Daikin - Experts & Thought Leaders

Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc. (Daikin), a global pioneer in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) manufacturing, has advanced to the final stage of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Technology Challenge. This milestone follows the successful completion of multiple field tests, underscoring Daikin's commitment to product innovation in energy-efficient electric heating solutions.  Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump DOE's Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge aims to foster collaboration among manufacturers, utilities Launched in 2021, the DOE's Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge aims to foster collaboration among manufacturers, utilities, and other stakeholders to develop next-generation heat pump technology capable of delivering reliable and energy-efficient heating in extreme winter conditions. The goal of this challenge aligns with Daikin’s commitment to providing high-performance low Global Warming Potential (GWP) R-32 inverter heat pump solutions to every climate one in the U.S. and Canada.  decarbonization goals "Daikin is thrilled to continue to the final phase of the DOE's Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge. Our collaboration with the DOE underscores our mission to accelerate decarbonization goals across the U.S. and Canada with innovative, energy-efficient inverter heat pump technology," said Takayuki Inoue, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Daikin. Takayuki Inoue adds, "This challenge plays a critical role in raising public awareness that will drive the adoption of advanced heating solutions, and we are eager to see the positive impacts unfold in the years to come." Commitment to develop sustainable technologies Reflecting its commitment to developing sustainable technologies, Daikin will continue to collaborate with the DOE and key stakeholders to strive for the successful completion of this challenge. 

Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc. (Daikin) announces the creation and launch of Daikin Comfort Technologies Northeast, Inc. (Daikin Northeast). Daikin Northeast will unify ABCO HVAC/R Supply + Solutions, Universal Supply Group, and Robinson Supply Co. into one cohesive organization.   HVAC/R product and solutions The formation of a unified team of regional distributors represents a pivotal step in Daikin’s mission to further strengthen its HVAC/R product and solutions leadership in the Northeast. It also reflects Daikin’s commitment to become the number one HVAC/R product and solutions provider in North America.  modern HVAC technologies Daikin Northeast is a pioneering distributor of a broad range of HVAC products from residential to commercial As members of the Daikin Group, both Daikin Northeast and Daikin Applied New York (DANY) provide a dynamic foothold for Daikin in the Northeast where DANY is the pioneering applied solutions provider within the commercial and applied HVAC marketplace, and Daikin Northeast is a pioneering distributor of a broad range of HVAC products from residential to commercial.  Takayuki Inoue, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Daikin, stated, “Daikin Northeast represents a collaboration between manufacturer and distributor that is critically important as dealers and end users navigate the complexities of modern HVAC technologies.”   enhanced efficiency “This unified Daikin team,” Mr. Inoue explained, “will offer one of the industry’s most comprehensive product lines and deliver enhanced efficiency, superior product technology, and excellent customer service." "Daikin’s innovative inverter-based heat pump technology, currently introducing the low Global Warming Potential (GWP) R-32 refrigerants, will be readily available throughout the region.”   combined talents, resources As a cohesive unit, Daikin Northeast will strive to exceed its customers' expectations As a cohesive unit, Daikin Northeast will strive to exceed its customers' expectations by leveraging the combined talents, resources, and industry expertise of the team members of ABCO, Universal Supply, and Robinson Supply.   Michael Senter, the President of Daikin Northeast, stated, “This is a moment in time that will transform the HVAC industry as we know it in the Northeast United States." innovation, collaboration, and success "Each company is bringing a unique set of talents to achieve a common goal: being the best commercial and residential solutions provider for all of the HVAC professionals we have the privilege to serve. We are committed to creating a team environment where innovation, collaboration, and success are the norms.”   Daikin Northeast will include 39 branch locations in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. headquarters Daikin Northeast will offer customers Daikin, Amana® brand, and Goodman equipment, controls, and parts as well as refrigeration, plumbing, and hydronics equipment, supplies, and accessories from pioneering manufacturers.  Daikin Northeast will be headquartered in Long Island City, NY. 

