Daikin introduces Ururu Sarara
(18/05/2006)
World’s first split air conditioner to humidify and dehumidify without an external water source.
During 2006, Daikin Europe N.V. will underline its lead in air conditioning technology with its introduction to the European market of ‘Ururu Sarara’ – the world’s first split air conditioning system capable of humidifying and dehumidifying room air without the need for an external water source.
The new heat pump system, comprising indoor unit (FTXR-E) and outdoor unit (RXR-E) is available in 3 sizes with nominal capacities of 2.8, 4.2 and 5.0kW, COPs of 5.00, 4.00 and 3.42 (cooling) and 5.14, 4.32 and 3.97 (heating). All units in the range have ‘A’ class Energy Label ratings, among the highest on the European market. Ururu Sarara combines a number of innovative features that offer the end user complete control of the temperature, humidity and ventilation of his immediate environment on a round the year basis.
Humidifying (in Japanese: ‘Ururu’)
Correct humidity levels play a major role towards achieving internal room comfort conditions. A relative humidity (RH) of 50% at a temperature 22°C enables an occupant to feel warm, whereas an RH of 20% at 28°C can leave an occupant feeling cold. In addition, the correct level of humidity can not only improve room comfort, it can also prevent dry skin and sore throats.
Humidification is achieved during the heating mode via a built-in element on the outdoor unit, which extracts moisture from the surrounding air without any need for an external water source. After its transfer to the indoor unit, the humidified air is discharged evenly throughout the room space, thereby avoiding air stagnation at ceiling and dryness at floor levels.
Dehumidifying (in Japanese: ‘Sarara’)
In as much as humidification has beneficial effects on comfort levels, so does dehumidification. During the summer a high degree of ambient air humidity, even at moderate temperatures, can make a room feel hot and stuffy. Ururu Sarara however, reduces indoor humidity without affecting the room temperature by mixing dry cool air with warm air to produce comfortable dry air (reheating dehumidifying). This feature prevents overcooling and will be appreciated particularly by individuals sensitive to cold. If the indoor temperature becomes too high, Ururu Sarara reduces the humidity level by also reducing the temperature (cooling dehumidifying).
Ventilation
Ururu Sarara is unique among residential air conditioning units in that it enables a 26m² room to be ventilated with fresh air in less than 2 hours without the need for windows to be opened. Furthermore, the incoming air temperature is adjusted to the required level, thereby avoiding any heat losses. Ventilation can also be initiated while the occupants are away from the house and, since the supply fan is located on the outdoor unit, the ventilation process is silent.
Air purification
Incoming outdoor air is purified in two stages – initially in the outdoor unit and again in the indoor unit. Exhaust gases and unpleasant odours are decomposed and removed from the outdoor air before it passes to the indoor unit where it is filtered of dust and pollen and purified further of odours in a photocatalytic filter. Finally, it is subjected to treatment in the ‘Flash Streamer’ – patented by Daikin and incorporated in its latest air purifiers – which breaks down any remaining formaldehyde, viruses and moulds etc.
Other features
The system possesses a number of other user friendly features. Its ‘moisturizing operation mode’ creates a particularly skin friendly environment by combining a high RH, a comfortable airflow pattern and the emission of vitamins and hyaluronic acid. A ‘breeze cooling airflow’ function meanwhile, enables a room to feel cool, even at relatively high temperature settings by varying the airflow direction to simulate the effect of a pleasantly cool breeze. Also, comfort during sleep is increased by the ‘comfort sleep’ mode, which adapts room temperature to match night time fluctuations in bodily temperature. This is achieved by lowering the room temperature by 2°C over a 3 hour period and then slowly returning it to the original setting 1 hour prior to wake up time. Another interesting feature is the ‘mould shock operation’: this is a 3 hour drop in humidity which prevents undesirable mould formation within the room.
Ururu Sarara is controlled via an easy to read and use hand held remote controller, which displays room humidity and temperature levels in all system operating modes and functions via simple push button operation.
Learn more about Ururu Sarara 
