The Osaka-based company is offering the remote automated energy conservation tool for multi-zone AC systems installed in commercial buildings. Dedicated network terminals will connect to the outdoor units to collect data.

The AI technology will operate the building AC to boost efficiency, making adjustments based on such factors as sunlight levels, outside temperatures and the number of computers being run in the offices.

The service has been added to Daikin's AirNet remote diagnostic service, which is used to detect breakdowns in AC systems. The AI power-saving tool is being offered at no additional charge to existing customers, while network devices can connect to already-installed equipment.

The new service collects heat load data every five minutes from each zone of a building. The AI system learns from the data and controls compressor motor speeds in the AC equipment's outdoor units.

Under Daikin's new AI-powered efficiency system, network terminals will connect to outdoor units of multi-zone AC systems. (Daikin Industries)

Nearly 80% of the power consumed by air conditioners is used to run compressors. Japanese manufacturers have been able to reduce electricity consumption by more than 50% through the use of inverters that reduce compressor speeds in line with temperature settings.

Seeing little margin for improvement on the hardware side, Daikin has turned to AI and other programming to boost power efficiency further.

In a demo conducted at Yamaha's headquarters in Hamamatsu, a city southwest of Tokyo, the AI control tool was able to reduce power consumption by up to 20% over a period of 12 months, according to Daikin.

Through pilots of the tool across roughly 20 locations, the company recorded power savings averaging 10%. Daikin is looking to tap into the trend toward decarbonization to boost subscriptions to its services offering energy conservation.

According to Nikkei Asia