Airzone Control, the provider of intelligent and innovative HVAC control solutions, announces an integration partnership with building intelligence software provider Bodhi. This new partnership will allow the cloud-based Bodhi building operating platform to monitor and control Inverter (VRF/mini-split) HVAC units, simplifying property operations management and supporting superior guest and tenant experiences. Building operating platform Bodhi bridges the gap between property management and technology systems for hospitality venues, MDUs, and commercial buildings. This platform integrates with property management software, sensors, and technology subsystems including lighting, shading, AV, and HVAC. Via Bodhi, property managers can schedule automation, access usage analytics, and reporting platforms, view alerts, manage trouble tickets, and more. Bodhi also powers a web-based guest app that can be used to do everything from unlocking doors and adjusting the temperature to requesting housekeeping and ordering room service. bi-directional communication The Airzone/Bodhi integration leverages the flagship Airzone Aidoo Pro control solution to connect the Inverter Airzone enables bi-directional communication between HVAC systems and IoT ecosystems like Bodhi using an exclusive library of manufacturer protocols from Daikin, Mitsubishi, Samsung, and more. The Airzone/Bodhi integration leverages the flagship Airzone Aidoo Pro control solution to connect Inverter (VRF/mini-split) units to the Bodhi platform.  Aidoo Pro Aidoo Pro is an affordable, easy-to-install system add-on: An Aidoo Pro is directly connected to each Inverter unit and integrates with Bodhi via a local API. In the future, Bodhi will also offer hardwired Modbus integration between Aidoo Pro and the Bodhi thermostat. Superior Insights and Control The Airzone Aidoo Pro delivers in-depth error code reporting, supplying the Bodhi platform with detailed information for fast error detection and resolution. “The 1:1 Aidoo Pro system design, where each HVAC unit has its control device, helps us deliver simplified property operations management with minimal downtime,” says Rock Scofield, co-founder of Bodhi. “Management has instant, granular insight into which spaces and guests are affected by any HVAC system issues. The distributed system design also ensures that device outages have the minimum possible impact.” Improved Efficiency and Lower Costs Bodhi can automatically begin adjusting a room’s temperature to a comfortable setting upon check-in The Airzone/Bodhi integration uses Bodhi’s sophisticated guest presence detection (GPD) logic to automate the HVAC system setpoint and maximize building efficiency. Properties can reduce their carbon footprint and energy costs while enhancing occupant comfort by establishing different temperature set points for occupied and unoccupied spaces. Using a variety of sensors and service integrations, Bodhi can automatically begin adjusting a room’s temperature to a comfortable setting upon check-in, before guests arrive at their room, or, put the HVAC system in “eco” mode when a guest is away. HVAC efficiency “This partnership with Bodhi will lead to dramatically improved HVAC efficiency for hospitality, MDU, and commercial properties across North America,” says Antonio Mediato, CEO of Airzone. “Operators will no longer have to choose between deploying the most efficient HVAC units and the most sophisticated property operations management. With Airzone and Bodhi, they can have both.”

