Press Release Back Number(2004)

Launch of high-efficiency Eco-Ice system
- On average, energy efficiency for cooling is increased by 24% and operating costs are reduced by 16% compared with previous models -

July 26, 2004
Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.
Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc.
Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
Daikin Industries, Ltd.
Toshiba Carrier Corporation
Hitachi Air Conditioning Systems Co., Ltd.
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc., Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc., and Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc., in partnership with manufacturers such as Daikin Industries, Ltd., Toshiba Carrier Corporation, Hitachi Air Conditioning Systems Co., Ltd., and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation have developed a high-efficiency Eco-Ice system with significantly greater energy-saving capacity and lower operating costs than previous models. This product, which is targeted at small- to medium-sized buildings and shops, will be available from the manufacturers listed above beginning in October 2004.

Eco-Ice is a thermal storage air conditioning system that uses less costly nighttime power rates to make ice and store it in a heat storage tank for use during the day. The Eco-Ice system was developed in response to demand from our customers for appliances that are less costly to run and more environmentally friendly. The following technological developments have contributed to the improvements in efficiency.

  • * The use of hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant R410A, which has zero ozone-depletion potential and contributes to the improvement of efficiency
  • * The use of a high-efficiency compressor and outdoor fan, together with improvements in the performance of the outdoor heat exchanger and storage heat exchanger

The features of this newly developed Eco-Ice system include:

1. Lower operating costs

This Eco-Ice system cuts annual operating costs by 16% (average for the systems produced by the four listed manufacturers) compared to previous models (20-hp*1 units).

2. Friendly to the global environment

Eco-Ice systems produced by the four manufacturers listed above have cooling energy efficiencies (daily regenerative cooling efficiencies*2) of 3.24 to 3.75, which is on average 24% higher than previous models (20-hp units). This results in an 18% reduction in annual carbon dioxide emissions*3 (average for the systems produced by the four listed manufacturers), compared to previous models (20-hp units).

3. Reduction of nighttime noise

Improvement of fan controls during regenerative operations has made possible a noise reduction*4 of 50 dB (A) from the previous models produced by the four listed manufacturers, which had average noise levels of 55 dB (A) (20-hp units).

  • *1 One hp is equivalent to 2.8 kW, the cooling capacity of an air conditioning unit for an approximately 13 to 20 m2 room.
  • *2 Daily regenerative cooling efficiency: Figure obtained by dividing the integrated value for air conditioning capacity by electricity consumption (during thermal storage and air conditioning). The higher the figure, the more energy efficient the appliance.
  • *3 CO2 emission rate is calculated based on the amount of CO2 emissions per kWh of electricity sales by electric power companies.
  • *4 Systems produced by certain manufacturers operate in silent mode to achieve this noise reduction.