Air conditioners are indispensable in Japan, where summers are hot and winters are cold, but they have various features such as automatic cleaning functions and air purifiers. Let's take a closer look at the features of air conditioners to ensure that you have a comfortable life!
- Is an automatic cleaning function required?
- Is an air purification function required?
- Smart Phone Linkage
- Percentage of energy conservation standards achieved
- (Supplement) About the shape of the power outlet
Is an automatic cleaning function required?
The first thing I want to tell you about is the automatic cleaning function. Some people may think that by installing this function, they will never have to clean their air conditioner again for the rest of their lives, but this is not the case.
Air conditioner cleaning can be divided into two categories
- Cleaning filters
- Internal (heat exchanger) cleaning
What the automatic cleaning function does is clean the filters, while the internal cleaning is done in a mode named "internal clean," which is often found in regular air conditioners.
Internal clean" is a function that dries the inside of an indoor unit that has been wetted by cooling or dehumidification (dry) to prevent the generation of mold and odor. After stopping operation, the inside of the indoor unit is dried by air blowing or heating operation. (Automatically stops after about 80~140 minutes)
After cooling or dehumidification operation, the inside of the indoor unit will become damp due to condensation. If left as it is, it may cause mold and odor, so it is recommended to clean the inside.
*The streamer function is activated during the internal clean operation.
*Mold and odors that have already developed cannot be removed by internal cleaning.What is Internal Clean? (Room Air Conditioners) FAQ Daikin Industries, Ltd.
It is recommended that the filter be cleaned about once every two weeks, depending on how often and how long the filter is used. Automatic cleaning functions do this for us, but they are not as clean as when we clean them with a vacuum cleaner. As the website of a housecleaning company states
The brush scrapes dirt from the filter. There are two types of methods: one in which the brush moves and the other in which the filter moves. In terms of dirt disposal, there are two types: one collects dirt in a dust box and the other discharges it outdoors.
-omission-
The common denominator is insufficient capacity to remove dirt and insufficient capacity to discharge the collected dirt. This results in dirt remaining in the filter and dirt accumulating inside the air conditioner. Oil-based dirt is particularly difficult to remove, and many dirt deposits can be seen in the filters of air conditioners near kitchens.
The biggest drawback, which sounds like a black joke, is that the filter cleaning robot itself easily accumulates dirt. Not only is it filthy, but when it exceeds an acceptable level, the cleaning function stops working, and dirt continues to accumulate inside. This is a terrible situation that would not occur in a normal air conditioner. Although it is the end of the line, automatic cleaning robots need to be cleaned on a regular basis.
All dirt is not removed from the filter. You will need to clean the filter yourself.
Dirt that cannot be discharged properly and remains inside has accumulated on the surface of the heat exchanger. Ordinary air conditioners do not get this dirty.
Since internal cleaning is not perfect, dirt will eventually accumulate, mold will grow, and the unit will start to smell. When this happens, cleaning by a contractor will be necessary, but since the price difference between those with and without an automatic cleaning function is approximately 10,000 yen, the running cost will also be high.
■Wall-hung type for home use (width: less than 120 cm)
*Multiple-unit rates are for service in the same household only.
Cleaning Fee standard fee 1st unit 14,300 yen Air conditioner with automatic filter
cleaning function (1 unit)25,300 yen Air conditioner cleaning Wall-mounted type Cleaning service Duskin
The price of the main unit of an air conditioner without an automatic cleaning function starts at about 50,000 yen for the latest models, while the price of an air conditioner with an automatic cleaning function starts at about 100,000 yen, almost double the price. In addition, the risk of breakdowns is higher due to the addition of new parts.
For these reasons, we recommend no automatic cleaning function.
Is an air purification function required?
The details are written in the following article, but the paper states that the results of the experiment showed that Plasmacluster Nano-e had no sterilizing effect.
Smart Phone Linkage
Many newer air conditioners are equipped with this feature, but we recommend this one. It can be easily operated remotely from outside the house, for example, to start the air conditioner when you return home, or to turn it off when you forget to turn it off.
Percentage of energy conservation standards achieved
It is a standard for energy consumption efficiency established by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The efficiency is expressed as a percentage, and the higher the number, the more energy efficient.
To get a more accurate idea of energy-saving performance, refer to the "Annual PERFORMANCE FACTOR (APF). Here, too, the higher the number, the more energy efficient.
(Supplement) About the shape of the power outlet
The following four types of air conditioner outlets are the most common. Before buying, check which type of outlet is used for each product and your home.
Special outlet, drilling, etc. Air conditioner sales and installation store Air Conditioner Honpo
I hope the above is helpful.