AHR Expo 2024 was abuzz with activity, befitting a dynamic industry in the throes of change.  Industry developments such as electrification and the refrigerant transition render business opportunities on the AHR Expo show floor, where exhibitors display a determination to meet the challenges and thrive in the process. Walking from booth to booth during the three-day show in Chicago, I saw the best the HVAC industry has to offer, up close and personal. Innovation and adaptability are the watchwords as the industry journeys into 2024 and beyond. Refrigerant Transition Top of Mind  Patented R-454B refrigerant enables a simpler transition without redesigning equipment The technology transition is well underway for OEMs seeking to meet a pending AIM Act deadline at the end of the year. OEMs are choosing to embrace either R-32 or R454-B refrigerant to replace legacy R-410A, which is being phased out. Patented R-454B refrigerant enables a simpler transition without redesigning equipment, while R-32 offers advantages such as higher capacity, higher efficiency, and easier cradle-to-cradle management. Arkema Arkema is the only producer of R-32 refrigerant in the United States. The newer refrigerant is being embraced as HVAC OEMs seek to meet the deadline of Jan. 1, 2025, to use lower-GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants in their products. The technology transition is just part of the AIM Act implementation that will also limit allocation and require refrigerant management. Chemours Chemours is a manufacturer of R-454A, R-454B, and R-454C refrigerants. At AHR, they presented hourly education sessions on a variety of subjects. The refrigerant transition will impact everyone in the industry, including refrigerant producers, equipment manufacturers, contractors, and end users. R-454B refrigerant provides identical performance in HVAC systems compared to the previous refrigerant (R-410A). There is less need to redesign equipment; just adding sensors for leak mitigation can address the mild flammability of A2L refrigerants. Because of the 2025 deadline, 2024 will be the “year of new products” in the HVAC market. OEMs pioneering Innovation  Carrier and others are offering smaller footprints, seeking to meet environmental targets Innovation in the HVAC market is led by companies such as Carrier, which has introduced 100 new products each year for the past eight years. Carrier and others are offering smaller footprints, seeking to meet environmental targets, and providing flexibility for customers. New products include the AquaSnap 30RC air-cooled chiller and the AquaEdge 19MV chiller with low GWP refrigerant to meet pending regulatory requirements.  Copeland Copeland, recently divested from Emerson, also emphasizes innovation, including 12 research and development (R&D) facilities, 1,700 engineers, and more than 3,000 patents. At a press conference at AHR Expo, the 100-year-old company announced it is a “new” company owned by Blackstone Private Equity.  Products featured Among the featured products at AHR are Copeland’s oil-free centrifugal compressor with Aero-lift bearing technology; and Copeland’s CC200 case controller, specifically designed to handle the unique challenges of the current retail grocery refrigeration environments. Copeland also pledges to play a role in educating the market about new trends and the transition to new refrigerants.  Emphasizing a Smaller Footprint  Trailblazer AGZ-F is an R-32 air-cooled scroll chiller that delivers 10% greater capacity and efficiency Daikin Daikin highlights the Atmosphera, a single-zone ductless split system (using R-32) that can reduce carbon emissions by 80% (compared to R-410A). Also, Trailblazer AGZ-F is an R-32 air-cooled scroll chiller that delivers 10% greater capacity and efficiency. Products emphasize a smaller footprint and less weight than their predecessors. Rebel Applied is a packaged rooftop unit that continually adjusts operation to address the building load, consuming less energy. Trailblazer HP is an air-to-water heat pump chiller with a reversing function that allows the product to switch between cooling and heating based on temperature requirements.  Friedrich Air Conditioning Friedrich Air Conditioning features the Breeze universally flexible inverter heat pump, a ducted mini-split for upgrading traditional equipment. It works with any furnace or air handler, has side discharge, is 40% smaller, and is cold weather capable to minus 13. Friedrich's new Vert-I-Pak is a line of M1-compliant single package Vertical Heat Pumps (available in 9K, 12K, 18K, and 24K Btu), supporting decarbonization efforts with heat pump operation down to 10°F. High Efficiency for Commercial and Residential Johnson Controls Johnson Controls exhibits their highly efficient residential and commercial HVAC solutions designed for Department of Energy (DOE) 2023 compliance and helping customers achieve Net Zero goals through decarbonization. On display was the York High-Efficiency 18 SEER2 Side-Discharge Heat Pump with up to 30% smaller footprint than vertical-discharge equipment. Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning's Aircore 700 single split system is aimed at light commercial and residential. Midea Their 3-ton model achieved 118% of rated capacity heating output at minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit Midea, known for selling consumer products, has kept a low profile in the professional sector, selling products that are either OEMed for Carrier or private-labeled by a contractor company. Seeking to promote the Midea brand, the Chinese company is staking its claim on the trade market with an emphasis on performance: The company exceeded performance in the Department of Energy’s “ColdClimate Heat Pump Challenge:” Their 3-ton model achieved 118% of rated capacity heating output at minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat pump awareness Results of a survey conducted by Midea show that more than half of homeowners are not fully aware of heat pumps and their function. Awareness lags among contractors, too: 70% of contractors indicate they do not know that the current’s advanced heat pumps can generate 100% heat output to a minimum temperature of minus 4 F. Wide Selection of New Products Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US emphasizes all-electric heat pump solutions. The Deluxe Wall-mounted H2i sumo System connects with an outdoor unit, and the intelli-HEAT dual fuel system can determine the best source of heat – electric or gas – on cold days. Among commercial products, Heat2OHeat Pump Water Heaters are designed to produce high-volume domestic hot water for commercial facilities in any climate. LG Electronics LG Electronics’ booth includes a wide product range, including advanced heating, ventilating, air conditioning LG Electronics’ booth includes a wide product range, including advanced heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and building management solutions for residential and commercial applications. Home electrification products include the LG R32 Air-to-Water Heat Pump Monobloc system; the LG Inverter Heat Pump Water Heater the LG Electronics Home 8 Energy Storage System, and ThinQ, LG’s mobile app. LG Art Cool Gallery multi-zone wall-mount indoor unit The LG Art Cool Gallery multi-zone wall-mount indoor unit features a customizable picture frame that doubles as a cooling and heating vent. Also, LG’s Medium and High-Temperature Hydro Kit Systems use a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger to produce chilled or heated water. LG’s Split Compact M3 DOAS with Multi V S is suited to light commercial use where single-phase power is available and as an HVAC solution for outdoor air treatment. Easier Access for Technicians  Rheem Manufacturing New equipment at the Rheem Manufacturing booth at AHR Expo includes true multi-zone operation, smaller footprints, lighter weights, and components that are positioned for easy access by technicians. An LED in the control cabinet displays a fault code that identifies the problem to service technicians. The Resolute and Renaissance lines are commercially packaged heat pump units. The company is emphasizing the transition from R-410A to R-454B refrigerant by the end of 2024. Aeroseal Whether a new install or a retrofit, the product saves energy, saves money, and keeps customers compliant Aeroseal seals ducts by spraying a vinyl acetate polymer substance to increase HVAC efficiency. Whether a new install or a retrofit, the product saves energy, saves money, and keeps customers compliant, and a 30% tax deduction is available through the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).  Airzone Airzone is a Spanish company that controls inverters and VRFs (variable refrigerant flow units). Their communication gateway controller incorporates protocols from various manufacturers, and the Easyzone is an easy-to-install zoning system.  Infinitum Infinitum manufactures a motor system that leverages a printed circuit board as a stator, making the motor system lighter weight and also smaller, quieter, and more efficient. The Aircore EC uses a standard printed circuit board manufacturing process to eliminate bearings. The component is used in blowers by OEMs Lau, Acme, Canarm, and Peerless, whose products are displayed at the booth.  Bell & Gossett Bell & Gossett debuts its line of smart, connected products designed to improve sustainability Bell & Gossett, a Xylem brand, debuts its line of smart, connected products designed to improve the sustainability of commercial buildings and reduce complexity in the design process. Combining pumps and smart motors are the e-1510 end-suction pump, e-80 vertical in-line pump, and TECHNOFORCE e-HV packaged booster system.  NIBCO Simplifying the job of an HVAC installer is the PressACR copper press connection system from NIBCO, which connects copper pipes without brazing, which involves soldering and high temperatures, thus a fire hazard. The patent-pending groove design and crimp pattern support the higher-pressure requirement of an HVACR system. Pipes are pressed together using PressACR jaws and adapter jaws in a variety of sizes. NIBCO also displayed its Webstone brand of residential and commercial valves.  