators that sets Daikin apart is that we can design products to meet the specific requirements of the market," he said.