Final Report by Air Conditioner Evaluation Standard Subcommittee,
Energy Efficiency Standards Subcommittee of the Advisory
Committee for Natural Resources and Energy

Regarding air conditioners, the target fiscal year was set to 2004 freezing year for thoseof wall-hung and non-duct type (limited to the cooling capacity of which is 4.0kW or lower)
among air conditioners used for cooling and heating.

For this reason, the target standard

values etc. for air conditioners for home use were reviewed and newly formulated in
September 2006.
Meanwhile, the target fiscal year for air conditioners except those whose target year
was in 2004 freezing year was set to 2007 freezing year.

The new indicator for energy

consumption efficiency was introduced when the new target standard values formulated in
September 2006.

As a result, now there are 2 types of evaluation indicators in the market.

This means that simple comparison of the products cannot be performed.
To review on setting new target standard values for air conditioners other than those set
in September 2006, Air Conditioner Evaluation Standards Subcommittee was established.
It made deliberations on evaluation standards for the manufacturers and importers(hereinafter referred to as "manufacturers") about performance improvement of air
conditioners, and the interim report was prepared as follows.
1. Scope added to the target (See Attachment 1)
Within the target scope of current energy conservation law, this review covers air
conditioners other than those for home use for which new target standards with FY2010
target fiscal year were formulated in September, 2006 which are non-duct wall-hung type, forcooling and heating, and having the cooling capacity of 4.0kW or below.
About multi-type air conditioners (among separate type air conditioners, those whichconnect one outdoor unit with two or more indoor units and control the indoor units
independently), in response to the recent status of shipment, models the cooling capacity ofwhich is up to 50.4kW are included in the target scope.
However, the following air conditioners are excluded from the scope: i.e. those whose
cooling capacity exceeds 28kW (50.4kW in the case of multi-type), those of window type/wall
type only for cooling, those of water-cooling types, those using energy other than electricity as
the thermal source for heating, those used for maintaining the performance of machineries orfor sanitary management of food and/or drink, those exclusively sending cooled outdoor air toindoor, spot air conditioners, heat storage air conditioners, highly gas-tight/heat-insulating
housing

duct

air

conditioning

systems,solar-power

dedicatedair

conditioners,

multi-functional heat pump air conditioners, and heat recovery multi air conditioners.
2. Items to be judgment standards for manufacturers(1) Target fiscal year (See Attachment 2)(i)

Air conditioners for home use

1) Non-duct and wall-hung type:

Fiscal year 201012) Others:

Fiscal year 2012(ii) Air conditioners for business use
Fiscal year 2015
(2) Target standard values (See Attachment 3 to 4)
For air conditioners that manufacturers ship for Japan in the target fiscal year,
the weighted harmonic average of energy consumption efficiency (Annual Performance
Factor (APF)) measured in (3), weighted by the volume of shipments for eachmanufacturer per category shown in the table below, shall not be below the target
standard values.
(Air conditioners for home use)
Category

Unit Form

1

Wall-hung and non-duct
type air conditioners(excluding, among
multi-type models, thosewhich control operation ofindoor units separately)

2
3
4
5

6

Separate type air
conditioners other thanthose of non-duct andwall-hung type (excluding,among multi-type models,
those which control
operation of indoor units
separately)

7
8
9

Cooling Capacity
Over 4.0kW
5.0kW or lower
Over 5.0kW
6.3kW or lower
Over 6.3kW
28.0kW or lower
3.2kW or lower
Over 3.2kW
4.0kW or lower
Over 4.0kW
28.0kW or lower
4.0kW or lower

Multi-type air conditioners
that individually control
operation of indoor units

Over 4.0kW
7.1kW or lower
Over 7.1kW
28.0kW or lower

2

Target Standard Value
(APF)
5.5
5.0
4.5
5.2
4.8

4.3
5.4
5.4
5.4

(Air conditioners for business use)
Category

Type ofindoorunit

Form and function

1

Lower than 3.6kW

2
3
4
5
6
7

Separate type air
conditioners ofmulti-combination
as well as air
conditioners which
are not included in
the following
categories of forms
and functions(so-called air
conditioners forstores)4direction
cassette
type

10
11
12
13
14
15
16

3.6kW or over
Lower than 10.0kW
10.0kW or over
Lower than 20.0kW
20.0kW or over28.0kW or lower
Lower than 3.6kW

Other
than 4-direction
cassette
type3.6kW or over
Lower than 10.0kW
10.0kW or over
Lower than 20.0kW
20.0kW or over8
9

Cooling capacity

28.0kW or lower

E = 6.0
E = 6.0 − 0.083 × (A−3.6)
E = 6.0 − 0.12 × (A−10)
E = 5.1 − 0.060 × (A−20)
E = 5.1
E = 5.1 − 0.083 × (A−3.6)
E = 5.1 − 0.10 × (A−10)
E = 4.3 − 0.050 × (A−20)

Lower than 10.0kW E = 5.7

Multi-type air
conditioners that
control operation ofeach indoor unit
separately(so-called air
conditioners forbuildings)
Air conditioners
having on-the-floor
type indoor units
connected to ducts,
and models likethis (so-called air
conditioners forfacilities)

Target standard value
and calculation formula10.0kW or over
Lower than 20.0kW⎯

20.0kW or over
Lower than 40.0kW
40.0kW or over
50.4kW or lower

Non-ducttype

E = 5.7 − 0.065 × (A−20)
E = 4.8 − 0.040 × (A−40)

Lower than 20.0kW E = 4.9
20.0kW or over28.0kW or lower

Duct
type

E = 5.7 − 0.11 × (A−10)

E = 4.9

Lower than 20.0kW E = 4.7
20.0kW or over28.0kW or lower

E = 4.7

Note 1) E: Energy consumption efficiency throughout a year (APF: Annual Performance
Factor).

When calculating it with the target standard calculation formula, theobtained value shall be rounded down to the first decimal place, truncating at thesecond decimal place.
Note 2) A: Cooling capacity of the model (kW).

3

3)Energy consumption efficiency measurement method (See Attachment 5)
As an indicator of energy consumption efficiency of air conditioners, Annual
Performance Factor (APF) shall be used.

The measurement method shall be based on

the calculation method specified in Japanese Industrial Standards C 9612: 2005 (RoomAir Conditioner) and Japan Industrial Standards B 8616: 2006 (Package Air
Conditioner).
(4) Display items and others
1) Display items shall be as follows.
a) Categoryb) Cooling capacityc) Cooling power consumptiond) Heating capacitye) Heating power consumptionf)Annual Performance Factorg) Name of manufacturer
Display items regarding air conditioners for home use is under the provision of thehousehold product quality labeling law, and for the display of a) and f) above, revision of
the Electric Machinery and Appliance Quality Labeling Regulations is required.
2) Compliance itemsa) Cooling capacity shall be displayed in kilowatts measured by the method specified in
the cooling capacity test in Japanese Industrial Standards B 8615-1 or B 8615-2 (thetemperature condition shall be T1).

In this case, the cooling capacity shall be thedisplay value minus 5% or greater.
b) Heating capacity shall be displayed in kilowatts measured by the method specified
in the heating capacity test in Japanese Industrial Standards B 8615-1 or B 8615-2(the temperature condition shall be standard level).

In this case, the heating

capacity shall be the display value minus 5% or greater.
c) Cooling power consumption shall be in watts or kilowatts measured by the method
specified in the cooling power consumption test in Japanese Industrial Standard
B8615-1 or B8615-2.

In this case, the cooling power consumption shall be thedisplay value plus 10% or below.
d) Heating power consumption shall be in watts or kilowatts measured by the method
specified in the heating power consumption test in Japanese Industrial Standard B
8615-1 or B 8615-2.

In this case, the heating power consumption shall be thedisplay value plus 10% or below.

4e) Annual Performance Factor shall be obtained by dividing the sum of heat quantity
to be removed from indoor air and that to be added to indoor air throughout cooling
period and heating period by total energy consumption to be consumed during thesame period.

These heat quantities are obtained by the test and calculating

method for seasonal energy efficiency specified in Japanese Industrial Standards C
9612: 2005 (room air conditioners) and Japanese Industrial Standards B 8616: 2006
(package air conditioners).

The obtained APF shall be displayed up to one decimal

place.
f)

If any difference arise in measurements specified in a) to e) above due to different
rated frequencies, the measured values shall be displayed for every rated frequency.

g) Display items listed in 1) above shall be clearly placed on prominent positions in
catalogues and instruction manuals, etc. so that consumers can refer to them whenselecting products.
4. Proposals for energy saving(1) Actions of users
1) Efforts shall be made to select air conditioners with excellent energy consumption
efficiency through effective use of information such as “energy-saving labels” and“unified energy-saving labels”, etc.

At the same time, efforts shall also be made to

reduce energy consumption of air conditioner by appropriate and effective utilization.
2) Efforts shall be made to select air conditioners, while considering the setting, size, etc.
of the intended room in order to make full use of the capacity.
3) In some cases, air conditioners cannot fully realize their capacity due to inappropriate
installation such as small installation space for outdoor units.

Therefore, efforts shallbe made to give due consideration to the installation place.
(2) Actions of retailers
1) Efforts shall be made to sell air conditioners with excellent energy consumption
efficiency as well as to provide appropriate information for users by utilizing“energy-saving labels” and “unified energy-saving labels”, etc. to encourage them toselect such air conditioners.

When using the energy-saving labels, etc., as air

conditioners vary in performance depending on areas where to be used, retailers shallcarefully display labels in a manner that users can easily understand and get no false
impression, for example, by means of showing conditions for calculating energy
consumption efficiency.
2) In some cases, air conditioners cannot fully realize their capacity due to inappropriate
installation such as small installation space for outdoor units.
be made to give due consideration to the installation place.

5

Therefore, efforts shall(3) Actions of manufacturers
1) Efforts shall be made to promote technological development toward energy saving in
air conditioners and to develop products with excellent energy consumption efficiency.
2) From viewpoint of aiming at the popularization of air conditioners with excellent
energy consumption efficiency, efforts shall be made to provide appropriate information
to encourage users to select such air conditioners, for example by displaying“energy-saving labels” in catalogues and so forth.

When using the energy-saving

labels, etc., as air conditioners vary in performance depending on areas where to be
used, retailers shall carefully display labels in a manner that users can easily
understand and get no false impression, for example, by means of showing conditions
for calculating energy consumption efficiency.
3) To respond to improved energy-saving performances such as insulation performance ofbuildings, etc. in recent years, revision of a guideline for applicable room sizes
corresponding to cooling capacity and heating capacity shall be considered.
4) Although cooling energy consumption efficiency and heating energy consumption
efficiency were removed from the display items this time, efforts shall be made toprovide such information as much as possible, because facility designers and others
may utilize the information with respect to air conditioners for business use.
5) Taking into consideration that Annual Performance Factor (APF) adopted this time isbased on numeric values computed under certain conditions, continued efforts shall bemade to improve the measurement method so that evaluation can be carried out in acondition closer to actual use.
(4) Actions of Government
1) From viewpoint of aiming at the popularization of air conditioners with excellent
energy consumption efficiency, efforts shall be made to take necessary measures suchas the spread and enlightenment activities, in order to promote actions of users andmanufacturers.
2) Implementation of the display items by manufacturers shall be checked periodicallyand continuously.

Also, appropriate law management shall be made so that correctand easy-to-understand information regarding energy consumption efficiency will be
provided for users.
3) Energy efficiency standards based on the Top Runner method is a very effective means
to reduce energy consumption of products; therefore, efforts shall be made todisseminate it internationally by catching appropriate opportunities.

6

Attachment 1

Target Scope of Air Conditioners
1. Basic idea
Within the target scope of current energy conservation law, this review covers air
conditioners other than those for home use for which new target standards with FY2010 target
fiscal year were formulated in September, 2006 which are non-duct wall-hung type, for coolingand heating, and having the cooling capacity of 4.0kW or below.
However, the target scope shall be extended or limited as follows depending on thechange in the number shipped, the introduction of new products, etc.
2. Extension of target scope
About multi-type air conditioners (among separate type air conditioners, those whichconnect one outdoor unit with two or more indoor units and control the indoor units
independently), those whose cooling capacity is up to 28kW are targeted under the current
evaluation standard.