Control Products Provide Data  Resideo Resideo displayed home system products, including the Honeywell Home T10+ thermostat with RedLINK 3.0; sensors enable temperature balancing for hot and cold spots. Pro-IQ Services provides software tools designed for the connected home, including insights on heating, cooling, water, and indoor air quality devices to help contractors track customers. Professional-grade water damage prevention, the First Alert L2 WiFi Water Sensor and Switch provide alarms if there is a water leak.  Schneider Electric The EcoStruxure Building Operation system is open system software for building and facility management Schneider Electric seeks to be “digital partners for our customers,” working with Fortune 500 companies seeking to achieve ESG (environment, social and corporate governance) goals. They help customers establish where they are currently vis-à-vis their goals and then deploy science-based key performance indicators (KPIs) to direct them to where they want to be. The EcoStruxure Building Operation system is open system software for building and facility management, including two products for the small and medium building (SMB) market. Energy measurement Schneider measures energy usage through power meters, indoor air quality, and energy spent to achieve efficiency, compiling data according to what the customer wants to achieve. They sell through a national sales team, direct branch business (20 branches), and 200 system integrators (EcoXperts). Their customers include QSR (quick-service restaurant chains) that control climate centrally with data compiled in the cloud.  Siemens Siemens displays solutions for smart, adaptable buildings for a sustainable tomorrow, including the Building X system and the Sustainability Manager application, providing an understanding of a building’s performance and tracking it against sustainability and compliance targets. The Building X Lifecycle Twin tracks operational building performance via a “digital twin,” providing an augmented reality (AR) headset through which one can view equipment with information superimposed on the screen. Uponor  Uponor seeks to leverage the capital cost of heating systems to deliver heating and hot water. They make pipes and connectors and other technologies, including the AuqaPort, which improves water quality and energy savings in domestic hot water (DHW) applications. They seek to future-proof buildings by combining energy efficiency and comfort. Water recirculates and provides hot water on demand using 40% less piping. A “radiant roll-out mat” is preconfigured piping that can be rolled out to simplify installation. 

Businesses in the HVAC market were high-profile participants at the COP28 conference in Dubai. Several big HVAC companies had a presence at the conference, and the industry’s technologies are an important tool to achieve the conference’s stated climate goal of net-zero global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. COP28 The Conference of Parties of the United National Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) took place Nov. 30-Dec. 12 in Dubai. Some 35,000 people were involved in negotiating the next stage of strategies to address the climate crisis. Attendees included pioneers from international organizations, national and local governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and pioneering companies. About 15% of attendees at COP28 represented various business and industry sectors. Global Cooling Pledge They pledge to pursue the goals through better energy efficiency, a climate-friendly approach An outcome of the conference is the “Global Cooling Pledge,” intended to increase efforts and cooperation through joint targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to cooling. The pledge is a series of commitments by governments to accelerate emission reductions from energy use and refrigerants toward near-zero emissions. They pledge to pursue the goals through better energy efficiency, a climate-friendly approach, and expanding access to sustainable air conditioning.  Decarbonization “Decarbonization of the buildings sector is an imperative for meeting global climate targets,” commented Katie McGinty, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer of Johnson Controls. “The technology exists to make near-zero emissions and climate-resilient buildings the new normal by 2030.”  net-zero building technologies Working together, pioneers across civil society and the private sector can rapidly deploy these climate solutions" Johnson Controls is committed to helping to drive leadership on net-zero building technologies into the future. At COP28, the company sponsored a kick-off event panel discussion on decarbonizing the built environment.  “Working together, pioneers across civil society and the private sector can rapidly deploy these climate solutions affordably, accelerating adoption of the technologies at a time when they are most needed, and can do the best,” said McGinty. sustainable cooling Recognizing the need to act on cooling, industrial equipment provider Danfoss joined with more than 60 government and other pioneering corporations to endorse the Global Cooling Pledge to support sustainable cooling. Action is needed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F).  “Cooling is one of the biggest societal opportunities of our time,” said Jürgen Fischer, President, of Danfoss Climate Solutions. “It is needed everywhere to cool our food, our buildings, and our vaccines. It brings health, growth, and food security for the world’s population.” climate-friendly cooling technologies However, the Global Cooling Pledge needs to extend beyond a pledge and result in action However, the Global Cooling Pledge needs to extend beyond a pledge and result in action, says Fischer. “We must now see [the implementation] of technologies readily available today [to] spread sustainable, energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling technologies around the globe.” In addition to commitments by governments in the Global Cooling Pledge, there are also calls for cooperation in the private sector. It requires the support of private companies, financial institutions, and other entities to help governments achieve the goals outlined in the pledge.  centrally powered chiller Cooling of buildings represents more than half of electricity consumption from cooling and is the most important driver for peak electricity demand. Energy demand from the cooling of homes is expected to grow threefold by 2050 if no measures are taken. One approach to minimizing global warming is district cooling, which saves up to 50% of energy usage by circulating chilled water through pipelines to cool buildings. A centrally powered chiller can shift cold-water production away from peak hours and adapt to renewable energies. cooling-related emissions Daikin Industries exhibited its highly efficient inverter air conditioners, which contribute to 50% energy savings “District cooling and the phase-out of refrigerants with a high impact on global warming are two examples of many that can make a difference,” says Fischer. “Technologies and solutions to reduce cooling-related emissions are already in use around the world, and I urge the pioneers behind the Global Cooling Pledge to see them in action. Seeing is believing.” At the COP28 Japan Pavilion, Daikin Industries exhibited its highly efficient inverter air conditioners, which contribute to 50% energy savings. low-GWP refrigerant R32 “As a pioneering air conditioning company with global operations, Daikin has led the industry in promoting the use of high-efficiency inverter air conditioners and the low-GWP refrigerant R32,” says Katsuyuki Sawai, Senior Executive Officer, of Global Environment, for Daikin. “These efforts are in line with the direction of the Global Cooling Pledge and will continue to expand these initiatives around the world to help achieve the goals of the pledge.” high-efficiency inverter air conditioners Variable-speed high-efficiency inverter air conditioners precisely control the rotation speed of the air conditioner Variable-speed high-efficiency inverter air conditioners precisely control the rotation speed of the air conditioner compressor in line with ambient conditions to reduce electric power consumption.  While the ratio of air conditioners equipped with inverter technology has reached nearly 100% in the Japanese and European markets, such levels are still low in the rest of the world, including the United States, the Middle East Africa, and Asia. More awareness of this equipment is needed. Broader usage would have an immediate impact, says Daikin.  reducing carbon footprints Emerson, a global automation software and technology company, also lent its voice and expertise to the conversations at COP28. “It is encouraging to see how many companies are working to reduce their carbon footprints and engage with clean energy innovations,” said Mike Train, Emerson’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “Across the globe, there are ground-breaking, at-scale examples in hydrogen, EV batteries, biofuels, energy and emissions management, circularity, grid resiliency, and more.”  Reimagine the Future of Energy Mathias Schinzel, Emerson’s Middle East and Africa President, participated in the world’s largest youth energy summit Train says collaboration is key to designing and building projects, putting productive policies and processes in place, and driving investment into broader adoption.  At COP28, Mathias Schinzel, Emerson’s Middle East and Africa President, participated in the world’s largest youth energy summit under the theme of “Reimagine the Future of Energy.” digitalization and artificial intelligence The company also participated in Climate Action’s Sustainable Innovation Forum panel discussion on how digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) can accelerate business models to support sustainable circularity. In addition to participating in other panels, Emerson was a Climate Supporter for COP28 and provided an innovation exhibit in Expo City highlighting technologies to decarbonize traditional industries while accelerating energy sectors like hydrogen, biofuels, and electrification.

