Air-conditioning category awaits the summer with novelties

Connectivity, thermal comfort and sustainability. These are some of the attributes offered by the new models of air conditioners, in order to meet an increasingly demanding consumer, aware, connected and in search of better experiences. Several features – such as those that help control the temperature of environments even at a distance, via smartphone and smart apps, obtain updated data to control daily energy consumption and reduce monthly costs, ensure air quality through efficient filters, and choose a more sustainable device – are increasingly sought after by the public of this market.

By Jessica Orlandi

“The current trends in air-conditioning systems are those that are more aligned with sustainability, such as those equipments with strong appeal for energy saving, in the case of Inverter type units, and those that work with a more sustainable refrigerant gas, such as R32, “says Andrea Lima, product manager at Elgin. “Although we still have demand for On/Off models, the market trend is to migrate to products with Inverter compressors, in the coming years. This is because this type of device works smarter and optimized, being much more economical, quiet and durable, “adds Cristiane Clausen, executive director of Philco.

According to Gustavo Martins de Melo, product manager of air-conditioning Midea, the devices with connectivity are also very popular because they are easy to use and provide remote control. “Another trend is the device cassette of a track, which allows better architectural integration and ensures more sophistication to the environment, “he says. The CEO of Ventisol/Agratto, Natacha Tcholakian, adds that “products that have practicality in the installation are also in high demand at the time of choosing a model of air conditioning.

“Currently, the Inverter category represents over 50% of the air-conditioning market, with an advancement trend due to the higher energy efficiency, which ensures more savings for the consumer,” explains André Pontes, air-conditioning product manager at LG do Brasil. It is worth remembering that in 2023 there will be changes in the Inmetro classifications for air-conditioning appliances. For an equipment to be considered class A, it should be more efficient than the current ones.

Expectations for the summer

The industry is optimistic about the summer, the period of higher sales and which promises to be promising, despite the current impacts, worldwide, of the economic crisis, the covid-19 and climate change. According to GfK, the air conditioning market grew 13.4% in units from January to June 2022, compared to the same period in 2021. By value, the increase was 12.6%.

“In May, we inaugurated a new factory in Manaus (AM), totally focused on the category, with an initial production capacity of up to 500,000 units and with expectations that this number will double in the next three years. This shows our optimism with the Brazilian market and good expectations for the summer season 2022/2023,” says Nikolas Corbacho, product manager at SEMP TCL. “There is still a lot of potential in this market. We believe that, very soon, air-conditioning units will be increasingly common items in Brazilians’ homes, especially with the intelligent features that make these products more economical and practical on a daily basis,” says Daniel Fraianeli, manager of air-conditioning products at Samsung Brazil.

Besides the significant increase in sales, Gree highlights as market expectation for the summer the new energy rating, which comes in 2023. “The company makes market analysis based on Sell Out information by region, understanding the participation of each manufacturer. We expect for this summer a significant increase in sales in relation to the same season last year, “says commercial manager, Clovis Querubim. “Another point is that products of the On/Off type should be missing in the market due to the new energy rating that we will have as of January 2023. The industry tends to produce more models of the Inverter line, “he explains.

Main advantages

According to the main companies in the industry, there are many advantages to purchasing an air conditioner, especially in a country as large and with temperatures as diverse as Brazil, and with so many people still working at home or in hybrid format, in search of comfort and well-being.

For Consul, for example, the main advantage of air conditioning is thermal comfort. Especially during the summer, with high temperatures, including at night, it is very common to look for air conditioners to improve sleep quality and well-being inside the home. Ricardo Gadioli, Category Manager Brazil at Electrolux, adds that “with the increase in the number of people working from home, air-conditioning brings added comfort for a more productive and enjoyable work.”

Next, the new devices on the market.

Agratto

Currently, the brand offers the models On/Off and Inverter. The On/Off is a conventional residential model, of national production, which offers quality, practicality, slim design, multifilter system, backlight, copper coil, among other technologies. The Inverter is residential, with technology that, in addition to presenting the same qualities of the On/Off line, contributes to more energy savings in daily consumption.

Still this year, there will be launch of the Inverter Line (LIV) with R32 gas – ecological gas, 100% pure, which makes its recycling and reuse very practical, obtaining zero impact on the ozone layer and with three times less impact on global warming when compared to R410A gas.

Suggested prices as of 10/08/2022:

Consul

The brand makes available the Split Inverter Consul, made with copper serpentine, available in 9,000 BTU and 12,000 BTU capacities, in two versions: cold/hot and cold.

Among the differentials are savings of up to 60%, because the compressor works intelligently and avoids excessive spending. It also has fast cooling, silent mode, which ensures thermal comfort and less noise, and air filter + clean, with technology that eliminates 99.9% of bacteria and protects against the main causes of allergies.

Electrolux

It offers the Split model, with three types of technology: Traditional, Fixed, On/Off (V09F), only with cold function; Inverter (Q09R), with hot and cold function, which cools in summer and heats in winter; and Connected (X09F), with Wi-Fi connectivity and temperature control through application in the cell phone.

All the brand’s models have a triple protection filter, which purifies and protects against fungi, viruses and bacteria.