Shipment volume of the multi-type air conditioners has been on the rise,

and that of the products with cooling capacity of over 28kW is also increasing.
Although the scope of JIS B8616: 2006 is up to the cooling capacity of 28kW, giving aconsideration to the circumstances mentioned above, multi-type air conditioners a single-unit
cooling capacity of which is up to 50.4kW were included in the target scope.

Basic items forevaluation method required this time were also determined.
With this expansion, 28 thousand units will be added to the target scope.
3. Limitation of target scope
In the Top Runner method, the following products are excluded from the target scope; 1)
products used for special purpose, 2) products whose technical measurement method andevaluation method are not established and it is difficult to determine the target standars, and
3) products whose share in the market is extremely small.
(1) Electrically driven unit-type air conditioners
1) Air conditioners the cooling capacity of which exceeds 28kW (50.4kW in the case ofmulti-type models)As multi-type air conditioners the cooling capacity of which exceeds 50.4kW are few inquantity and it is difficult to secure facilities to test them, it is reasonable to exclude themfrom the scope.
Also, those other than multi-type, whose cooling capacity exceeds 28kW, are often
special order products to be installed mainly in factories, with various specifications.
JIS standard does not stipulate the test method for these products, and evaluation
methods for these products are not always well established.
7* Estimation of the number shipped (FY2005): 19.8 thousand units.
2) Window type, wall type and cooling-only type air conditioners (additional exclusion)
As the shipment volume of those of window type and cooling-only type has been
recently on the drastic decline, they are excluded from the target scope.
* Estimation of the number shipped (FY2005)• Window type, wall type: 48 thousand units (1997 freezing year: 152 thousand units)• Cooling-only type: 121 thousand units (1997 freezing year: 451 thousand units)
3) Water cooling type air conditioner
Water cooling air conditioners are used under special conditions in which cooling water
system must exist; besides, they need different thermal source for heating.

The shipment

volume has been on the decline in the long term.
* Estimation of the number shipped (FY 2005): 12.4 thousand units (1997 freezing
year: 21.0 thousand units)
4) Air conditioners that use any energy other than electricity as a heat source for heating
They are composite products that use electricity for cooling but combustion heat of gas,oil, etc, as a heat source for heating.

They are used limitedly in cold region where heatingby heat pumps cannot cover the heating load.
In addition,the measurement method is not established yet.
* Estimation of the number shipped (FY 2005): 4.4 thousand units (1997 freezing year:
47.0 thousand units)5) Air conditioners used for maintaining the performance of machineries or for sanitary
management of food and/or drink
They are special air conditioners used to maintain cleanness of air, temperature andhumidity, not like ordinary air conditioners. They are known as package air conditioners
for computer rooms, package air conditioners for clean rooms, package air conditioners for
low temperature, etc. Most of them are special order products.
* Estimation of the number shipped (FY 2005): 6.8 thousand units (1997 freezing year:
8.0 thousand units)
6) Air conditioners which exclusively cool outdoor air and send it to indoors
They are called all-fresh type air conditioners and used for special application such as
surgery rooms of hospitals, treatment of outdoor air at factories, explosion facilities, etc.
They are affected by restrictions on building constructions.

The number of units isvery few.
* Estimation of the number shipped (FY 2005): 1.6 thousand units (1997 freezing year:
0.6 thousand units)87) Spot air conditioners
Special air conditioners used mainly in factories to send cool air to workers to improve
working environment. The evaluation method has not been established yet.
* Estimation of the number shipped (FY 2005): 30.5 thousand units (1997 freezing
year: 65.0 thousand units)
8) Heat storing storage air conditioners
Air conditioners which are equipped with a heat tank to store cold energy during thenight and cool indoors during the daytime using the cold energy.

They were developed tolevel the power demand and expected to spread more, but they are on the decrease now.
The evaluation method has not been established yet.
* Estimation of the number shipped (FY 2005): 6.8 thousand units (1997 freezing year:
2.5 thousand units)9) Ducted air-conditioning systems for highly gas-tight/heat-insulating housing
Air conditioners specially developed for highly gas-tight/heat-insulating houses ofrecent years and are yet to spread.
exhaust air and intake air.

They have a heat exchange capability between

No evaluation method has been established yet.

* Estimation of the number shipped (FY 2005): 3.5 thousand units (1997 freezing year:
5.0 thousand units)
10) Solar-power dedicated air conditioners
Solar-power dedicated air conditioners, including the power supply section, etc., arespecially designed products.

There are problems such as how to evaluate theconsumption of power generated by the solar. Although they used to be shipped but notnow, it is expected to spread hereafter.
* Estimation of the number shipped (FY 2005): 0 .0 thousand units (1997 freezing year:
0.04 thousand units)11) Multi-functional heat pump system air conditioners
Air conditioners which are systems equipped with floor heating, hot water supply
and/or other functions using heated water produced by heat pump systems.

Althoughthey are expected to spread hereafter, their shipment number is still small.
* Estimation of the number shipped (FY 2005): 2.0 thousand units (1997 freezing year:
2.0 thousand units)12) Heat recovering multi air conditioners (additional exclusion)Multi-type air conditioners using absorbed heat from cooling as the thermal source forheating other spaces, which are installed in buildings where partial cooling is required
9even in winter for computer rooms, etc.

It is difficult to apply the same evaluation method

as of ordinary air conditioners where the evaluations are made for cooling season andheating season separately.

In addition, the number of units shipped is very few.

Therefore, it is appropriate to exclude them from the scope.
* Estimation of the number shipped (FY 2005): 2.0 thousand units(2) Air conditioners not electrically driven and those for transportation means
As for air conditioners without an electrical motor for compression or those designed
for transportation means such as vehicles, their driving sources and structures are very
unique.

Moreover, there is no evaluation method established yet.

From this reason,

they are excluded from the scope.
1) Air conditioners having structure without electrical motor for compression• Gas engine driven heat pump air conditioners* Estimation of the number shipped (FY 2005): 35.9 thousand units (1997 freezing
year: 40.0 thousand units)
2) Designed for transportation means• Air conditioners for automobiles* Estimation of the number shipped (FY 2005): 4,536 thousand units (1997 freezing
year: 5,915 thousand units)• Air conditioners for buses* Estimation of the number shipped (FY 2005): 13.2 thousand units (1997 freezing
year: 15 thousand units)• Air conditioners for railway cars
* Estimation of the number shipped (FY 2005): Unknown (1997 freezing year: 4.3
thousand units)

10Attachment 2

Target Fiscal Year, etc. of Air Conditioners

1. Air conditioners for home use(1)

In general, a considerable improvement in energy consumption efficiency is madewhen a model change takes place, and a typical development period of these new
products is approximately 2 to 3 years.

For this reason, consideration should be givenso that manufacturers can take 1 to 2 opportunities of bringing out new models before
next target fiscal year.
Meanwhile, for the non-duct wall-hung type air conditioners the cooling capacity ofwhich is 4.0kW or less as stipulated last time, the target year was set as 2010 fiscal year.
Therefore, for the non-duct wall-hung type air conditioners reviewed this time, it isnecessary to give considerations so that consumers will not misunderstand.
In the light of the above, the next target fiscal year for air conditioners under thisreview is made as follows.
1) Non-duct wall-hung type:

As the target fiscal year for those whose cooling capacityof 4.0kW or less was set as 2010 fiscal year, it is appropriate to set it as the same.
2) Others:

It is appropriate to set the target fiscal year as 2012 fiscal year, which is five

years after establishment of the target standard values.
(2)

In addition, it is expected that improvement rate of energy consumption efficiency inthe target fiscal year will be approximately 15.6% (approximately 17.8% for non-ductwall-hung type, approximately 13.6% for others) based on an assumption that there will
be no change in volume of shipment as well as model composition of each category fromthe current status (result of fiscal year 2006).

<Overview of Estimation>{ Air conditioners for home use as a whole(i)

Energy consumption efficiency estimated from actual values of those shipped infiscal year 2006:

4.5(ii) Energy consumption efficiency estimated from the target standard values of those to
be shipped in the target fiscal year:

5.2(iii) Improvement rate of energy consumption efficiency(5.2 − 4.5)
× 100 = Approximately 15.6%
4.5{ Non-duct, wall-hung type air conditioners

11

(i)

Energy consumption efficiency estimated from actual values of those shipped infiscal year 2006:

4.5(ii) Energy consumption efficiency estimated from the target standard values of those to
be shipped in the target fiscal year:

5.3(iii) Improvement rate of energy consumption efficiency(5.3 − 4.5)
× 100 = Approximately 17.8%
4.5{ Others(i)Energy consumption efficiency estimated from actual values of those shipped infiscal year 2006:

4.4(ii) Energy consumption efficiency estimated from the target standard values of those to
be shipped in the target fiscal year:

5.0(iii) Improvement rate of energy consumption efficiency(5.0 − 4.4)
× 100 = Approximately 13.6%
4.4

2. Air conditioners for business use(1)

In general, a considerable improvement in energy consumption efficiency is madewhen a model change takes place.

A new product development cycle of air conditioners

for business use is approximately 3 to 4 years in the case of mainstream products such as
4 -direction cassette types.

However, looking at air conditioners for business use as awhole, the model change cycle tends to become longer due to their wide varieties in spiteof the small number of shipment.
Since consideration needs be given so that manufacturers can take 1 to 2
opportunities of bringing out new models before next target fiscal year, fiscal year 2015is set as the target year.
(2)

It is expected that improvement rate of energy consumption efficiency in the target
fiscal year will be approximately 18.2% (approximately 18.2% for store-use air
conditioners, approximately 19.2% for building-use multi-type air conditioners,
approximately 29.7% for facilities-use air conditioners) based on an assumption that
there will be no change in volume of shipment as well as model composition of eachcategory from the current status (result of fiscal year 2006).

<Overview of estimation>{ Air conditioners for business use as a whole(i)

Energy consumption efficiency estimated from actual values of those shipped in

12fiscal year 2006:

4.4(ii) Energy consumption efficiency estimated from the target standard values of those to
be shipped in the target fiscal year:

5.2(iii) Improvement rate of energy consumption efficiency(5.2 − 4.4)
× 100 = Approximately 18.2%
4.4{ Air conditioners for stores(i)Energy consumption efficiency estimated from actual values of those shipped infiscal year 2006:

4.4(ii) Energy consumption efficiency estimated from the target standard values of those to
be shipped in the target fiscal year:

5.2(iii) Improvement rate of energy consumption efficiency(5.2 − 4.4)
× 100 = Approximately 18.2%
4.4{ Multi-type air conditioners for building,(i)

Energy consumption efficiency estimated from actual values of those shipped infiscal year 2006:

4.2(ii) Energy consumption efficiency estimated from the target standard values of those to
be shipped in the target fiscal year:

5.0(iii) Improvement rate of energy consumption efficiency(5.0 − 4.2)
× 100 = Approximately 19.0%
4.2{ Air conditioners for facilities(i)

Energy consumption efficiency estimated from actual values of those shipped infiscal year 2006:

3.7(ii) Energy consumption efficiency estimated from the target standard values of those to
be shipped in the target fiscal year:

4.8(iii) Improvement rate of energy consumption efficiency(4.8 − 3.7)
× 100 = Approximately 29.7%
3.7

13

Attachment 3

Categories of Air Conditioners
1. Current categories of air conditioners
The following 3 factors affect the energy consumption efficiency (cooling and heating
average COP) of air conditioners and the development of energy saving technologies.

