Japanese joint venture Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning (JCH) has developed an HVAC system that uses NFC technology so installers can configure the equipment, customise the settings and conduct troubleshooting on a smartphone.

The Air365 Max is a top flow variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air conditioning system, and is available in Malaysia. It is an end-to-end system developed by JCH to deliver seamless comfort, energy efficiency, and easily workable features for professionals, architects and building owners.

Featuring Hitachi’s original SmoothDrive 2.0 technology, it produces an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of up to 5.5. This helps reduce running costs during part-load operations, leading to reduced CO₂ emissions. In addition, it requires 12% less refrigerant compared with the conventional Hitachi VRF air cooling system.

EER is the ratio of cooling capacity to power input. The higher the EER rating, the more efficient the air conditioner.

Powered by SmoothDrive 2.0 technology, Air365 Max operates a wider temperature range, which provides greater seamless comfort for building occupants, and addresses issues such as unstable temperatures, cold or hot air drafts, and seasonal room temperature changes.

As SmoothDrive 2.0 allows for precise temperature monitoring, users can now expect constant regulated indoor temperatures to improve their comfort level.

“The Air365 Max is for the Malaysian HVAC market, which demands room air conditioners, including split type air conditioners as well as commercial air conditioners with energy saving and innovative features to enhance the indoor air quality,” said Kintaro Izumida, JCH vice president. “We are ready to invest in Malaysia and the south-east Asia markets to develop more energy efficient products.”

It uses the AirCloud Tap app, which was launched this year to make it easier for HVAC professionals to service and install Hitachi equipment. Thanks to contactless near-field communication (NFC) technology, they can configure the equipment, customise the settings and conduct troubleshooting on a smartphone.

To increase the operation of Air365 Max, JCH also offers a colour wired remote controller that is intuitive to use with modern pictograms and diagrams. Also available is AirCloud Pro, a cloud-based centralised controller that lets HVAC professionals and building managers monitor and control the VRF system on a smartphone.

JCH is an air conditioning manufacturer established in October 2015 as a joint venture between Johnson Controls and Hitachi Appliances. Approximately 15,000 employees offer residential and commercial products and services.

www.hitachiaircon.com