Suggested price as of 11/08/2022:

Elgin

The novelties of the brand are the Eco Up, Inverter and On/Off version (under development phase), and the Inverter Care. In Eco Up, the external unit has the vertical discharge to adapt to various external environments, when the external environments, when the project requires this model. It uses the ecological refrigerant gas R32. A warranty is three years and 10 years on the compressors of the Inverter models.

The Inverter Care is a device that is already within the new classification of Inmetro as class A. It is available from 9,000 to 24,000 BTU/h, in 220 V. The brand also has the launch in 127 V, for the capacity of 12,000 BTU/h, in the cold version, to serve cities that do not have availability of electrical network 220 V. The warranty is also three years in the unit and 10 years on the compressor.

Suggested price in 08/08/2022:

Gree

Among the releases is the G-Diamond TOP, air conditioner that brings sophisticated and innovative design, being the first in Brazil with BlackFin technology, which ensures more resistance and longer life. It leaves the environment free of impurities, with Ion Clean technology, eliminating 99.99% of viruses and bacteria, which brings more health and well-being.

The G-Top Inverter was specially developed to optimize space and ensure comfort in an environment free of noise and impurities. The new device  also stands out in effectiveness and energy saving. It is available in hot and cold versions, with 9,000, 12,000 and 18,000 BTU / h, and has class A energy efficiency certification seal from Inmetro.

LG

Recently launched the Dual Inverter Voice 15,000 BTU Cold, with exclusive capacity in this segment in the country. The device expands the portfolio of the company, adapting it to the needs of each environment. In January of this year, launched the LG Dual Inverter Voice UV Nano, with technology of ultraviolet LED lamps. The exclusive UV Nano disinfection technology unit sterilizes the inside of the product through ultraviolet LED micro-lamps, avoiding disassembly for regular cleaning. It has high performance and eliminates up to 99.99% of viruses, bacteria, germs and mold.

LG’s new generation of air conditioners can be controlled from distance with the LG ThinQ application, directly from the smartphone. In addition, it has Wi-Fi integrated, ready to use with voice commands via Google Assistant and Alexa. The company is expected to launch new products this half year.

Midea

Its Split Hiwall Midea All Easy Pro line, Inverter, offers lower energy consumption, performance and technology. With Wi-Fi connectivity, it allows, through the MSmartHome app, to control all the product’s functions by mobile phone and is compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa voice commands. This line has the Procel Gold seal. The design ensures that the internal unit can be disassembled or assembled quickly, allowing simple access for cleaning and preventive maintenance. It is available in capacities of 12,000, 18,000, 24,000 and, soon, 30,000 BTU/h, with a hot/cold cycle.

Another highlight is the line Split Cassette Carrier 1 Way, Inverter, efficient and silent. The internal unit (evaporator) is compact, and has only 153 mm height. Can be embedded in the ceiling without the need for large lowering of the ceiling. The unit can be connected to the internet through an optional kit and controlled by the Carrier Air Conditioner application, which commands all functions of the product by mobile phone and is compatible with voice commands by Google Assistant or Alexa. It has a drain pump integrated, removable panel and is available in capacities of 18,000 and 22,000 BTU/h, with hot/cold cycle.

Philco

The PAC12000ITFM9W model is one of the highlights of the line. It has an Inverter compressor, which is more economical and silent, and reaches the desired temperature quickly, besides lasting much longer. It has Wi- Fi integrated, which allows control of temperature and all settings of the device directly from the smartphone.

Another product, the Black (PAC12000ITFM12W BLACK PROTECT) has, besides the above features, a differentiated design for being all black, giving more style to the environment. Both models have copper coils, which is the best in technology, resistant and durable. All Philco appliances have an energy rating of A.

Samsung

The WindFree Cool air conditioner offers a complete experience in efficiency and economy, since it allows the maintenance of temperature with minimum energy expenditure. It has functions that control the intensity of the wind.

Recently, the brand made available to Brazilian users of the SmartThings application the Energy function, which allows, free of charge, to view the consumption of the air-conditioner in reals and in kWh, besides allowing the creation of alerts and displaying comparisons to understand how much the connected appliance consumes at the end of the month. With integrated artificial intelligence resources, it estimates the price per kWh to be charged, according to the location, and allows you to schedule notifications of energy use when the consumer is out of home. It also shows a report with the average consumption per hour.

Suggested price as of 04/08/2022:

SEMP TCL

Last July, at the Eletrolar Show, the company announced the new HW Inverter T-Pro products and the new floor-to-ceiling Inverter light commercial line. With unprecedented features for the brand’s products, the HW Inverter T-Pro model has a breeze system, which promotes ventilation without gusts of wind, in addition to the hot sterilization process, which ensures the cleaning of the evaporator, leaving it free of fungi, bacteria and unwanted odors, automatically. The appliance can be fully controlled via Wi-Fi, through the TCL Home app. It is available in capacities of 12,000, 18,000 and 24,000 BTU/h, hot and cold.

The floor-to-ceiling Inverter model has been optimized for use in rooms larger than 75 m². It is the first TCL for the light commercial segment and brings the concept of universal condenser with vertical discharge, with benefits such as low maintenance costs and greater availability of parts in the aftermarket. It has an inverter compressor, low power consumption, lower noise level and multiple protection system with temperature and pressure sensors, low voltage communication (24 V) and protection against corrosion. Available in capacities of 36,000 and 55,000 BTU/h, cold.

Source: Eletrolar News #150