Thus,

air conditioners are categorized according to these 3 factors, and a target standard value is set
for each category.
1) Categorization by basic function
2) Categorization by unit form
3) Categorization by cooling capacity
Table 1. Current categories within the scope of this review
Unit from
Non-duct and wall-hung type air
conditioners (excluding among
multi-type models, those which
control operation of each indoor unit
separately)
Other non-duct type air conditioners(excluding among multi-type models,
those which control operation of eachindoor unit separately)
Duct connection type air conditioners(excluding among multi-type models,
those which control operation of eachindoor unit separately)
Multi-type air conditioners which
control operation of each indoor unit
separately

Cooling capacity
Over
3.2kW
4.0kW or
lower

Over
4.0kW
7.1kW or
lower

Over 7.1kW
28.0kW or
lower

Over
3.2kW
4.0kW or
lower

Over
4.0kW
7.1kW or
lower

Over 7.1kW
28.0kW or
lower

4.0kW or lower

Over
4.0kW
7.1kW or
lower

Over 7.1kW
28.0kW or
lower

4.0kW or lower

Over
4.0kW
7.1kW or
lower

Over 7.1kW
28.0kW or
lower

3.2kW or lower

2.5kW
or lower

Over
2.5kW
3.2kW orlower

* Those shaded, whose new standards have been set only for air conditioners for home use,are categorized according to the dimension type (defined or free) of indoor units.
2. New categorization method for air conditioners(1) Basic idea
In the current categorization, categories are defined without separating air conditioners
for home use and for business use.

However, they are separately categorized in thedevelopment of target standard this time, because their loads in measurement method,
design/specifications, development periods, etc. are different.

14(2) Air conditioners for home use(i) Categorization by unit form
Among current categories, the category “duct connection type air conditioners(excluding among multi-type models, those which control operation of each indoor unit
separately)” is combined with the category “other non-duct type air conditioners (excluding
among multi-type models, those which control operation of each indoor unit separately)”,
because the former is not currently manufactured for home use.

As a result, a new

category, “separate type air conditioners other than those of non-duct wall-hung type(excluding among multi-type models, those which control operation of each indoor unit
separately)”, was developed (hereinafter called “separate type air conditioners other thanthose of non-duct wall-hung type).
(ii) Classification by cooling capacity
1) Non-duct wall-hung type air conditioners (excluding among multi-type models, thosewhich control operation of each indoor unit separately) (hereinafter called “non-ductwall-hung type air conditioners”).
For air conditioners the cooling capacity of which is 4.0kW or lower, the target
standard values have already been developed with the target fiscal year set as fiscal
year 2010.

This time, target standard values are established for air conditioners thecooling capacity of which is over 4.0kW and up to 28.0kW.
As for air conditioners for home use, shipment volume of large-size models has beenon the rise.

With respect to those the cooling capacity of which is over 4.0kW, theshipment volume has increased about 3 times as large as that in fiscal year 1999 when
the current target standard values were developed.

(Figure 1)

600,000

～7.1
～6.3
～5.0

500,000

4.0超
Over
4.0
400,000(Units)（）

台
数 300,000

200,000

100,000

0
1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

（年度）
(FiscalYear)(Source: The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association)

Figure 1. Changes in shipment volume of non-duct wall-hung type air conditioners withcooling capacity of over 4.0kW
15

Regarding air conditioners the cooling capacity of which is 4.0kW or lower, forwhich target standards were developed last time, the categories were developed
according to the dimensional type (defined or free) of indoor units.

As for air

conditioners the cooling capacity of which is over 4.0kW, the similar categorization is
not made this time, because most of their indoor units are free-dimension type.
Therefore, air conditioners the cooling capacity of which is over 4.0kW up to
28.0kW are classified according to the following cooling capacities.
i)

Cooling capacity of over 4.0kW up to 5.0kW

ii)

Cooling capacity of over 5.0kW up to 6.3kWiii) Cooling capacity of over 6.3kW up to 7.1kWiv) Cooling capacity of over 7.1kW up to 28.0kW
2) Separate type air conditioners other than those of non-duct wall-hung type
Basically, previous category setting shall be used as is.
The same as in the case of air conditioners with cooling capacity of 4.0kW or lower
for which target standard values were developed last time, 2 categories are prepared,
i.e. for the cooling capacity of 3.2 kW or lower and for the cooling capacity of over 3.2kW
up to 4.0kW.
3) Multi-type air conditioners which control operation of each indoor unit separately(hereinafter called “multi-type air conditioners”)
Current categories shall be used as is.
(iii) Basic category proposal
Based on the consideration above, the basic category proposal is established as follows.
Cooling capacity
Unit form
Non-duct wall-hung type air
conditioners
Separate type air conditioners
other than those of non-ductwall-hung typeMulti-type air conditioners

Over
3.2kW
up to
4.0kW

3.2kW
or
lower

42

48
8

Over
4.0kW
up to
5.0kW

Over
5.0kW
up to
6.3kW

Over
6.3kW
up to
7.1kW

Over
7.1kW
up to
28.0kW

415

125

41

⎯

24

⎯

48

8

Number of units shipped in FY2006 (Unit: 1,000)(Source: The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association)16

(3) Air conditioners for business use(i) Categorization by form and function
Currently, air conditioners for business use are categorized roughly into 3 categories
according to their major applications, i.e. “for store”, “for buildings” and “for facilities”, andcatalogues are separately prepared for each. Load and other conditions to calculate APF
stipulated by JIS B 8616: 2006 (package air conditioners) are different among theseproduct categories.
Therefore, based on the form and function corresponding to these product categories,
basic categories are set as follows.
1) Air conditioners for stores{ Conditions for APF calculation:

APF is calculated using stand-alone store as thebuilding load.
{ Target scope:Among separate type air conditioners as defined by JIS B 8616, thoseof “multiple-combination type” for which multiple combinations of a single outdoor
unit and connectable indoor units are available.

In addition, among air conditioners

with an outdoor unit which cannot make multiple combinations, the models which do
not fall into either 2) or 3) below are included in this category, if it is appropriate forthem to use stand-alone store as the building load in the calculation of APF.

As formulti-type air conditioners, those which control each indoor unit separately are
excluded from this category.
Therefore, the category of air conditioners for stores is defined as “separate type air
conditioners with multiple combinations and those which are not included in either 2) or3)”.
2) Multi air conditioners for buildings{ Conditions for APF calculation:

APF is calculated using office as the building load.

Regarding a coefficient which expresses the performance change due to the change ofoutdoor temperature, the one stipulated for multi air conditioners, which is different
from those for stores and facilities, shall be used.
{ Target scope:Among multi-type air conditioners as defined by JIS B 8616, thosehaving 2 or more indoor units connected to one outdoor unit and controlling eachindoor unit separately.
Therefore, the category of multi air conditioners for buildings is defined as “multi-type
air conditioners which control each indoor unit separately”.
3) Air conditioners for facilities{ Conditions for APF calculation:{ Target scope:

APF is calculated using office as the building load.

Among air conditioners using office as the building load as stipulated

by JIS B 8616 except for multi-type ones, those the indoor units of which areon-the-floor type and connected to ducts, and models like this.

17

In addition, even ifthe indoor units are not for being placed on floor and connected to ducts, such air
conditioners are also included in this category as long as they use office as thebuilding load (non-duct type), based on the assumption that air conditioners here are
primarily used in factories .
Therefore, the category of air conditioners for facilities is defined as “air conditioners
having on-the-floor type indoor units connected to ducts, and models like this”.
(ii) Classification by cooling capacity
It is typical to make a series of models available for each category by form and function,
which covers certain ranges of cooling capacity under outdoor units of the same enclosure.
Therefore, according to general cooling capacity ranges covered by a single enclosure,the following basic classification is made.
1)

Cooling capacity of lower than 5kW

2)Cooling capacity of 5kW or over and lower than 10kW

3)

Cooling capacity of 10kW or over and lower than 20kW

4)Cooling capacity of 20kW or over (and lower than 40kW)

5)(Cooling capacity of 40kW or over and up to 50.4kW)* Figures in the brackets are applied only to multi air conditioners for buildings.
(iii) Basic category proposal
Cooling
capacityFormand function

Air
conditioners
for stores
Multi airconditioners
for buildingsAir
conditioners
for facilities
Total

Based on the study above, the basic category proposal is established as follows.
10kW or
20kW or
5kW or over
40kW or
Lower thanover andover (andand lower
over and up
Total
5kW
lower thanlower than
than 10kW
to 50.4kW
20kW
40kW
90.9

187.1

237.8

71.0

586.8

(13.3%)(27.4%)(34.9%)(10.4%)(86.1%)

0.0

0.4

10.9

56.5

18.6

86.4

(0.0%)(0.1%)(1.6%)(8.3%)(2.7%)(12.7%)

0.0

0.0

1.1

7.6

8.7

(0.0%)(0.0%)(0.2%)(1.1%)(1.3%)

90.9

187.5

249.8

135.1

18.6

681.9

(13.3%)(27.5%)(36.6%)(19.8%)(2.7%)(100.0%)(Upper figure: The number of units shipped in fiscal year 2006 (unit: thousand),Lower figure: Percentage of total)* Note that figures in the fields of air conditioners for stores and facilities whose cooling
capacity of 20kW or over are the numbers of units whose cooling capacity of up to 28kW.

18

Attachment 4

Target Standard Values of Air Conditioners

1. Idea on establishment of target standard values
Target standard values are set based on the idea of Top Runner method.

The specificpolicies are as follows.
1) Target standard values shall be set for every category that has been defined
appropriately.
2) As for categories where future technological advances are expected to improve
efficiency, the target standard value shall allow for as much improvement as possible.
3) Target standard values shall not conflict among categories.
2. Target standard values for air conditioners for home use(1) Room for improvement of energy consumption efficiency by future technology advances
Technology development of air conditioners has been undertaken primarily forestablishment of a comfortable living environment.

Although technology development

related to improvement of energy-saving performance has been implemented to accomplish
the current target standards, development of each elemental technology has almost reachedits limit; thus, innovative technology development like those that has been achieved in thepast cannot be expected.
[Examples of major technologies for efficiency improvement of air conditioners]• Compressors: High-efficient compression technology, neodymium magnet, improvementof motor winding, low-iron-loss magnetic steel sheet, reduction of
mechanical loss, reduction of pressure drop in suction/discharge,
sine-wave drive control.
• Fan motor:

IntroductionofDC

motor,

introductionofmultiplepoles/slots,

optimization of core shape, reduction of circuit loss, optimal energization.
• Electronically controlled valve• Heat exchanger: Three-row arrangement of indoor units, multiple folding process,
improvement of fin shape, improvement of pipe arrangement process.
Although these technologies have been introduced into the current Top Runner products,
it can be said that there still remains room for efficiency improvement in individual
technologies, considering the fact that these introduced technologies differ depending on
manufacturers and that each manufacturer is taking its own approach for further
improvement of efficiency.
Taking these circumstances comprehensively into account, effect of technologicalimprovements is expected as follows.
1) Non-duct wall-hung type air conditioners:
Regarding air conditioners with cooling capacity of 4.0kW or lower, the target
standards of which were established already, efficiency improvement by 3% to 4% was
19

expected, taking technological improvement into consideration comprehensively.
Some technological development already achieved is introduced to air conditioners thecooling capacity of which is 4.0kW or over, for which target standards are developed
this time.

Meanwhile, the target fiscal year of the product categories for which target

standards were set last time is also applied to the product categories for which target
standards are developed this time. It results in providing a relatively short period forthem to achieve the target standards; accordingly, improvement by 2% from the Top
Runner values is expected.
2) Separate type air conditioners other than those of non-duct wall-hung type:
Taking the technologies above comprehensively into account, improvement by 3%
from the Top Runner values is expected.
3) Multi-type air conditioners
Currently the number of multi-type models shipped tends to decrease, and theirmodel cycle is slow; therefore, the effect of technological improvement is basically not
expected. When setting target standard values, as stated in 1.3), there should not be
conflicts between categories.
(2) Specific target standard values (Figure 1 to Figure 3)
Target standard values of air conditioners shall be represented in real numbers.
The Top Runner values of this target scope are as follows.
Cooling capacity
Unit form
Non-ductwall-hung

type

3.2kW
or
lower

Over
3.2kW
up to
4.0kW

air

conditioners
Separate type air conditioners otherthan those of non-duct wall-hung type

5.0

Multi type air conditioners

4.7
5.1

Over
4.0kW
up to
5.0kW

Over
5.0kW
up to
6.3kW

Over
6.3kW
up to
7.1kW

Over
7.1kW
up to
28.0kW

5.4

4.9

4.4

⎯

4.2

⎯

5.3

5.4

Table 1. Top Runner values of air conditioners
Target standard values are based on Top Runner values with consideration for theeffect of technological improvement.
Regarding non-duct wall-hung type air conditioners and separate type air conditioners
other than those of non-duct wall-hung type, although products the cooling capacity of whichis over 7.1kW up to 28.0kW are currently not shipped, they may be supplied in the future.
Therefore, they are combined with categories the cooling capacity of which is one level lower
respectively, and a single target standard value is applied to each of the combined categories.
Regarding multi-type air conditioners, the Top Runner value in the class of cooling
capacity over 7.1kW up to 28.0kW marks the highest efficiency, resulting in the inverse ofvalues among the capacity classes.

