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Understanding your air-conditioner’s features and functions

No doubt when you chose your air conditioner or air-to-air heat pump, as they are also known, you spent plenty of time carefully planning and researching the perfect one for you. Now it is time to set it up and ensure you are getting the most out of your investment, but with so many different features and functions to understand how do you know where to begin?

Our guide to understanding the features and functions of your air conditioner and how they apply in a typical home setting can help you not only create the most comfortable climate for your home but also ensure you are getting the most out of your investment.

 

Common Air Conditioner features and what they mean

Air conditioners come with a variety of functions and features. Unit features vary according to their model and manufacturer, and some will even have their own brand-specific names. This creates an endless pool of possibilities, as each serves a different purpose.  Here we’ve put together a list of some common air conditioner functions, including some of our own specific features with an explanation about what they do and how they benefit you. 

Air conditioner efficiency features and functions

Running costs is often one of the biggest considerations when choosing your air conditioner. Modern ac units are designed to be efficient, but it is important to understand the various features to ensure you are getting the best out of your air conditioner.

 

Energy consumption ratings

The European Union established an energy consumption labelling scheme where the energy efficiency of an appliance is rated and labelled through a set of energy efficiency classes from A to G. Looking at Grade A specifically, it is further divided into three categories: A+, A++ and A+++. Each + sign is equivalent to an additional 10% of energy efficiency. For example, Daikin’s Stylish and Perfera air conditioners have a rating of A+++, so they are 30% more efficient than A-rated air conditioners, 20% more efficient than A+ rated air conditioners and so on.

Inverter Technology

An inverter is a type of energy-saving technology that reduces energy waste in air conditioners by efficiently controlling the compressor speed. Instead of expending energy through starting and stopping, the inverter adjusts the speed of the compressor so that it runs continuously and more efficiently. What this also means is that the temperature in your room will be much more constant and sudden temperature drops or spikes due to air conditioner operation can be avoided. All Daikin units utilise inverter technology, which results in a decrease of energy consumption by up to 30% across the board.

Refrigerant R-32

Refrigerant is the substance used in AC systems that enables heat transfer between the indoor and the outdoor air. A refrigerant absorbs environmental heat and after running through compressors and evaporators, provides cool air. Without refrigerant, there would be no air conditioning, refrigeration or freezing technology. R-32 is a next-generation single component refrigerant that efficiently carries heat and has a lower environmental impact. It can help to reduce electricity consumption up to 10% compared to that of air conditioners using other types of refrigerant.

Motion Detection (2 or 3 directions)

Motion sensors in the unit detect the presence of people in an area and work to direct the airflow away from them ensuring optimal user comfort. These powerful sensors can also detect when a room is empty and will switch the air conditioner to Econo or energy-saving mode. This function reduces unnecessary energy waste that can occur by frequently turning the air conditioner on and off or forgetting to switch it off when the room is not being used. Daikin Emura and Stylish models are able to detect temperature unevenness and direct airflow accordingly to even out temperature distribution throughout the room.

Auto-cleaning Filter

Some air conditioners now have self-cleaning filters. Dust build-up can result in the air conditioner having to work harder, reducing its overall performance. Self-cleaning filters remove dust particles from the air and then regularly clean themselves automatically with an integrated brush. This function decreases the need for manually cleaning the filters and ensures they are always working at maximum efficiency.

Air conditioner operation features and functions

Depending on your air conditioner model you will have various operating modes to choose from. These can affect the comfort level, noise level and modes to improve efficiency.

Auto Changeover

Manually controlling functions to try to maintain the optimal temperature can consume high amounts of energy and your bill will reflect this. With the auto cooling-heating changeover function, your air conditioner will automatically select heating or cooling mode to achieve your pre-programmed set temperature. A good ambient room temperature is generally recommended to be around 23° Celsius. This common standard feature for new air conditioners is especially useful in autumn and spring when the weather can be changeable. Choosing your optimal temperature and leaving your air conditioner alone to do its job whatever the weather is a great way to be energy efficient.

Comfort mode

Feeling a draught can be uncomfortable, so using Comfort mode will prevent this, as the airflow is positioned so it will not come into direct contact with people in the room. This feature works in both heating and cooling operation. Sometimes you may find the temperature has dropped or risen drastically in a room. If a quick boost or reduction in temperature is needed, then you can use Powerful mode. This mode cannot be combined with other functions such as Econo or Comfort mode and only runs for 20 minutes, after which it returns to the previous settings.

Powerful mode

Powerful mode comes in handy when trying to quickly heat up or cool down a room. Frequent rapid temperature changes aren’t always desirable, this mode is ideal when you need the room to be ready in a few minutes.

Silent Operation

Many new air conditioners can have the noise level lowered to just 20 dBA in heating and 19 dBA in cooling mode. Often called whisper quiet, this near silent operation is achieved using specially designed fans. A low operating sound level is especially important during heating, since this means your unit will be operating around the clock.

Heat boost

Most air conditioners have a heating function as well as cooling, which will come with some additional heating features. Similarly to Powerful mode, using the heat boost function enables the air conditioning unit to reach the set temperature more quickly, heating up your room to the temperature needed, but in a more efficient way.

