Japan Carrier Launches Industry-First High-Efficiency Commercial Multi-Split AC Model with Voluntary Evaluation Certificate

Japan Carrier Corporation, headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo and led by President Mineo Maruyama, will launch a model with a voluntary evaluation certificate, an air-conditioning industry first, within its “Super Multi u® High Efficiency S” series of commercial multi-split air-conditioning systems. The product is a high-efficiency model that forms part of the Super Multi u R32 series launched by the company last December. It has received a voluntary evaluation certificate for air-cooled packaged air conditioners after undergoing performance evaluation by an independent expert organization. Despite its compact housing, it contributes to further reducing BEI, the primary energy consumption performance indicator for buildings. Japan Carrier is the Japanese subsidiary of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE:CARR), a global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions. Building energy-saving requirements enter a new phase toward decarbonization BEI is an index that consolidates the overall energy-saving performance of a building into a single number, covering not only air conditioning but also lighting, insulation materials for exterior walls, window performance, and other factors. Unless a building clears the standards set by the Japanese government, building confirmation applications cannot be approved for any new construction, from small stores such as convenience stores to large office buildings. In recent years, BEI standards have been tightened in stages, and even small numerical differences at the design stage can affect the progress of an entire project and the building itself. In April 2025, compliance with energy-saving standards became mandatory in principle for all new buildings. From April 2026, the required level of primary energy consumption performance (BEI) was raised, mainly for medium-sized and larger non-residential buildings. From 2030 onward, Japan has also indicated a direction of requiring new buildings to secure energy-saving performance at the ZEB level. According to a survey by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, air-conditioning equipment accounts for about 60% of equipment energy consumption in medium-sized non-residential buildings. Improving the efficiency of air-conditioning equipment is therefore a critical factor in determining the overall energy-saving performance of buildings. As building designers, owners, and construction companies face these heavy challenges, Japan Carrier has launched a new product that steadily improves BEI values and meets the expectations of building owners and designers. The BEI threshold, once 1.0, has continued to rise; buildings of 300 square meters or more are now required to achieve 0.75 to 0.85 or below depending on use. By introducing Japan Carrier’s voluntary-evaluation-certified model, building-wide BEI reduction can be supported, helping reduce design burdens including regulatory compliance. Lower BEI also supports the acquisition of ZEB certification, which aims to bring net energy consumption close to zero, and can facilitate the use of government environmental investment support, tax incentives, and financing programs. Japan Carrier’s strength in the voluntary evaluation system: rotary compressors Japan Carrier’s BEI advantage comes from the compressor, the heart of an air conditioner, and from the framework that publicly evaluates and certifies its performance. Except during limited periods such as midsummer, air conditioners do not always operate at maximum output. In many cases, after the room temperature reaches the set temperature, the system continues low-output operation for long periods to maintain that state. Japan Carrier has adopted rotary compressors that deliver high efficiency even at low output and has optimized energy efficiency based on real-world usage. As a result, the company has made reliable BEI improvement possible, while this model also achieves a compact product housing by appropriately pursuing the required performance. When calculating a building’s overall BEI, designers use a calculation program designated by the Japanese government. Until now, however, there has been a practical issue: detailed performance differences among manufacturers, including performance at low output, were not sufficiently reflected in the calculation. In February 2025, evaluation of part-load characteristics for air-cooled packaged air conditioners was institutionalized as a voluntary evaluation. Japan Carrier responded quickly to this system, underwent rigorous performance evaluation by a third-party organization, and obtained a voluntary evaluation certificate. As a result, for equipment with excellent part-load performance, calculations can use values reflecting the device-specific part-load characteristics, contributing to improved BEI values for air-conditioning equipment. Japan Carrier President Mineo Maruyama commented: “This product supports the enhancement of customers’ building value through outstanding energy-saving performance, contributing to Japan’s national effort to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. With its compact housing, it saves installation space, and by obtaining a voluntary evaluation certificate, it offers a solution that helps reduce the workload of design offices. Japan Carrier will continue to anticipate changes in society and the market and provide essential value toward the realization of a sustainable society.” Main product features Sustainable: outstanding energy-saving performance Twin rotary compressors and dual-state inverter control enable high-efficiency operation from low to high loads. The system maintains efficiency even in part-load ranges, where actual operating time is long, enabling a significant reduction in air-conditioning BEI. Using an office sample model from the Institute for Built Environment and Carbon Neutral for SDGs (IBECs), Japan Carrier conducted energy calculations and confirmed that air-conditioning BEI decreased from 0.53 under rated COP evaluation to 0.44 under voluntary evaluation in the company’s comparison. Special: industry-first voluntary evaluation certificate This model’s energy-saving performance across a wide operating range was evaluated by a third-party organization. This enables more effective BEI calculation in the WEB program standard input method by reflecting power consumption characteristics during part-load operation, contributing to improved energy-saving performance for the entire building. Slim: compact housing Previously, larger housings were considered necessary to reduce BEI, but this model achieves higher efficiency while retaining a compact body. Installation space reduction: existing product approximately 1 square meter to new model approximately 0.77 square meters, about 23% less. Outdoor unit weight reduction: existing product 337 kg to new model 229 kg, reducing weight by more than 100 kg. In addition, earthquake, wind, and rain resistance contribute to business continuity planning (BCP) during disasters. About Japan Carrier Japan Carrier provides sustainable solutions integrating energy-efficient products for residential, retail and building, and factory applications. The company is committed to innovation for comfortable, safe, and sustainable living, and is the Japanese subsidiary of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE:CARR), a global leader in intelligent solutions addressing climate change and energy challenges. Notes: *1: Based on Japan Carrier research as of April 2026. *2: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (2024), “30th Subcommittee on Building Energy Consumption Performance Standards, Material 4.” *3: Trial calculation conditions: IBEC standard input sample, 1,000 square meters, 200 W/square meter, all 8 horsepower, common total heat exchanger conditions. *4: For 8, 10, and 12 horsepower models. *5: For 12 horsepower models.