Panasonic launches a business for the OASYS Residential Central Air Conditioning System*² in the US market

Osaka, Japan, January 7, 2025 – Panasonic Corporation today announced that its Heating & Ventilation A/C Company (HVAC Company) would release the OASYS Residential Central Air Conditioning System in the US market on January 7, 2025. Considered the first of its kind in the US,*¹ this central air conditioning system consists of a Mini Split AC, ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator),*⁴ and transfer fans using DC motor-driven ventilation fans. It can reduce energy consumption for heating and air conditioning over 50% compared to conventional systems*³, creating a healthy and comfortable space with its ability to circulate large volumes of air while maintaining small temperature differences, air purification technology, and whisper-quiet operation.

Since the release of the Whisper series of ceiling-mounted ventilation fans in 1993, the HVAC Company has developed its US market business with a focus on ventilation fans. This series boasts the second-largest market share*⁵ in the US and has established a strong position as a series of products and brand greatly characterized by its energy efficiency low-noise performance, and high quality. It is a 14-time winner of ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award, which is the highest award granted in the energy-saving product certification program. Moreover, with the aim of meeting customer needs more promptly and appropriately, the company launched the local production of ventilation fans in Mexico in 2016, followed by the production of ERV in 2023 to address ventilation needs that have been growing due to increased housing airtightness, and energy-saving needs to reduce the load on air conditioners.

In the US, gas heating and electric air conditioning systems are commonly used. However, to realize a decarbonized society, the need to transition from gas to electric heaters and more energy-efficient air conditioners is growing, along with the expectation to use high-efficiency heat pumps equipped with both cooling and heating functions, or inverter air conditioners. The central air conditioning system, a mainstream cooling and heating method in the US, sends cool and warm air to each room via ducts extending throughout the house by using one large transfer fan. In addition to the noise generated by the transfer fan, it has several challenges, including difficulty maintaining uniform airflow, which causes temperature variations due to varying duct shapes and lengths in each room. In recent years, as houses have become more airtight and insulated, public awareness and demand for ventilation have been growing.

OASYS, released by the HVAC Company, offers an air conditioning system designed for highly airtight and insulated houses through the optimized combination of the HVAC Company's high-performance Mini Split AC, ERV that reduces the load on air conditioners and suppresses PM2.5, and transfer fans using DC motors with industry-leading*⁶ energy saving and whisper-quiet operation. Compared to the conventional air conditioning systems it can reduce energy consumption for heating and air conditioning over 50%.*³ This system evenly distributes large volumes of cool and warm conditioned air through ducts using several transfer fans, maintaining constant temperature and humidity throughout the house, regardless of the room's upper and lower spaces, by minimizing the difference between the temperatures of air distributed from the respective vents and the room temperature. This eventually creates a comfortable and healthy living space like never before, while maintaining superior energy efficiency. Furthermore, by also circulating air throughout attic and underfloor spaces, it decreases the risks of condensation and mold growth, and reduces the deterioration of wooden houses common in the US. The system, consists of our latest and most advanced products, is highly maintainable because users only have to replace a part of the system but not all the system in case something go wrong.

On January 22, 2025, the company will open the OASYS concept home in Houston, Texas. It will be used to exhibit the OASYS system concept and offer firsthand experience to B2B customers such as builders.

The company will expand the central air conditioning business, leveraging its competitive advantage in ventilation fans in the US, and promote initiatives to optimize home energy management in the future, such as linking the system to other energy-saving devices.

Notes:
*1: Regarding the central air conditioning system using a residential air conditioner, energy recovery ventilator, and transfer fans. As of January 7, 2025, according to Panasonic's research.
*2: This system uses the MaHAt system developed by Future House Alliance (based in Kasugai City, Aichi Prefecture).
*3: The conventional air conditioning systems use a heat pump cooling system (14.2 SEER2) and gas furnace (80% AFUE) for houses with performance compliant with IECC 2015.
OASYS uses Panasonic's Mini Split AC and transfer fans for both cooling and heating functions for houses with performance compliant with OASYS-required specifications.
(Estimated by converting gas energy consumption to electricity)
*4: It is a device that provides ventilation with minimum heat loss, while exchanging heat recovered from supply and exhaust air.
*5: Among residential products. As of January 7, 2025, according to Panasonic's research.
*6: Certified as Energy Star Most Efficient 2024. As of January 7, 2025.