Therefore, the target standard value for the class of20

cooling capacity over 7.1kW up to 28.0kW is adopted as the target standard values for theclasses of cooling capacity 4.0kW or lower and of cooling capacity over 4.0kW up to 7.1kW.
Based on these studies above, the target standard values are summarized as follows.
Unit Form

Cooling Capacity

Non-duct wall-hung typeair conditioners (excluding,among multi-type models,
those which control
operation of each indoor
unit separately)
Separate type air
conditioners other thanthose of non-duct andwall-hung type (excluding,among multi-type models,
those which control
operation of each indoor
unit separately)Over 4.0kW up to
5.0kW
Over 5.0kW up to
6.3kW
Over 6.3kW up to
28.0kW
3.2kW or lower
Over 3.2kW up to
4.0kW
Over 4.0kW up to
28.0kW
4.0kW or lower

Multi-type air conditioners
that control operation ofeach indoor unit separately

Over 4.0kW up to
7.1kW
Over 7.1kW up to
28.0kW

Table 2.

TargetTop Runner Improvement
Standard Value
valuerate (%)
(APF)

5.4

2.0

5.5

4.9

2.0

5.0

4.4

2.0

4.5

5.0

3.0

5.2

4.7

3.0

4.8

4.2

3.0

4.3

5.1

5.0

5.4

5.3

2.0

5.4

5.4

0.0

5.4

Target standard values of air conditioners

21

6.0

Target standard value(5.5)

Energy consumption
efficiency (APF)
エネルギー消費効率（ＡＰＦ）

5.5

Target standard value(5.0)

Target standard value
(4.5)

5.0

4.5

4.0

Weighted harmonic
average (4.6)

3.5

Weighted harmonic average(4.4)

Weighted harmonic average
(4.1)

3.0
4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

7.5

冷房能力（ｋＷ）
Cooling
capacity (kW)Figure 1.

Top Runner values and target standard values of non-duct wall-hung type air
conditioners

Energyconsumption efficiency (APF)
エネルギー消費効率（ＡＰＦ）

6.0

Target standard
value(5.2)

Target standard
value (4.8)

5.5

5.0

Target standard value
(4.3)

4.5

4.0

3.5

Weightedharmonic average(4.2)

Weightedharmonic average(4.6)

Weighted harmonic average
(3.9)

3.0
2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

Cooling
capacity (kW)
冷房能力（ｋＷ）

Figure 2. Top Runner values and target standard values of separate type air conditioners
other than those of non-duct wall-hung type

22

6.0

Energyconsumption efficiency (APF)
エネルギー消費効率（ＡＰＦ）

Target standard value
(5.4)
5.5

5.0

4.5

4.0

Weighted harmonic average

Weighted harmonic average
3.5

(4.6)

(4.7)

3.0
2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

冷房能力（ｋＷ）
Cooling
capacity (kW)Figure 3.

Top Runner values and target standard values of multi-type air conditioners

3. Target standard values of air conditioners for business use(1) Idea on establishment of target standard values
In buildings where air conditioners for business use are installed, the area and shape ofrooms that require cooling and heating vary; thus, products matching such variety must be
prepared.

For this reason, while ensuring the variety in forms of indoor units, 4 to 5 typesof enclosures, from large to small, covering a certain rage of cooling capacity are prepared foran outdoor unit, allowing to cope with the demand for the wide range of cooling capacity.
With respect to outdoor units, while they need to secure a certain range of cooling capacitywith one enclosure, the space for heat exchanger is required to be almost unified due to thedimensional restriction of enclosures.

Therefore, given the enclosure is the same, theenergy consumption efficiency of units with larger cooling capacity tends to become lessefficient than units with smaller cooling capacity.
In the light of the above, outdoor units sharing the same enclosure and multiple indoor
units to be combined with are handled as one model group, and the target values are set byrelational formulas using the cooling capacity of each class.

23

(i) Idea on air conditioners for stores

Cooling heating average COP by type of indoor unit

In the case of air conditioners for

Simple average value of cooling and heating
average COP of air conditioners for storesstores, while there are many types of2006

indoor units to be combined withoutdoor units, the majority of the2002

combinations

1997

selectedarethe

4-direction cassette type, and the shareis more than half of the total (Table 3).

theintroductionofstandard (Figure 4).

current

targetFigure 4.

Thus, from theCeiling
hidden duct

Ceiling
built in4 direction
cassette

2 direction
cassette

than those of other combinations due to

1 direction
cassette

type has become considerably higher

Ceiling
hanging

On-floor

the combination of 4-direction cassetteWall-hungThe energy consumption efficiency of

Cooling heating average COP of air
conditioners for storesperspective of target setting based on
Top Runner method, it is necessary to establish target standards for the combination of
4-direction cassette type.
Lowe than
5kW

5kW or over andlower than 10kW

4-direction cassette

40.4

53.2

Others

59.6

Total

10kW or over andlower than 20kW

20kW or over
(28kW or lower)

Total

60.6

51.4

54.0

46.8

39.4

48.6

46.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

2 direction

18.3

13.5

8.7

5.0

11.7

1 direction

12.1

7.5

1.3

1.3

5.5

Ceiling hanging

16.4

31.5

50.2

45.8

36.6

Wall-hung

43.9

33.3

11.4

7.0

24.7

Ceiling built-in

5.2

5.8

10.0

6.7

7.2

Ceiling embedded

1.5

2.2

4.8

9.5

3.8

On-the-floor

2.6

6.3

13.8

24.7

10.4

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Other status

Sub total

Table 3.

Composition ratio (%) of air conditioner combinations for store by indoor units infiscal year 2006

With respect to the target standard values for the combinations of indoor units otherthan 4-direction cassette, it becomes difficult for them to achieve the targets, if the samevalue is adopted as it for the 4-direction cassette types whose share almost reaches the halfof the total air conditioners for stores. To the contrary, if the target value is to be set for24

combinations of each indoor unit, the categorization becomes too meticulous; therefore,
substantial energy saving may not be realized.

Meanwhile, if they are to be excluded

from the target scope, no target value will be made; as a result, substantial energy saving
may not be achieved either.
Therefore, for air conditioners for stores, 2 standards are made, i.e. the standard for
4-direction cassette type as a typical combination and the one for combinations with othertype of indoor units.
As for cooling capacity for which basic classes are set as shown in Attachment 3,
considering the current status that units the cooling capacity of which is lower than 3.6kW
are not being shipped, it is reasonable to change the threshold of the cooling capacity from
5kW to 3.6kW.
Based on the above, 2 standards are established for air conditioners for stores asfollows.
1) Regarding the standard for a combination of 4-direction cassette type indoor unit, it isreasonable to set the value with a relational formula using cooling capacity of eachclass, based on the Top Runner value of the model group made by a combination of one
outdoor unit with one 4-direction cassette type indoor unit (in the case of class thecooling capacity of which is 20kW or over, a combination of one outdoor unit and two
4-direction cassette type indoor units shall be used, because the combination of one
4-direction cassette is rarely shipped for this class).
2) Regarding the standard for a combination with indoor units other than 4-direction
cassette, it is reasonable to set it at the lowered level obtained by multiplying theEnergyconsumption efficiency (APF)
エネルギー消費効率（ＡＰＦ）

standard 1) above by a certain ratio.

7.0
6.0
4.7

5.0

Weighted harmonic average of
4-direction types

4.7

４．３

4.0

4.1

4.1

3.0

３．７
Weighted harmonic average ofcombinations other than
4-direction cassette types

2.0

四方向
4-direction type
Other than 4-direction type
四方向以外

1.0
0.0
0

5

10

15

20

Cooling
capacity (kW)
冷房能力（ｋＷ）

Figure 5. Current status of air conditioners for stores
25

25

30

(ii) Idea on multi air conditioners for buildings
Regarding multi air conditioners for buildings, as the models the cooling capacity ofwhich is lower than 8kW are not available in the market, it is reasonable to integrate theclass for cooling capacity of lower than 5kW into the class for cooling capacity of 5kW orover and lower than 10kW, making a class for cooling capacity of lower than 10kW.
Regarding the establishment of standard value, considering current APF status, it isappropriate to set it with a relational formula using cooling capacity for each class.

Energyconsumption efficiency (APF)
エネルギー消費効率（ＡＰＦ）

6.0
5.0
4.5

4.7

4.2

4.0
3.7

3.0
Weighted harmonic average

2.0
1.0
0.0
0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

冷房能力（ｋＷ）
Cooling
capacity (kW)Figure 6. Current status of multi air conditioners for buildings(iii) Air conditioners for facilities
Regarding air conditioners for facilities, there are duct-connected type and non-duct
type in the market.

Since preconditions for measurement are different from each other, it

is appropriate to categorize them separately.
Regarding cooling capacity, since models with cooling capacity of lower than 14kW are
currently not available in the market, all classes for cooling capacity of lower than 20kW
are integrated.

As a result, there will be two classes prepared for air conditioners forfacilities, i.e. the class for cooling capacity of lower than 20kW and the class for cooling
capacity of 20kW or over.
Meanwhile, as shown in Figure 7, the top values of air conditioners for facilities are notaffected much by the difference in cooling capacity.

It is appropriate to set the target

standard with a constant value instead of a relational formula.

26

Energyconsumption efficiency (APF)
エネルギー消費効率（ＡＰＦ）

6.0
Weighted harmonic average of non-duct type

5.0

4.1

3.8

3.8

3.7

4.0
3.0

Weighted harmonic average of duct-connection type2.0
Non-duct
直吹き形type

1.0

Duct-connection
ダクト接続形type

0.0
0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

Cooling
capacity (kW)
冷房能力（ｋＷ）

Figure 7. Current status of air conditioners for facilities(4) Room for improvement of energy consumption efficiency by future technology advances
Technology development of air conditioners has been undertaken primarily forestablishment of a comfortable living environment.

Although technology development

related to improvement of energy-saving performance has been implemented to accomplish
the current target standards, development of each elemental technology has almost reachedits limit; thus, innovative technology development like those that has been achieved in thepast cannot be expected.

[Examples of major technologies for efficiency improvement of air conditioners]• Compressors: High-efficient compression technology, neodymium magnet, improvementof motor winding, low-iron-loss magnetic steel sheet, reduction of
mechanical loss, reduction of pressure drop in suction/discharge,
sine-wave drive control.
• Fan motor:

IntroductionofDC

motor,

introductionofmultiplepoles/slots,

optimization of core shape, reduction of circuit loss, optimal energization.
• Electronically controlled valve• Heat exchanger: Three-row arrangement of indoor units, multiple folding process,
improvement of fin shape, improvement of pipe arrangement process.
Although these technologies have been introduced into the current Top Runner products,
it can be said that there still remains room for efficiency improvement in individual
technologies, considering the fact that these introduced technologies differ depending on
manufacturers and that each manufacturer is taking its own approach for further
improvement of efficiency.
Taking these circumstances comprehensively into account, effect of technologicalimprovements is expected as follows.

271) Air conditioners for stores:
Taking comprehensively into consideration the above technologies, improvement byapproximately 3% from the Top Runner value is expected. Regarding products in theclass for cooling capacity of 10kW or over, since the area of heat exchanger in an
outdoor unit enlarges, improvement by approximately 4% is expected.
2) Multi air conditioners for buildings:
Taking comprehensively into consideration the above technologies, improvement byapproximately 3% from the Top Runner value is expected.

