Press Release Back Number(2006)

Newly developed desiccant air conditioner offers compact dimensions and dramatically lower operating costs
- New air-conditioning system reheats cooled and dehumidified air -

February 27, 2006
Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.

Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. and Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (President: Toshimasa Iue; head office: 5-5 Keihan-Hondori 2-chome, Moriguchi, Osaka) have jointly developed an electric dehumidifying desiccant air-conditioning system offering compact dimensions and dramatically lower operating costs. This new system is ideal for supermarkets, elderly care facilities, hospitals, and other facilities that require control of humidity levels. Sanyo Electric will launch sales of this new system in April 2006.


Chubu Electric Power previously developed an electric desiccant air conditioner*1 for dehumidification (announced February 2004). Adopted by a number of customers, this air conditioner was well-received in the marketplace, particularly for its capacity to prevent the pooling of cool air leaked from display cases in supermarket aisles, to reduce mold buildup inside buildings, and to reduce frost on frozen foods.


*1 Desiccant: tending to remove moisture; a drying agent


While maintaining the dehumidifying performance of existing electric desiccant air conditioners, the newly developed desiccant air conditioner represents a new energy solution that reduces initial costs, and with its smaller dimensions, permits installation in smaller spaces.


< Primary aspects of the newly developed desiccant air conditioner >

1. Dramatically reduces installation costs

  • • Cuts installation costs to roughly one-half those of existing electric desiccant air conditioners

2. Ease of installation

  • • Reduces the surface area required for installation to approximately one-eighth that required for existing electric desiccant air conditioners
  • • May be installed in the same way as ordinary packaged air-conditioning systems

3. Powerful dehumidification

  • • Provides dehumidifying performance of approximately 24L/h - powerful enough for supermarket use, an application that requires sensitive humidity control
    (Performance levels equivalent to existing electric desiccant air conditioners [suitable for use on retail floors up to 1,000 square meters in area])
  • • Controls the temperature and humidity of discharged air, regardless of air-intake temperature

Field tests of the new air-conditioning system performed at the Aoki Supermarket Otaka branch (opened August 2005) confirm sufficient system performance in various areas, including preventing the buildup of cool air in supermarket aisles and ensuring comfortable humidity levels.


The new air-conditioning system will be exhibited at the 2006 Supermarket Trade Show (the 40th show) to be held at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center Wednesday, March 1 - Friday, March 3.