Last time, at Daikin's showroom "Fuha Tokyo", we spoke with Gumpei Morigami of the Air Conditioning Sales Division's Business Strategy Office about the secrets of Daikin air conditioners' energy efficiency. This time, with the continued heatwave, we asked about "how to effectively use an air conditioner."

---With such a long stretch of hot days, I'm sure many households are running their air conditioners at full capacity. Please continue.

There are now more "high airtightness, high insulation" homes, including condominiums and newly built detached houses. Condominiums, in particular, often have high airtightness. This can prevent sufficient dehumidification, leaving residual moisture. Conventional air conditioners cool the room temperature while incidentally removing moisture.

So, even if the room temperature drops after turning on the air conditioner, the humidity often remains high, creating an unexpectedly damp environment. From a comfort perspective, humidity control is actually very important.

--I personally hadn't paid much attention to humidity outside of the rainy season. I think surprisingly many people don't know that humidity control is crucial for comfort. So, what percentage is considered comfortable humidity---

It's hard to say definitively, as the comfortable range is determined by the balance of temperature and humidity, but generally it's considered to be 40-60%. A 10% change in humidity can change the perceived temperature. For example, Hawaii and Japan have similar summer temperatures. Many people find Hawaii's climate dry and comfortable. If you've been to Hawaii, you'll understand from experience that different humidity levels significantly impact comfort.

---Assuming 40-60% is a guideline, what is the correct temperature to set the air conditioner to in summer---

It varies by individual, but in terms of a comfortable temperature range where humidity is also controlled, it would be "26-28℃." 27℃ with 50% humidity feels more comfortable than 25℃ with 80% humidity. If you can control the humidity, you don't need to lower the temperature as much.

---So, keeping the temperature between 26-28℃ and humidity between 40-60% is important. By the way, I'm still using an old air conditioner with only cooling and dehumidifying buttons. Which button should I use when I return to a hot room—

Cooling also cools effectively until it reaches the set temperature, and then dehumidifies incidentally through condensation, so first, let the room reach the set temperature. However, if it's comfortable, don't stay in cooling mode once the set temperature is reached. If you want to keep dehumidifying, then switch to dehumidification.

---If I'm using an old air conditioner, are there any other tips for effective use---

First, warm air rises, and cold air sinks. Since cold air descends, recent manufacturers design airflow to direct the air along the ceiling. Conversely, for heating, the air is directed downwards to warm from the feet. Older air conditioners may not have these settings, and if you're controlling the airflow manually, I think "horizontal airflow can cool the space more evenly."

Also, for cooling operation, raising the set temperature by 1℃ is said to have a 10% power saving effect. If you're concerned about electricity consumption, I recommend "increasing the fan speed" first, rather than lowering the temperature if you feel hot. In reality, changing the fan speed doesn't consume much more power.

---I never thought of changing the fan speed first. By the way, if it can save 10%, I'll try to use it consciously from now on. We've learned about how to use air conditioners so far, but are there any maintenance tips for air conditioners---

Especially during this season, I think it's important to pay attention to the temperature around the outdoor unit. Make sure not to place anything around the outdoor unit so it doesn't get hot.

Also, if your air conditioner doesn't have an automatic filter cleaning function, we recommend cleaning the filter once every two weeks. Calculations show that not cleaning the filter for a year can increase power consumption by as much as 25%. When the filter is clogged, the air cannot be easily drawn in, reducing the amount of air that can be heat-exchanged.

---That's a significant 25% difference. It's best to maintain it regularly. I learned so much I didn't know about air conditioners, and this discussion was very insightful.

[Extra Edition] Also collaborating with artists! Daikin design air conditioners with excellent functionality

At the "Daikin Showroom Fuha" I visited for this interview, there were several series with excellent design performance, and I was surprised to learn that air conditioners are now expected to be not only functional but also beautiful.

Seeking harmony between the room and the air conditioner:risora

First, risora, which focuses on thinness and color freedom, is designed compactly without compromising Daikin air conditioner functions, with a depth of only 185mm. It is the thinnest model in the industry. The panel color can be chosen from 8 basic colors, but if you want the exact same color as your wallpaper, you can choose from 600 colors (custom style).

Further elevating air conditioners to art pieces:The Art Line

The Art Line, launched this January, was created to emphasize beauty, harmony, and individuality.

1. "ART" expresses traditional crafts and art pieces such as mother-of-pearl and lacquerware.

2. "NATURE" expresses natural materials like marble and leather.

3. "BLEND" focuses on colors and textures that blend into the space, such as tweed and mortar.

This series consists of the above three categories and offers a wide range of 57 designs, which can be seen and touched in person at Fuha.

Also, in the "ART" category, you can choose panels designed by four artists in collaboration with Heralbony, a creative company that aims to change the image of disabilities and create new culture.

Visiting Fuha, I realized that air conditioners have evolved from simple appliances to being a part of furniture, an element of the room that can be coordinated, and even an enjoyable art form.

When considering purchasing an air conditioner, I highly recommend visiting Fuha to experience the performance of Daikin air conditioners and the joy of coordination.