Heat plus

An air conditioner with the heat plus function uses radiant heat from the top of the unit to help warm the room. This stays on for 30 minutes then automatically returns to the previous setting.

Floor warming

If your air conditioner has a floor warming option then it is capable of disbursing warm air from the bottom of the unit. This is distributed across the floor creating a warm atmosphere in the room.

Self-diagnosis

An air-conditioner with this function simplifies maintenance by indicating system faults or operating anomalies. In the event of an air conditioner malfunction, an internal micro-computer automatically runs the Self Diagnosis function and displays an indication on the unit. You can then identify the problem by referring to the troubleshooting section of your user manual and in many cases, quickly resolve the issue without the need to contact the manufacturers support services.

Air purification features and functions

If you or someone in your household suffers from allergies, then it is important to understand the different air purifying features available with an air conditioner that can clean the air and create a healthier atmosphere for everyone.

 

Air filter

An air filter is contained within the air conditioner which removes airborne dust particles. Different air filters have varying capabilities and applications. Some people need HVAC system filters that will keep the air free of allergens and other pollutants, while others just need a basic filter to get the job done.

Air Purifying & Deodorising Filters

A silver allergen removal and air purifying filter captures and removes up to 99% of pollen and dust mites, greatly improving the quality of your indoor air. An air conditioner with a titanium apatite deodorising filter has the additional benefit of not only removing dust particles but also capturing unpleasant odours and deactivating harmful organic chemical substances

Flash Streamer Technology

Daikin’s patented air purification technology catches viruses, allergens (such as pollen and fungal allergens) and bothersome odours from the air and breaks them down to safe atoms and water molecules.

Find out more

Air conditioner airflow features and functions

Functions that control the airflow of your air conditioner help with directing the air right where it is needed to cool or warm the room without blasting directly at the occupants. These features are specific found to Daikin air conditioners and ideal for those who want to maximise the effectiveness of their air conditioner in large rooms.

Coanda effect

The Coanda effect (available for heating and cooling) can be used to optimise airflow using specifically designed directional vents. This more focused airflow enables better temperature distribution throughout the whole room.

3D Airflow

The vertical and horizontal auto-swing capability of 3D Airflow can circulate a stream of warm or cool air to all areas, including the corners of a space.

Intelligent thermal sensor

This intelligent operation allows the unit to scan the room to detect movement and, using the Coanda effect, direct airflow away from the occupants. It can also sense areas of uneven temperature and will focus the airflow where it is needed to maintain a uniform temperature throughout the room.

Air conditioner humidity control features and functions

Having the right level of humidity combined with temperature year-round is the ultimate in creating a comfortable environment in your home. This feature is built in to some higher end air conditioners.

Humidification

Humidification is the process of adding moisture to the air. The technology used in the Daikin Ururu Sarara air conditioner absorbs moisture from the outdoor air and disperses it indoors. This eliminates the need for a water supply so there are no concerns relating to bacterial growth. The moderate level of humidity achieved can actually help you feel warmer and can prevent conditions caused by dry air.

Dehumidification

Particularly in summer, the air can become humid causing your home to feel hot and stuffy. An air conditioner with a dehumidification function will reduce the humidity without making the room too cold, by mixing dry cool air with warm air.

Flash Streamer Technology

This is a pre-set function on most Daikin air conditioners which can automatically adjust the temperature and airflow rate to reduce the level of humidity in the room. It does this while maintaining the temperature as much as possible.

Air conditioner control & scheduling features and functions

As all devices become smarter, it’s no surprise to expect the same from our climate system. Remote controls with smart functions allow you to operate your air conditioner from anywhere. With Daikin products you also have access to our Onecta app which gives you the power to control all your heating, cooling and hot water units. Newer air conditioner models even incorporate voice control, and can be easily connected to home assistants such as Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.

Onecta app

As all devices become smarter, it’s no surprise to expect the same from our climate system. Remote controls with smart functions allow you to operate your air conditioner from anywhere. With Daikin products you also have access to our Onecta app which gives you the power to control all your heating, cooling and hot water units. Newer air conditioner models even incorporate voice control, and can be easily connected to home assistants such as Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.

Weekly timer

Most air conditioners will have timers that can be set to create a weekly schedule. This means you can have your timer set for cooling or heating to start and stop at specific times each day of the week. This allows you to programme your air conditioning system to operate around your schedule, keeping your home at the optimum temperature when you need it without having to manually turn it on and off.

24-hour timer

In addition to the weekly timer, you can set your air conditioner to start cooling or heating at the times it is needed during a 24 hour period.

There are a couple of additional things to keep in mind that will play a role in how your air conditioner’s features and functions perform:

  • It is important to factor in the amount of sunlight a room gets. A room in direct sun will need more powerful air conditioning than a shaded room. Rooms with lots of electronics that generate heat could also require greater cooling power from your ac unit.
  • To achieve highly efficient climate control, it’s vital to choose the very best air conditioner that you can afford; you will be grateful you invested in buying once and buying well.

Daikin’s air conditioning systems offer superior performance, energy efficiency, and comfort in stylish solutions to suit all interior spaces and lifestyles. Discover Daikin’s residential air-conditioning range here.

 

Not sure where to start? 

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Alternatively, take a look at our Home Solutions Hub to find out everything you need to know about heating, heating with air conditioners and heat pumps.

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