Mitsubishi Heavy adopts Italian design

JAPAN: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has used an Italian designer for two new series of wall-mounted air conditioners set to launch in Europe next month.

The new ZS and ZSX Series units, which are likely to be a topic at MHI’s European distributor conference this week, are due to commence production and marketing in October.

The design was created by Milan-based industrial design studio Tensa srl, and is said to respond to a broad spectrum of European tastes thanks to its rounded contours and stylish design features.

Nine regular models will be available in sizes from 2kW to 6.1kW (cooling) and 2.7kW to 6.8kW (heating). Two limited-edition colours are also said to be in preparation.

Strangely, despite being in a sector moving towards the lower GWP R32, the available information gives no indication of the refrigerant being employed in these new ranges, but the Cooling Post believes it to be R410A. (Update 21/9/16: MHI has confirmed that the models are designed for R410A).

While both series are said to offer high efficiency, the top-of-the-range ZSX boasts Europe’s highest A+++ energy rating in both cooling and heating modes. This is said to be due to its use of  twin rotary compressors, combined with enhanced vector control.

The use of computational fluid dynamics in the fan and heat exchanger design is common to both series and has resulted in a claimed operating noise level of only 19dB(A) in “silent” mode.

All models are equipped with motion sensors and weekly timer. Also, operation via smartphones is also said to be possible.