Daikin AC (Americas), Inc. has introduced the new Navigation Remote Controller (model no. BRC1E71) for use with Daikin's light commercial, commercial, and residential VRV® products, as well as certain SkyAir models.

"The features of Daikin's Navigation Remote Controller were developed directly from feedback from our customers," said Christina Trondsen, director of marketing of Daikin AC. “Now our customers can more easily access the exceptional energy saving zoning capabilities of Daikin's products."

"Our new controller is easy to operate and allows for independent setpoints for cooling and heating. It also gives users the ability to program a weekly schedule including setback control for unoccupied periods. It is backwards compatible so customers can retrofit existing projects with improved control," explained Kenji Obata, manager, control engineering.

The wall mounted controller features a backlit LCD display as well as intuitive menus.  Up to 16 indoor units can be controlled in one group with automatic changeover between heating and cooling modes.  The menu displays are now available in English, French, or Spanish languages.

The new Navigation Remote Controller features the introduction of occupied and unoccupied (setback) modes of operation. In the occupied mode, the unit is on and controls temperatures to setpoints.

In the unoccupied mode, with setback disabled, the unit is off. When setback is enabled, the unit remains off and will energize once setback setpoints have been reached. It will de-energize once temperature has dropped (when cooling) or risen (when heating) by the set differential.

In the cooling, heating, and auto-changeover modes, temperatures are controlled by independent setpoints. In the cooling mode, only the cooling setpoints are valid and the heating setpoints are ignored and vice-versa. Both setpoints are valid in the auto mode.

Each setpoint can be bound by a range limit in order to maximize energy savings. The cooling and heating setpoint ranges can be set between 60ºF (16ºC) and 90ºF (32ºC) for occupied operation (unit on). The cooling setpoint range shall be equal or higher than the heating setpoint range. The cooling and heating setback setpoints can be set between 40ºF (5ºC) and 95ºF (35ºC), outside of the occupied setpoint ranges.

The Navigation Remote Controller features the introduction of auto-changeover for 2-pipe heat pump as well as 3-pipe heat recovery systems. Auto-changeover mode allows the optimal room temperature to be maintained without the user having to change the mode. It automatically switches the indoor unit’s mode (heat or cool) according to both the room temperature and temperature setpoint. When in the heating mode, change-over to cooling mode shall occur at cooling setpoint + 1ºF (0.5ºC). When in the cooling mode, change-over to heating mode shall occur at heating setpoint -1ºF (0.5ºC).

A scheduling feature enhances flexibility by allowing three selectable weekly schedule pattern options: 7-Day, 5 + 2 (Weekday + Weekend), and 5 + 1 + 1 (Weekday + Saturday + Sunday). The schedule supports up to 5 On/Off operations per day and has the ability to set new individual occupied or setback cooling and/or heating setpoints per operation.