The Top Runner values oflarger air conditioners such as those for stores are relatively higher than those ofsmaller air conditioners; therefore, approximately 3% improvement is expected in likewise for categories of smaller air conditioners.
3) Air conditioners for facilities:
Taking comprehensively into consideration the above technologies, improvement byapproximately 3% from the Top Runner value is expected.
(2) Specific target standard values (See Figure 8 to Figure 11)
Based on the idea on target standard values stated in paragraph 1 (3), the target
standard values shall be established through determination of Top Runner values anddevelopment of relational formulas, while considering the effects from technologicalimprovement and consistency among categories.
(i) Idea on relational formulas
Idea on a relational formula to calculate target standard values for each category is asshown below.
E = Et − C × (A − B)/B
Where, E, Et, A, B and C are defined as follows.
E: Target standard value for the target model
Et: Top Runner standard value for the relevant category
A: Cooling capacity of the target model
B: Lower cooling capacity bound of the relevant category
C: Decrease coefficient based on cooling capacity increase within a single category
The inclination of the relational formula is calculated from the inclination with which
the target standard value calculated by the relational formula becomes most severe, in
relation to the Top Runner value in each category and the Top Runner value of each cooling
capacity available in the market.
(ii) Top Runner values and theirs relational formulas
The Top Runner values and their relational formulas in this target scope are as follows.
<< Air conditioners for stores (4-direction cassette type only) >>Cooling capacity

Top Runner value and its relational formula

Lower than 3.6kW⎯

28

3.6kW or over and lower than 10kW

E = 5.9 − 0.4 × (A−3.6)/3.6

10kW or over and lower than 20kW

E = 5.7 − 1.2 × (A−10)/10

20kW or over (to 28kW)

E = 4.9 − 1.2 × (A−20)/20<< Multi air conditioners for buildings >>Cooling capacity

Top Runner value and its relational formula

Lower than 10kW

4.8

10kW or over and lower than 20kW

E = 5.4 − 1.1 × (A−10)/10

20kW or over and lower than 40kW

E = 5.6 − 1.3 × (A−20)/20

40kW or over (to 50.4kW)

E = 4.6 − 1.6 × (A−40)/40<< Air conditioners for facilities >>Cooling capacity

Top Runner value
Non-duct type

Duct type

Lower than 20kW

4.5

4.5

20kW or over (to 28kW)

4.7

4.5

(iii) Target standard values
Considering technological improvement expected in each category and consistency
among categories, the target standard values shall be established as follows.
Regarding air conditioners for stores, as stated in (1) describing the idea on theestablishment of target standard values, the target standard values are set for the
category in which outdoor units are combined with 4-direction cassette type indoor units
and for the category in which outdoor units are combined with indoor units other than
4-direction cassette type.

When developing the standard values for the combination ofindoor unit other than 4-direction cassette type, if they are set based on the Top Runnervalues in this category, it may disturb the diversity of indoor units.

To prevent this, they

are set based on the target standard values for the combinations of 4-dimention cassette
type indoor units.
Thus, the target standard values for the combination of indoor units other than
4-direction cassette type are set at approximately 85% of the target standard values for the
combination of 4-direction cassette type indoor units.

In this standard setting,consideration shall be given to the values of the combinations of indoor units other than
4-direction cassette types obtained from Top Runner models of the combination of
4-direction cassette types for each cooling capacity class, and the difference between theweighted harmonic averages of the combinations of 4-direction cassette type and of the
combinations of the others, and other factors.
When calculating the APF, the value shall be rounded down to the first decimal place,truncating at the second decimal place.
using the target standard formulas.
29

Therefore, the same applies to the calculation

<< Air conditioners for stores >>Type of indoor unit

Cooling capacity

4-direction cassette
type

Lower than 3.6kW
3.6kW or over andlower than 10kW
10kW or over andlower than 20kW
20kW or over(to 28kW)
Lower than 3.6kW
3.6kW or over andlower than 10kW
10kW or over andlower than 20kW
20kW or over(to 28kW)

Other than
4-direction cassette
type

Target standard value and target standard
value calculation formulaE = 6.0
E = 6.0 − 0.3 × (A−3.6)/3.6= 6.0 − 0.083 × (A−3.6)
E = 6.0 − 1.2 × (A−10)/10= 6.0 − 0.12 × (A−10)
E = 5.1 − 1.2 × (A−20)/20= 5.1 − 0.060 (A−20)
E = 5.1
E = 5.1 − 0.3 × (A−3.6)/3.6= 5.1 − 0.083 × (A−3.6)
E = 5.1 − 1.0 × (A−10)/10= 5.1 − 0.10 × (A−10)
E = 4.3 − 1.0 × (A−20)/20= 4.3 − 0.050 × (A−20)<< Multi air conditioners for buildings >>Cooling capacity
Lower than 10kW
10kW or over and lower than 20kW
20kW or over and lower than 40kW
40kW or over (to 50.4kW)

Target standard value and target standard
value calculation formulaE = 5.7
E = 5.7 − 1.1 × (A−10)/10=5.7 − 0.11 × (A−10)
E = 5.7 − 1.3 × (A−20)/20= 5.7 − 0.065 × (A−20)
E = 4.8 − 1.6 × (A−40)/40= 4.8 − 0.040 × (A−40)<< Air conditioners for facilities >>Cooling capacity

Target standard values
Non-duct type

Duct type

Lower than 20kW

4.9

4.7

20kW or over (to 28kW)

4.9

4.7

30

7.0

Energy consumption
efficiency (APF)
エネルギー消費効率（ＡＰＦ）

6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0

四方向 type
4-direction
四方向以外
Other
than 4-direction type
Targetvalue (4-direction type)
目標値（四方向）

1.0

Targetvalue (other than 4-direction type)
目標値（四方向以外）

0.0
0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

冷房能力（ｋＷ）
Cooling
capacity (kW)Figure 8.

Target standard values for air conditioners for stores

Energy エネルギー消費効率（ＡＰＦ）
consumption efficiency (APF)

6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

Cooling
冷房能力（ｋＷ）
capacity (kW)Figure 9.

Target standard values for multi air conditioners for buildings

31

60.0

Energyconsumption efficiency (APF)
エネルギー消費効率（ＡＰＦ）

6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

冷房能力（ｋＷ）
Cooling
capacity (kW)Energyconsumption efficiency (APF)
エネルギー消費効率（ＡＰＦ）

Figure 10.

Target standard values for air conditioners for facilities (non-duct type)

6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

Cooling
capacity (kW)
冷房能力（ｋＷ）

Figure 11. Target standard values for air conditioners for facilities (duct type)

32

30.0

Attachment 5

Energy Consumption Efficiency of Air Conditioner and the Measurement Method
1. Basic Idea
When air conditioners were designated as specific equipment under the Top RunnerStandard in 1998, “COP (Coefficient of Performance)” was adopted as the indicator to
express the energy consumption efficiency.

It was expressed by the figure dividing thecooling capacity (kW) by power consumption for cooling (kW) (hereinafter called “cooling
COP”) and the figure dividing the heating capacity (kW) by power consumption for heating(kW) (hereinafter called “heating COP”).

Air conditioners used for both cooling and heating

took the average of cooling COP and heating COP as the coefficient.
However, the evaluation using this indicator focuses on constant speed models, and it
is said to be not always the best evaluation method these days when inverter models makeup the majority of the market.

Therefore, it is deemed reasonable to adopt the energy

consumption efficiency throughout a year (APF: Annual Performance Factor) anew as theenergy efficiency performance evaluation indicator which is more suitable to represent theactual status.
As regards air conditioners for home use the cooling capacity of which is 4kW or lower(air conditioners used for both cooling and heating and limited to non-duct, wall-hung type),
which were studied by the last Air Conditioner Evaluation Standard Subcommittee andwhose standards were stipulated in September 2006, the annual performance factor (APF)
was adopted as the indicator expressing the energy consumption efficiency, and the target
standard values were set using this indicator.
2. Specific Energy Consumption Efficiency and Measurement Method“Annual performance factor (APF)” is used as the indicator expressing energy
consumption efficiency of air conditioners.

As for the method to measure energy

consumption efficiency, the calculation method stipulated by Japanese Industrial Standards(JIS) C9612: 2005 (room air conditioners) is used for those for home use, and the calculation
method stipulated by JIS B8616: 2006 (package air conditioners) is used for those forbusiness use.
3. Annual Performance Factor (APF)
Performance indicator under the current energy conservation law is COP in rated
conditions for cooling and heating.
However, aiming at evaluations representing the actual usage, there is a problem in
performing them under rated conditions only, because the efficiency of air conditioners

33

changes depending on load and outside temperature. Furthermore, in the case of inverter
models which are dominant now, the performance depends on the number of revolution ofcompressor (performance-variable type room air conditioners).
In the light of the above, the annual performance factor (APF) was stipulated.

As aresult, the evaluation of energy consumption efficiency which matches the actual usage
becomes possible, while considering various factors: buildings in which air conditioners areused, load conditions such as applications, outside temperature occurrence hours duringcooling/heating period, and efficiency of air conditioners along with performance change
which is a characteristic of inverter models.
The following table shows the comparison of COP and APF.
Table 1.

Comparison of COP and APF

Cooling heating average COP
Calculation
methodAnnual Performance Factor (APF)

Cooling heating average COP = (Cooling

Ratio of the sum of heat amount (Wh)rated COP + Heating rated COP) / 2

removed from and added to the indoor air

Where, rated COP is a value dividing

throughout cooling and heating periods to theperformance (W) at a rated point bysum of energy (Wh) consumed during thepower consumption (W) at that time.

same periods.

(Evaluation shall be made under bothcooling and heating conditions)
Measurement 2 points cooling rated
points5 points cooling rated, cooling intermediate,

heating rated

heating rated, heating intermediate,
heating low temperature

Features- Measurement points are as few as 2

- Measurement points are as many as 5

points, making the measurement

points, making the measurement timeeasier.

longer.

- Measured values represent efficiency at- Efficiency closely representing the actual

the rated points, and not the actual

usage can be obtained due to the calculation

usage.

taking into consideration the intermediate
performances which frequently occurs in
actual usage.

(1) Conditions for calculating the annual performance factor (APF)
Basic factors of building load used as the conditions for calculating the annual
performance factor (APF) are provided in Table 2 below.

As the assumed building for

calculating APF, JIS C9612: 2005 adopts “stand alone wooden house”, and JIS B8616:2006
adopts “stand-alone store” and “office” in buildings.
Cooling load and heating load are set in consideration of heat transmission load, sunlight load, ventilation, internal heat generation, etc. which are appropriate for each34

house/building.
Table 2.

Outline of building

Basic factors of assumed building load

House
Stand-alone wooden
house, first floor, facing
south

Store
Stand-alone store,
first floor, facing
east

OfficeMiddle floor of multiple
story building, facingeast

1.25×0.82

1.11

0.55

23°C

21°C

17°C

17°C

15°C

11°C

Cooling andheating load ratio
Outsidetemperature whencooling load
becomes 0.
Outsidetemperature when
heating load
becomes 0.

As regards the hours when cooling or heating load occurs, taking Tokyo as a model,
occurrence hours of every outside temperature are recorded under the conditions listed inTable 3.
Table 3.

Cooling and heating operating days and hours (Tokyo)
House

Stand-alone store

OfficeCooling period

6/2 − 9/21

5/23 − 10/10

4/16 − 11/8

Heating period

10/28 − 4/14

11/21 − 4/11

12/14 − 3/23

Operating days a week

7 days7 days6 daysOperating hours a day

6:00 to 24:00

8:00 to 21:00

8:00 to 20:00(2) Calculation of total load in a period
The annual performance factor (APF) can be obtained by dividing the total load in aperiod by the energy consumption in the same period.

In the calculation of total load in aperiod for air conditioners, load and occurrence hours according to outside temperature aredifferent for house, stand-alone store and office. The following figures illustrate the method
for calculating the total loads of cooling and heating periods.

