World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Hitachi upgrades and expands VRF range

EUROPE: Hitachi has launched a new range of 2-pipe heat pump and 3-pipe heat recovery range to replace its existing Set Free VRF units.

Called Set Free Sigma, the new range extends the line-up from 5 to 24hp in a single unit module and up to 96hp with combinations. The outdoor unit casing has been completely redesigned and offers a total of seven new capacity models – 18, 20, 22 and 24hp (standard) and 14,16 and 18hp (high efficiency).

The new range will be produced in the company’s European manufacturing facility in Spain to be compatible with Hitachi’s System Free indoor range. The High Efficiency FSXNPE model extends compatibility further with up to 64 connectable 0.4hp or 0.6hp indoor units.

A new high efficiency DC inverter compressor is employed in the new range, giving precise control in 0.1Hz increments. This is said to provide a 4.6% increase in seasonal efficiency over previous models. Combined with a new fan design, bell-mouth fan housing and sigma-shape heat exchanger, the Set Free Sigma VRF range is said to achieve improved efficiency even at low or partial load in cooling operation, with performances increased to achieve SEER up to 8.33 and SCOP up to 5.06.

Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning in Europe

Latest News

18th November 2024

R1234ze refrigerant oil for screw compressors

GERMANY: Specialty chemicals company Lanxess is offering its synthetic ester lubricant Everest ESR 220 for use in HVACR systems using R1234ze. 
18th November 2024

Liquid and air cooling system meets evolving data centre needs

USA: Critical infrastructure service provider has collaborated with Compass Datacenters to develop a solution that integrates air and liquid cooling technologies for data centres supporting AI.
18th November 2024

IoR women’s group appoints co-chairs

UK: Astrid Prado of Star Refrigeration and Samantha Buckell of Bitzer UK have been appointed as co-chairs of the Institute of Refrigeration's Women in RACHP Network (WiRACHP).
18th November 2024

Move to -15°C gathers support

UK: Support for the drive to raise the standard for frozen food temperatures to -15°C to cut carbon emissions has more than tripled in the last 12 months.
17th November 2024

Liverpool College adds heat pump training

UK: The City of Liverpool College has established dedicated heat pump training facilities thanks to £100,000 funding from the North West Net Zero Hub and support from manufacturer Vaillant.
17th November 2024

Switch from fossil fuels needs unifying force

SWEDEN: The CEO of Swedish heat pump manufacturer Nibe has criticised fuel prices which favour fossil fuels while electricity is subjected to new taxes and charges.