[Products for Japanese market only]
Only for reference. This press release is for Japan market only.

In the end of October, Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning (CEO: Franz Cerwinka) will release eleven models of the “Stainless Clean Shirokuma-kun” Premium X Series air conditioning system, which are the first-ever units in Japan (*1) equipped with “Frost Wash” technology for automatically cleaning the heat exchanger inside the unit by washing away the dirt, mold and grease that adheres to the exchanger, causing odors, by automatically freezing the exchanger and then rapidly melting the frozen layer which is formed.

The new “Frost Wash” technology for automatically cleaning the heat exchanger regularly performs cleaning of the exchanger (*2), which is difficult to clean by hand, throughout the year, ensuring that the inside of the unit remains clean, producing a hygienic breeze. This new mechanism cleans even stubborn grease that could not been washed away using the previous designs, in which the heat exchanger was covered with a coating (*3) which was then cleaned using the water condensing inside the unit when cooling or dehumidifying.

In addition, the units also make use of the Kurashi Camera AI technology (*4), which can detect the room environment and the location of people in a room, in order to predict the degree of contamination inside the air conditioning unit and smartly control the cleaning frequency. The unit also executes the automatic cleaning procedure at times when no one is in the room.

The new series of air conditioners will continue to use the “Stainless Clean System” developed exclusively by Hitachi, which makes use of stainless steel in order to achieve anti-bacterial (*5) benefits, while also incorporating a new stainless steel reservoir attached to the wastewater channels that collect the wastewater be used in the “Frost Wash” process as well as other wastewater.

When the unit is used for heating, at the start of operation, it begins by warming the feet of the people in the room, and once the room has warmed up, it switches to a “Wraparound Heating” mode that uses six flaps to guide the airflow from around the people in the room, so they can be warmed without feeling the breeze.

* This technology does not remove 100% of all dirt, mold and other contamination.
(*1) Data from a company survey. The models are scheduled for launch at the end of October 2017. “First in Japan” refers to the use of technology for freezing and then cleaning heat exchangers in the indoor units of domestic household air conditioners.
(*2) Frost Wash may not operate under some environments.
(*3) The coating is used on the company’s previous X Series models launched (2016)
(*4) AI is an abbreviation of Artificial Intelligence.
(*5) The system does not disinfect the airflow from the unit.For further details, see page 6⁽*⁵⁾.

■ Characteristics of the New Product
Room Air Conditioner “Stainless Clean Shirokuma-kun” Premium X Series
1. Incorporates “Frost Wash” technology for cleaning the heat exchanger through a process of freezing and then rapidly thawing to wash away dust and mold.
2. Uses the “Stainless Clean System” and “Stainless Reservoir” in order to keep the inside of the air conditioner clean and hygienic
3. Includes “Wraparound Heating” technology that prevents room occupants from feeling the breeze

■ Models and launch dates

■ Demand and background of development

According to our user surveys, there were complaints regarding contamination from dirt inside the air conditioning unit, particularly with regard to the heat exchanger, which is difficult to clean by hand. We are also aware that once the dust, grease and other contaminants, which may also cause odors, adhere to the heat exchanger, it compromises the performance of the air conditioner and results in inefficient spending of electricity.

To address these issues, the new air conditioners have been equipped with a “Frost Wash” function, which automatically cleans the heat exchanger by automatically freezing and then rapidly thawing the ice in order to wash away the dust, mold, grease and other contaminants that may adhere to the exchanger and cause smells. In addition, the units also make use of the Kurashi Camera AI technology, which can detect the room environment and the location of people in a room, in order to predict the degree of contamination inside the air conditioning unit and smartly control the cleaning frequency. The unit also executes the automatic cleaning procedure at times when no one is in the room.

■ Customer inquiries

Customer Center
TEL: 0120-3121-11(toll free) *When calling from mobile phones or PHS, call 050-3155-1111
(toll applies)
Open: 9：00-17：30(Mon.-Sat.), 9：00-17：00 (Sun., public holidays)
* Excluding year-end and New Year period
 

■ Hitachi Room Air Conditioning system website

http://kadenfan.hitachi.co.jp/ra/

Information in this press release (including information concerning product prices, product specifications, service details, launch dates, contact details, website addresses and other information) is correct at the time of publication. As this information may change without warning, please understand that the information in this release may not apply if the release is referred to at a later date.