35

(A) House
1) Outside temperature and building loadRated cooling capacity

Load (kW)1.25 times the rated
cooling capacity

Load of house

Heating load

Heating loadzero

Cooling load

Cooling loadzeroOutside temperature (°C)2) Occurrence hours of each outside temperature

Heating period

Occurrence hours (h)Cooling period

Outside temperature (°C)

Load total (kWh)3) Annual load at each outside temperature

Total load in heating period

Total load in cooling period

Outside temperature (°C)362)

(B) Stand-alone store
1) Outside temperature and building load
1.11times the rated
cooling capacity

Coincides with the
rated cooling

Load (kW)Load of store

Heating load

Heating loadzero

Cooling load

Cooling loadzeroOutside temperature (°C)

Occurrence hours (h)2) Occurrence hours of each outside temperature

Cooling period

Heating period

Outside temperature (°C)

Load total (kWh)3) Annual load at each outside temperature

Total load in heating period

Total load in cooling period

Outside temperature (°C)

37

(C) Office

Load (kW)1) Outside temperature and building load
Coincides with rated
cooling capacity

Load of office
0.55times the rated
cooling capacity

Heating load

Heating loadzero

Cooling load

Cooling loadzeroOutside temperature (°C)

Occurrence hours (h)2) Occurrence hours of each outside temperature

Cooling period

Heating period

Outside temperature (°C)

Load total (kWh)3) Annual load at each outside temperature

Total load in heating period

Total load in cooling period

Outside temperature (°C)

38(3) Calculation of total energy consumption in a period(i) Measurement point
Performance values used in the conventional cooling and heating average COP
represent 2 performance points under the rated condition, i.e. a cooling condition withoutside temperature at 35°C and a standard heating condition with outside temperature at
7°C.

In the concept of APF, 2 more performance points are added, which are under anintermediate cooling condition and an intermediate heating condition where theperformance is adjusted to one-half level, using the same outside temperature condition as
above.

Further, the performance value at the rated heating low temperature capacitywith outside temperature at 2°C is also added.

Consequently, APF uses 5 points in total.

Load, capacity (kW)<< Change of capacity according to measurement points and outside temperature >>Heating low
temperature

Heating
standard

Cooling rated

Heating intermediate
Heating load

Cooling load

Cooling intermediate

Outsidetemperature (°C)

<Classification of operating state>
Operation
at lowtemperature
capacity

Operation
betweenintermediate
capacity andstandard
capacity

Operation atintermediate
capacity or
below

Operation atintermediate
capacity or
below

Operation
betweenintermediate
capacity andratedcapacity

Operation at
rated
capacity

Operation
between standard
capacity and low
temperature
capacity

Outsidetemperature (°C)(ii) Classification of operating state
1) In cooling, taking into account the change of capacity due to outside temperature
calculated from the evaluation points at rated cooling capacity and intermediatecooling capacity, following scopes are made for the building loads:

the scope of outside

temperature in which the load is handled by operation at intermediate or lower cooling
capacity, the scope of outside temperature in which the load is handled by operation
between intermediate cooling capacity and rated cooling capacity, and the scope ofoutside temperature in which the load is handled by cooling rated operation.
392) Meanwhile, calculating the change of capacity due to outside temperature using theevaluation points at rated heating standard capacity, intermediate heating capacity
and heating low temperature capacity, following scopes are made: the scope of outside
temperature in which the load is handled by the operation at intermediate or lower
heating capacity, the scope of outside temperature in which the load is handled byoperation between intermediate heating capacity and heating standard capacity, andthe scope of outside temperature in which the load is handled by operation at heating
standard capacity and hating low temperature capacity, and the scope of temperaturein which the load is handled by operation at heating low temperature capacity.

(For

the scope in which the load cannot be covered by operation at heating low temperature
capacity, assuming that this shortage of capacity is covered by operation of anotherelectric heater, power consumption of which shall be included in the total power
consumption).
(iii) COP corresponding to outside temperature
1) COP of air conditioners is calculated at each outside temperature under each operatingstate corresponding to the building load, in consideration of the relation between thechange of capacity based on outside temperature and the change of power consumption.
2) For heating, the change of COP caused by the change of outside temperature issimilarly calculated for each class of operating state.
(iv) Calculation of energy consumption
1) From the load based on temperature and COP at each outside temperature, power
consumption at an outside temperature is calculated.

From power consumption andoccurrence hours, energy consumption (kWh) for cooling building is calculated for eachoutside temperature.

By totaling energy consumed for cooling operation at eachoutside temperature, energy consumption (kWh) in cooling period is obtained.
2) Similarly, for heating, from the load based on temperature and COP at each outside
temperature, power consumption at an outside temperature is calculated.

From

power consumption and occurrence hours, energy consumption (kWh) for heatingbuilding is calculated for each outside temperature.

By totaling energy consumed forheating operation at each outside temperature, energy consumption (kWh) in heating
period is obtained.
(4) Annual Performance Factor (APF)
The annual performance factor is calculated from the total load at cooling andheating operations and the energy consumption during these periods.
APF=

40

Total load during cooling period + Total load during heating period
Energy consumption during cooling period + Energy consumption during heating period(5) APF of multi air conditioners for home use
The APF of multi air conditioners for home use shall be calculated according to themethod stipulated by Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) C9612: 2005 (room air
conditioners).

In doing this, the connection between an outdoor unit and indoor units

must be the one that makes the ratio of the indoor unit's total nominal capacity to the
outdoor unit's nominal capacity to be 1 or closer to 1, while connecting indoor units
which allow for 100% of outdoor unit’s nominal capacity.
(6) APF of air conditioners for business use the rated cooling capacity of which is over 28kW
The APF of air conditioners for business use the rated cooling capacity of which isover 28kW shall be calculated according to the calculation method stipulated by JIS
B8616: 2006 (package air conditioners).

In doing this, the number of indoor units

connected must be appropriate for the capacity of outdoor unit.

41

Attachment 6

Air Conditioner Evaluation Standard Subcommittee
Energy Efficiency Standard Subcommittee of the Advisory Committee for
Natural Resources and Energy
Background of Holding

First Subcommittee Meeting (June 13, 2007)• Disclosure of the Air Conditioner Evaluation Standard Subcommittee• Current status of air conditioners• Scope of air conditioners to be covered• Energy consumption efficiency of air conditioners and the measurement method

Second Subcommittee Meeting (September 21, 2007)• Categories for target setting for air conditioners (for home use)
• Target standard values and target fiscal year for air conditioners (for home use).

Third Subcommittee Meeting (February 12, 2008)• Categories for target setting for air conditioners (for business use)
• Target standard values and target fiscal year for air conditioners (for business use)

Fourth Subcommittee Meeting (February 22, 2008)• Interim summary report

Interim report was open for public comments during the period from March 1, 2008
through March 30, 2008; and no comment was received.
was adopted as the final report.

42

As a result, the interim reportAttachment 7

Air Conditioner Evaluation Standard Subcommittee, Energy Efficiency Standards
Subcommittee of the Advisory Committee on Natural Resources and Energy
List of Members

Chairman: TAKAMOTO SAITO

Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo

Members: SATORU AKAMA

Assistant Chairman, Business Air Conditioner Committee,
Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry
Association

HIROSHI ASANO

Professor in Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Graduate School of Engineering, University of TokyoKAZUO UENO

Deputy Director, Energy Technology Research Institute,
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science andTechnology

AKIRA OKAGAKI

Executive Officer and Principal Consultant, NIKKENSEKKEI Research Institute

HIROYUKI KUDO

General Manager, Technology Dept., Energy Conservation
Center, JapanHARUKI SATO

Professor, Department of System Design Engineering,
Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University

KIKUKO TATSUMIManaging Director & Chairperson of Environment
Committee, Nippon Association of Consumer Specialists

KIYOSHI NAGASAWA

Chairman of Home Air Conditioner Committee, Japan
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association

EIJI HIHARA

Professor Specialized in Environmental Studies, Graduate
School of Frontier Science, University of Tokyo

CHIHARU MURAKOSHI

Director and Vice President, Jyukankyo ResearchInstitute Inc.

43

Reference 1

Current Status of Air Conditioners

I. Air conditioners for home use and business use
Air conditioners used in houses and buildings are electrically driven and directly cool orheat indoor spaces.

They are roughly classified into for home use and for business use.

The number of air conditioners for business use shipped in a year is approximately 1/10of those for home use. But the capacity of an air conditioner for business use is approximately
6 times the capacity of an air conditioner for home use.
Market size of air conditioners for home use and for business use

Air conditioners for home use
Number of units shipped in a
year: 7,573,000
Average cooling capacity:
Approx. 2.5kW

Air conditioners for business use
Number of unit shipped in a
year: 808,000
Average cooling capacity: Approx.
15kW
Source: Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry, FY2005 Survey

With respect to air conditioners for business use, there are some models which are driven
by gas engine instead of electricity.

In the case of those for large buildings, central air

conditioning systems which cool or heat indoor spaces by circulating cold water cooled withthermal source units are normally installed, instead of air conditioners which cool and/or heatindoor spaces directly.

44II. Current status of air conditioners for business use
II.1
II.1.1Market trend
Air conditioners for business use
Air conditioners for business use are designed and manufactured to be primarily used

at offices, stores and others in industrial/commercial buildings.

They are also called“package air conditioners”.
Having the same basis as air conditioners for home use, they electrically drive thefreezing cycle and directly cool and heat rooms.

There are many types based on unit

structure, form of indoor units, etc. to support various building structure and applications.
They are currently classified into “air conditioners for stores”, “multi air conditioners
for buildings” and “air conditioners for facilities” according to the main building applications,and catalogues are prepared separately for each type.
(1) Air conditioners for storesThose are mainly for small-scale stores and offices.

The representative ones arethose having 4-direction air outlet on the ceiling, which are often seen inside stores.
There are so many other types of indoor units such as ceiling hanging type, ceilinghidden type, on-the-floor type, etc. The range of their cooling capacity is as wide as
from around 3kW to 30kW.

It is typical to combine one outdoor unit and one indoor unit

with an air thermal source and a separate type system; however, there are also types
consisting of two or three indoor units (in this case, they are not individually controlled
because they are operated in the same room).
<Various indoor units>
4-direction blowing
cassette type

Ceiling buried andhidden type

Ceiling hanging type

<Outdoor unit>
Wall-hung type45

(2) Multi air conditioners for buildings
Those are air conditioners systemized mainly for small to medium scale buildings,
combining modularized outdoor units to which many indoor units are connected,
resulting in having a capability to control each indoor unit separately.

Most common

system is air thermal source, separate type, but there is also water thermal source type.

(Multi air conditioners for building)(3) Air conditioners for facilitiesThose are frequently used in large space such as in factories, specificallybox-shaped air conditioners put on the floor.
conditioners for business use.

They are the original form of air

Water cooling integrated type and air cooling remotecondenser type are used to be common before, but separate type air conditioners arerecently increasing.
There are also “wall-through type” air conditioners, at the installation site of which
the wall of perimeter (window-side) of medium size buildings is penetrated.

Air cooling, standard
on-the-floor type air
conditioners for facilities

Wall-through type46

Number of air conditioners for business use and total cooling capacity(Reference)
Equipment other than electric air
conditioners for business use

Electric air conditioners for business use
808 thousand units
業務用エアコンの分野別の台数と総冷房能力
Approximately
12.2 million kW
Gas engine

heat pump air
conditioners[For stores]
653 thousand
Approx. 7.5
million kW[Multi type forbuildings]
97 thousand
Approx. 3 million kW[For facilities]
58 thousand
Approx. 1.7
million kW

35.9 thousand
Approx. 1.6
million kW

Chilling
unit

Absorption
freezerTurbofreezer

9.9
thousand2.4
thousand

0.5
thousandApprox.
800
thousandkW

Approx
1.6
millionkW

Approx1
millionkW

Note 1) Source: Japan Refrigeration and Air conditioning Industry Association,
FY 2005 Survey2) kW above is the unit of cooling capacity or chilling capacity (not theunit of power consumption).

II.1.2

Status of domestic shipment
The shipment of air conditioners for business use was rapidly increasing until 1990,

reaching 1.08 million units in 1991.

It decreased after that, but is still keeping 750

thousand a year level in recent years.

Transition of shipment of air conditioners for business use
Unit: Ten thousand

Fiscal YearThe shipment of air conditioners for business use as a whole has been recovering inrecent years as the recovery of trend of economy such as capital investment.
growth of multi air conditioners for buildings is notable.