With the UK committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050, drastic action is needed by the government. For new-build homes, there’s a gas boiler ban coming in less than five years’ time. And for older properties, it’s likely that gas prices will continue to rise, to encourage homeowners to switch to a more sustainable alternative. Renewable heating market With this in mind, the renewable heating market is growing rapidly, albeit from a very small base – but with targets in place to keep the momentum up. The government has committed to install 600,000 heat pumps into new homes by 2028. The government has committed to install 600,000 heat pumps into new homes by 2028 People who are already living in (old and new) properties heated by renewable technology should be applauded for pioneering it – but understandably, not everyone has the confidence to give up a solution they’re familiar with, and to step into the relative unknown. And that’s why the value of transitional technologies cannot be over-estimated– both to homeowners who want to live more sustainably and to installers looking to adapt and future-proof their businesses. But the role that hybrid heat pumps can play in accelerating progress on the road to zero has been somewhat overlooked to date. Hybrid heat pumps Hybrid heat pumps combine the power of a heat pump with the familiarity of a high-efficiency boiler. The two appliances work together to provide heating and hot water, providing the ideal replacement for a combi boiler as a first step towards introducing renewable heating technology into the home. Compared to a traditional gas boiler, hybrid heat pump systems can reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 55% and have been proven to deliver up to a 50% reduction in energy bills in homes in the UK. Our Daikin Altherma hybrid heat pump’s smart programming helps to save up to 35% more energy than a traditional condensing boiler by automatically determining the most economically and energy-efficient operating combination based on energy prices, outdoor temperatures, and indoor heat capacity. Heat pump share The hybrid system’s operating mode can be shifted to more electric heat pump share As well as being quick to install, hybrid systems are designed to look and operate like a conventional boiler system and deliver like-for-like performance and comfort levels. And to give homeowners peace of mind, the heat pump can act as a back-up for the boiler, and vice-versa – meaning they’ll never be caught short. Hybrid systems are best-suited to smaller homes in urban areas, that are likely to have a combi-boiler, and where the shell of the building is not energy-efficient enough to rely on electricity alone. But as the efficiency of the building is improved and upgraded over time, the hybrid system’s operating mode can be shifted to more electric heat pump share. And while there’s a lot of talk about new homes in the renewable heating debate, hybrid technology is ideal for renovations and boiler replacements. Heating system replacements We estimate that there are 1.1 million homes across the country that would be well-served by a hybrid system. That, combined with the benefits of hybrids for both installers and consumers, is why we firmly believe in hybrid heat pumps’ potential to support a faster, easier, and more affordable transition to low carbon heating in this country. Every homeowner who buys a Daikin Altherma hybrid system gets a high-efficiency boiler for free When consumers are looking at heating system replacements, we know that complexity and disruption are barriers to purchase. Fortunately, neither is an issue with hybrids. While hybrid heat pump systems can be installed with a household’s existing boiler, to help increase uptake, we’re running a special offer at the moment whereby every homeowner who buys a Daikin Altherma hybrid system gets a brand-new, high-efficiency boiler for free. Low carbon technology And there’s no need to lose valuable floor space to a hot water cylinder or to make changes to the radiators. Hybrids aren’t just good news for homeowners; they represent a real opportunity for installers, too. At the moment, there are 1,000 heat pump installers in the UK and around 125,000 gas boiler installers. We need to transition these boiler installers towards low carbon technology – not just to drive progress on the road to net zero, but to help their businesses stay relevant and competitive. This year, in partnership with 11 of our Daikin Sustainable Home Centres across the UK, we’re running a free nationwide training program to help installers enter the renewable heating market with hybrid heat pumps. eco-Friendly hybrid solution Reducing electricity prices isn’t enough to encourage people to change the way they heat their homes Installers who complete the day-long course can expand their portfolio and gain the skills to upgrade customers to an eco-friendly hybrid solution. Reducing electricity prices isn’t enough to encourage people to change the way they heat their homes; more needs to be done to make new, clean technologies accessible and appealing. We’re doing what we can to incentivize homeowners – and installers – to embrace the possibilities of a hybrid heat pump system, but a clear funding mechanism from Government is needed as well, specifically to help with the upfront cost of upgrading (free boiler or no free boiler). While the now-closed Green Homes Grant explicitly included hybrid heat pump technology, there’s a big question as to whether the same hybrid solutions will be included in the Clean Heat Grant – the details of which are expected later this year. The answer to that question needs to be ‘yes’.