47

Especially,

Recent trend of product type
(Unit: thousand)
2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

708.3

725.3

648.2

684.9

758.6

808.0

590.8

603.6

528.3

554.5

617.6

652.8

67.5

68.2

75.0

80.5

87.2

97.3

50.5

53.6

44.9

49.8

53.8

57.8

Total number of air conditioner
for business use
Air conditioners for stores
Multi air conditioners forbuildings
Air conditioners for facilities

Source: Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association

II.1.3

Transition of the number of units imported
The import of air conditioners for business use was almost none before, but it has beenslightly increasing in recent years.
(Unit: thousand)
Quantity imported
Ratio to domestic
shipment（%）

2000
⎯
⎯

2001
⎯
⎯

2002
⎯
⎯

2003
16.9
2.5%

2004
21.4
2.9%

2005
31.8
3.9%

Source: Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association

II.1.4

Change from HCFC refrigerant
To protect the ozone layer, following the total abolishment of CFC in 1995, HCFC also

became a subject of restriction, which is basically to be completely abolished by 2020 underinternational agreement.
HCFC had been used for air conditioners for business use.

However, the voluntary

program was drawn up to switch the refrigerant to HFC by January, 2004 when the
restriction on HCFC started, and the change to HFC whose ozone layer destruction
coefficient is 0 had been promoted since then.

This refrigerant change was almost

completed at the time of 2002 among air conditioners for stores and for buildings, followedby the completion of the change among air conditioners for facilities and special units.

48

Change to HFC refrigerant among air conditioners for business use

There are some types in HFC refrigerant, and air conditioners for business use would
frequently use R407C the characteristics of which were close to these of HCFC (R22).
However, following a review of basic structure of air conditioners in response to the situation
so compelling to require further energy saving, transition to R410A was hammered out
again and has been going under way fast.
II.1.5

Changes of energy consumption efficiency
Due to the two oil crises in the 1970s, necessity of energy saving in equipment wasrecognized, and the energy consumption efficiency of air conditioners for business use wassteadily improved.

Since Kyoto conference on the prevention of global warming in 1997

(COP3), interests in energy saving in equipment has been on the rise again.

The industryof air conditioners for business use took up the matter as the most important issue alongwith the change from HCFC.
To promote energy saving, inverter control was introduced and it is now spreading
rapidly.
Introduction of inverter control to air conditioners for stores

Inverter model

As a result of these efforts, cooling and heating average COP of air conditioners forbusiness use in a typical range was raised from 2.7 in 1997 to 3.5 or above in 2005.
49

Transition of cooling and heating average COP of recent air
conditioners for business use
Weighted average of air
conditioners for both cooling andheating, for stores, and 7.1kW or
above

1997
2.7

Class of air conditioners for stores

2002
2.8

2004
3.4

2005
3.5

Source: Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association

Cooling and heating average COP by the type of indoor unit was raised as a whole by
the introduction of energy saving technologies to outdoor unit, while it was mostly achieved
by air conditioners with 4-direction cassette type indoor units which account for nearly halfof the total.
Transition of cooling and heating average COP by type of indoor unit
Simple average of cooling and heating
average COP of air conditioners for stores
2006

2002

50

Ceiling hidden
and ductCeiling built-incassette

4-direction

cassette

2-direction

cassette

1-direction

Ceiling hanging

Wall-hungOn-the-floor

1997II.1.6

Penetration rate and number of units installed per site
There are no relevant data available for air conditioners for business use.

II.1.7

II.2

Main domestic manufacturers
Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, Ltd.

DENSO ACE

Toshiba Carrier
Corporation

NIPPON PMAC CO., LTD

Hitachi Appliance, Inc.

Matsushita ElectricIndustrial Co., Ltd.

MITSUBISHI HEAVY
INDUSTRIES,LTD .

Mitsubishi Electric
Corporation(In the order of Japanese syllabary)

Energy saving efforts in air conditioners for business use(1) Compressor performance improvement technology• Highly efficient compressor motor“Compressor motor efficiency” has been raised to approximately 95% by changing
AC motor (inductor) to highly efficient DC motor and by improving the magnet.
Compressor
AC motor
DC motor(surface magnet)

Reluctance DC motor (buried magnet)

Efficiency (%)

Buried magnet motor

Surface magnet
motor
Induction motor

Revolution (rpm)Buried magnet motor

Surface magnet motor

Iron core
Rare earthmagnetFerritemagnet• Improvement of compressor efficiency
In addition to the efficiency improvement of compressor motor as mentioned above,
further energy saving was achieved by reducing mechanical loss by enhancing as highas possible the preciseness of machine processing for the sliding parts and by reducing
the pressure loss of refrigerant passage.

51

(2) Fan performance improvement technology• Highly efficient fan motor
Fan motors of both indoor units and outdoor units have been changed fromconventional AC motors to efficient DC brushless motors.

Besides, the technology

developed for compressor motors which consume large amount of power was introduced
to improve the efficiency.
• Efficiency improvement of fan
Generally, propeller fans are used for outdoor units of air conditioners.

By

improving and reforming the wing shape, while reducing the noise, it became possible tosend a great deal of air, thus, achieving high efficiency.

Noise reduction amount (dBA)2-dimentional wing

3-dimentional wingHybrid wing

2-dimentionalwing
3-dimentionalwing

Hybrid wingNow(3) Heat exchanger performance improvement technology• Highly efficient heat transfer ducts for heat exchangers
Smooth ducts without having inner surface machine processed, which is similar tocopper ducts, were originally used for heat exchangers; however, to promote energy
saving, ducts with inner groove were developed. Besides, the groove shape was
optimized to enlarge heat transmission area and enhance the turbulent flow effect.

52

Performance ratio

Spiral groove
Asymmetrical groove (High lead angle,(Seam welded duct) groove height
lowered)Spiral groove(Trapezoidal groove)
Spiral groove(Convex groove)

Evaporation heattransmission rate
Condensing heattransmission rate

Smoothduct

Now

Heat transmission rate

φ7 multi louver(Waffle +louver)Multi slit

φ9.5 slit

φ9.5 plate

φ8 fine louver(Waffle + louver)φ9.5 waffle

Now• Highly efficient heat exchanger fins
Originally, flat aluminum plates were used for heat exchangers.

To improveenergy efficiency, the heat transmission area was enlarged (waffle fins), thedevelopment of the temperature boundary layer on the fin surface was contained (louver
fins), and the airflow resistance was reduced to increase blowing air (smaller diameterof heat transmission duct).
II.3

Future approach to energy saving and challenges
As it now stands, increasing size of a heat exchanger is a key factor for energy

efficiency improvement.
II.3.1

Various problems accompanying growing size of air conditioners(1) Installability
In Japan, the pitch of ceiling aggregate to which ceiling materials are fixed is instandard 910mm.
860mm.

The width of aggregate is 50mm and the space between aggregates is

The size of ceiling buried cassette type air conditioners, which account foralmost the half of air conditioners for business use, is fixed to approximately 840mm x840mm that is a size to fit the space between aggregates.
If the size of air conditioners becomes larger than this, they may no longer besuitable for stores or buildings.
When replacing multiple outdoor units installed in a limited space such as therooftop of buildings, if the size of a unit becomes larger, it is concerned that the same
53

number of outdoor units cannot be installed, making the replacement impossible.
(2) Comfort
It is concerned that the further growth in size of a heat exchanger and a fan might
damage the basic comfort.

That is to say, “evaporation temperature rises and thus

humidity in a room is difficult to be cleared” in the case of cooling operation; and“condensation temperature is dropped so that it doesn’t feel warm because thetemperature of air sent out is lower than human body temperature” in the case ofheating operation.
(3) Resource saving
Increased size of equipment might also increase the amount of material used, suchas copper and aluminum for heat exchangers, and steel sheets and resin for cabinets.
Also, the refrigerant used will increase.

Thus, problems will remain in view of resourcesaving.
As regards the rare earth elements used for the high function magnet, it isimportant to secure stable supply of such materials.

If failed in doing so, it may retard

the spread of high performance equipment.
II.3.2

Relationship between difference in running cost and sales priceIn order to achieve the next efficiency level of future energy efficient models, it isessential to increase size of a heat exchanger, which leads to cost increase for material
input.

Therefore, it is necessary to advance product development, while considerationmust be given to whether an increase in initial cost due to introduction of anenergy-efficient model can be compensated for by the decreased running cost within a
product life.

It is also important to promote the development of energy-efficient models

in a way prevents the total cost increase for a manufacture.

In the future, thediscussion on how energy saving should be compatible with economic rationality,
including the relationship between a manufacture etc and a user, will be required.

54

III.

Current status of air conditioners for home use

III.1

Market trend

III.1.1

Air conditioners for home use
Air conditioners for home use, also called “room air conditioners”, are designed andmanufactured for the use for rooms in regular houses.

Having the same basis as air

conditioners for business use, they electrically drive the freezing cycle and directly cooland/or heat rooms.

1-to-1 separate type, wall-hung type air conditioners for both coolingand heating, the cooling capacity of which is 4kW or lower was studied last time; and theyaccount for 90% (6,827,000 units) of total products.

Models other than the above arereviewed this time.
Air conditioners for home use, the number of units shipped
Separate type
Bothcooling

Single (1 to 1)

WindowandWall-hung type

type

heating
4

Other than

Cooling capacity

Cooling capacity

wall-hung

4kW or lower

over 4kW

type

6,827

476

Sub
Multi

total

68

7,485

110

Cooling

88

Only

Total

7,573

(Unit: thousand, fiscal year 2005)
Source: Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association

Window type is an integrated style of product installed into the window.

Other thanwall-hung type, forms of indoor units include ceiling cassette type, wall buried type, and onthe-floor type.

Multi type, which is a kind of separate type, is referred to those capable ofhaving 2 or more indoor units connected to one outdoor unit.
(1 to 1 air conditioners)(Outdoor
unit)
（室外機）

(Ceilingburied cassette type
（天井埋込カセット形室内機）
indoor unit)（壁掛形室内機）(Wall-hung type indoor unit)（壁埋込形室内機）(Wall
buried indoor unit)

55(On-the-Floor
type（床置形室内機）
indoor unit)(Multi type)(Window type)(Indoor unit)(Indoor unit)(Indoor unit)(Outdoor unit)

III.1.2

Status of domestic shipment

Although shipments of air conditions for home use tend to be greatly affected byclimate factors, they have been stabilized around 7.0 million units for past ten years.
Transition of shipment of air conditioners for home use(Unit: Ten thousand)（会計年度）
Source: Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association

III.1.3

Transition of the number of units imported
The majority of imported air conditioners for home use are from overseas production

bases of Japanese manufacturers. The percentage of air conditioners for home use that are
manufactured overseas and sold in Japan is estimated to be approximately 50%.

56

(Unit: thousand)Fiscal year

Import

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

World Total

1,304

2,071

2,119

3,052

3,732

China

752

1,625

1,743

2,611

2,854

Thailand

252

160

157

324

692

Malaysia

215

152

79

34

118

Source: Ministry of Finance, Customs Statistics(Reference)(Unit: thousand)Fiscal year

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

Domestic shipment

7,521

6,866

6,466

7,037

7,573

Source: Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association

III.1.4

Change from HCFC (restricted substance) refrigerantWith respect to air conditioner for home use, most of the models have already changed

to HFC (substitute substance) refrigerant which does not destroy the ozone layer in time forthe first target fiscal year for major models in 2004 under Energy Conservation Law.
Change to HFC refrigerant for air
conditioners for home use（社）日本冷凍空調工業会調べ
Year
Estimation

III.1.5

Changes of energy consumption efficiency
Average COP (Coefficient of Performance: energy consumption efficiency) of weighted

harmonic average of wall-hung type air conditioners for home use the cooling capacity ofwhich is over 4.0kW up to 7.1kW or lower has changed as follows.

57

Changes of cooling andheating average COP

Year

Category
Cooling
Unit form
capacityOver
Wall-hung
4.0kW uptype
to 7.1kW
Category
Cooling
Unit form
capacityOver
Wall-hung
4.0kW uptype
to 7.1kW

Industry weighted harmonic average cooling and heating average
COP achievement
FY1999FY2000FY2001

FY2002

FY2003

FY2004

FY2005

2.69

2.90

3.15

3.31

3.44

3.50

3.53

Targetvalue
3.17

Achievement rate (%)
FY1999FY2000FY2001

FY2002

FY2003

FY2004

FY2005

85

91

99

104

109

110

111

III.1. 6 Penetration rate and number of units owned per household
Penetration of air conditioners for home use is near the saturation point.

However,

according to the statistic survey of housing/lands by the Ministry of Internal Affairs andCommunications, the number of rooms per house is 4.77 rooms, so the number of air
conditioners owned by a household will possibly increase. In FY2006, the number of air
conditioners owned per household has reached 2.9 units.

March, 1986
March, 1991

Penetration rate
(%)
54.6
68.1

Number of owned
air conditioners
88.0
126.5

Number of owned air
conditioners per household
1.6
1.9

March, 1996

77.2

166.1

2.2

March, 2001

86.2

217.4

2.5

March, 2006

88.2

255.3

2.9

Year/Month

Number of owned air conditioners: per 100 households
Source: Cabinet Office, Survey of consumer behavior

III.1.7 Main domestic manufacturers
CORONA CORPORATIONSANYO Electric Co.,Ltd.
DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, Ltd. CHOFU SEISAKUSYO,Ltd.
58

SHARP CORPORATION
Toshiba Carrier Corporation

Hitachi Appliance, Inc.
MITSUBISHI HEAVY
INDUSTRIES,LTD

FUJITSU GENERAL
LIMITED
Mitsubishi Electric
Corporation

Matsushita ElectricIndustrial Co., Ltd.

(In the order of Japanese Syllabary)

III.2

Technological approach to energy saving in air conditioners for home use(1) Compressor performance improvement technology
Efficiency of a compressor is represented by “motor efficiency” in a power output
section and by “total heat-insulating efficiency” which indicates how much compression
actually takes place using the obtained motive energy without loss.

Currently, the“compressor motor efficiency” is approximately 95%, and “total heat-insulating
efficiency” is over 80%.
Motor Efficiency

Freezing Year
Source: Japan Refrigeration and Air
Conditioning Industry Association

Total Heat Insulating Efficiency (%)

Motor Efficiency (%)

Total Heat Insulating Efficiency

Freezing Year
Source: Japan Refrigeration and Air
Conditioning Industry Association(2) Fan motor performance improvement technology
Currently, “fan motor efficiency” is greater than 80%.

Motor Efficiency (%)

Fan Motor Efficiency(Note) Average of indoor/outdoor motors

Freezing Year

Source: Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association

59

(3) Growing size of heat exchangers
An attempt has been made to save energy through reduction of the compression
ratio by increasing size of a heat exchanger.
(Reference)

Cooling capacity 5.0kW (total values of indoor and outdoor units)

Cubic Capacity

Mass

Highest-COP

Lowest-COP

Highest-COP

Lowest-COP

model

model

model

model

Year

Year

Source: Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association

Dimensions and mass of highest-COP and lowest-COP air conditioners

Lowest-COP model in 2003

Highest-COP model in 2006

Unit of Dimensions: mm
Source: Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association60

III.3Future approach to energy saving and challenges
The development of elemental technologies such as compressors and fan motors has

already advanced considerably so far; thus, further drastic improvement is not expected atpresent.

As it now stands, increasing size of a heat exchanger is a key factor for energy

efficiency improvement.

Various problems accompanying growing size of air conditioners

are as follows.
(1) Installability
There is a restriction by dimensional standards of houses. If indoor units becomelarger, it is concerned that they may no longer suitable as household equipment.
(2) Comfort
It is concerned that the further growth in size of a “heat exchanger/fan” might
damage the basic comfort.

That is to say, “evaporation temperature rises and thus

humidity in a room is difficult to be cleared” in the case of cooling operation.
(3) Resource saving
Increased size of products might also increase the amount of copper and aluminum
used, in particular, which are materials for a heat exchanger.
standpoint of resource saving, the problem still remains.

61

Thus, from theReference 2

Examples of Main Technologies for Improving Efficiency of Air Conditioners(1) Compressor
1)High-efficient compression technology
Compressor is the heart of an air conditioner and requires high-precision
processing technology.
Although a rotary compressor with rotary method was widely adopted before, atwin rotary method or scroll method with better compression efficiency has now beendeveloped and adopted.

Twin Rotary Compressor

Scroll Compressor[Reduction of mechanical loss]
Sliding loss is reduced by improving precision in process of a sliding unit.

In ascroll compressor, swirling scroll and fixed scroll are made to stick together, thereby
reducing leak.

When the sticking force is strong, sliding loss between these scrolls

increases. On the other hand, when the sticking force is weak, a gap appears andcauses leak.

Thus, in order to maintain the minimum sticking force to reduce sliding

loss, a control valve is provided which controls back pressure of the swirling scroll sothat the back pressure can be adjusted based on operating state.
[Reduction of pressure loss in suction/discharge]
An attempt to reduce a pressure loss is being made by improving a shape of
passage.

For instance, a suction passage is made to be tapered for a suction opening,

and a discharge opening is stepped to be expanded.

62

2)

Compressor motor[Neodymium magnet]
An attempt to improve motor efficiency is made by changing ferrite that has
been conventionally used in a rotor to neodymium that has high magnetic flux density.
[Improvement of line area ratio of winding]
A proportion of total coil sectional area within a stator to a stator slot area isreferred to a line-area ratio.

If the line-area ratio could be increased, the coilsectional area could be expanded, thereby reducing copper loss.
In the past, as coil was threaded through a narrow space within a closed stator
and winded, there remained a large dead space in the stator slot.

However,development of a new manufacturing method allows for the high line-area ratio by
winding the coil to the stator divided and spread out.
In addition, coil covering an end face of a stator core can be reduced by directly
coiling the stator (intensive winding), thus also reducing copper loss.

[Low-iron-loss magnetic steel sheet]
One of the factors for iron loss is eddy-current loss caused by eddy current
generated in an iron core.

Attempts have been made to prevent this current fromflowing easily by means of, for example, adoption of silicon steel plates and/or thinlaminated steel sheets.
3)

Sine-wave drive control of compressor motor
In the past, a square wave drive system, which switches current-conducting
phases at every 60 degrees, was adopted as an operating method of a compressor for
an inverter air conditioner. With this system, a position of a rotor could be sensed
from induced voltage of the motor while motor current was not conducting, and thus
the motor speed could be changed easily.
However, this method causes the lowered motor efficiency due to the squarewave motor current.

To respond to this, the sine wave driving of motor current wasmade possible recently through development of the control technology to estimate arotor position from motor current as well as the improved arithmetic performance of
microcomputers, thereby improving motor efficiency.

63

Waveform of Motor Current ofSquare-Wave Driving System

Waveform of Motor Current ofSine-Wave Driving System(2) Fan1) Indoor fan
Various types of fans are used for indoor units depending on unit form.

A “crossflow fan” is used for most of the wall-hung type air conditioners.
[Cross Flow Fan]
Although a cross flow fan was composed of blades that were processed metal
sheets in the past, an attempt to increase air volume has been made throughintroduction of plastic blades having a wing-shaped section and growing size of fan
diameter, while controlling noise.
The layout and molding of a fan and blades have also been improved, by having
random spacing between blades, angling a fan shaft, etc.
<Random Pitch>

Unequal pitch
Close-up[Turbo Fan]
As for turbo fans which are often used in 4-direction cassette type indoor units,
improvement efforts, such as three-dimensional process of blades, have been adopted.

642) Outdoor fan
In general, a propeller fan is used for an outdoor unit of an air conditioner.
Although it was made of processed metal sheets in the past, it is now made of plastics.
An attempt to increase air volume has been made by improving a blade shape, while
reducing noise.
3) Fan motor
For fan motors for both indoor and outdoor units, an efficient DC brushless
motor has replaced a conventional AC motor. In addition, to improve efficiency of a
DC brushless motor, techniques that were developed for a compressor motor having
high power consumption are incorporated, and optimization efforts have been made toachieve the most efficient combination of technologies, such as increased number ofpoles/slots, a devised core shape, reduction of circuit loss, optimal energization, etc.
Example of Increased Numberof Poles/Slots

4-pole 6-Slot

8-pole 12-Slot(3) Electronically controlled expansion valve
A decompressor is a component to create high-pressure and low-pressure states in65

a refrigerant circuit.

Until now a capillary tube has been used primarily.

A capillary

tube refers to a thin and long copper pipe being about 0.2 to 2 m long and having an
inside diameter of 1 mm to 2mm.

This pipe generates pipe resistance and achieves

throttling action (decompression).
A capillary tube has been widely used for a room-air conditioner as it can be
implemented with a simple structure. However, adjustment of appropriate degree ofthrottling according to number of revolutions is not possible because the degree ofthrottling is constant even when the number of revolutions of a compressor varies.
Thus, an electronically controlled expansion valve has become used, whichenables appropriate degree of throttling based on an electronic signal from a
microcomputer determining the operating state of an air conditioner.

The valve is

structured so that a pulse motor rotates based on an electronic signal, and a gap
between the valve and the valve seat is adjusted by converting the rotation into
up-and-down motion, thereby controlling the degree of throttling.
This could achieve efficient control of refrigerant flow, depending on the operatingstate, such as changes in number of revolutions of a compressor used in an inverter air
conditioner.

Thus, the electronically controlled expansion valve has become mainly

used.
Pulse Motor

Main Body
Valve Seat
Valve(4) Heat exchanger
A heat exchanger is one of the important components of an air conditioner.

Itexchanges heat between indoor air and refrigerant in an indoor unit, and between
outdoor air and a refrigerant in an outdoor unit.
A fin-tube-type heat exchanger, in which a copper tube for refrigerant penetrates
a plate-form aluminum fin for air, is used for this heat exchange.
1)

Fin for heat exchange
Initially, a flat aluminum plate (plate fin) was used as a fin of heat exchangers.
Then, a corrugated fin and a slit fin with cutouts were adopted, and improvement of
the slit shape has been made.

In addition, to cope with a case that wind speed of air
66

passing through a heat exchanger is nonuniformly distributed, improvement has been
carried out to increase the overall heat exchange capacity by equalization of the windspeed distribution, such as increasing the height of a fin facing faster wind andlowering the height of a fin facing slower wind.
<Plate Fin>

<Corrugated Fin>

<Slit Fin>

<Improvement of Slit Shape>2) Copper tube for heat exchange
Initially, a smooth tube, like a copper tube in general, inner surface of which was
not processed, was used for a heat exchanger. For energy saving, a tube with internalgroove was developed, and optimization of a groove shape has been pushed forward.
<Smooth Tube><Tube with Internal Groove>67

<Optimization of Groove Shape>

In addition, in order to improve heat conduction between refrigerant and copper
pipes, reduction of pipe diameter has been implemented.
[Example]

Pipe Diameter

9.5mm

→

7.0mm

→

6.3mm

Improvement has also been made to reduce pressure loss and thereby increase
the total heat exchange capacity, by means of changing pipe diameter depending on
the state of refrigerant flowing through piping, i.e. decreasing pipe diameter for a partof liquid state and increasing it for a part of gas state.
3) Form of heat exchanger
In separate wall-hung type indoor units that account for most of the room-air
conditioners, a cross section of the conventional heat exchanger was molded like aplate.

However, in order to expand heat exchange area in a limited space, those ofbent type and those molded in a curved surface have been developed.

Heat exchanger

Cross flow fan

In addition, heat exchangers in an initial indoor unit were arranged in twocolumns.

However, improvement has been on the way to increase the heattransmission area and to augment the heat exchange capacity by means of partiallyarranging them in three columns, as long as an indoor unit structure can affordenough space for it.

68

As for 4-direction cassette type indoor units which are used in the most of air
conditioners for business use, the change of unit shape, such as from usualsquare-shape to pentagon-shape, has been attempted, in order to enlarge the heatexchange area without interrupting internal electrical components.

69