Daikin Industries has received the Energy Conservation Center Chairman’s Award in the Products and Business Models category of Japan’s 2025 Energy Conservation Grand Prize. The awarded technologies are the "Heat Recycle System" — a heat recovery ventilation system — and the "Hexagon GX" — an air-cooled modular chiller. The award, hosted by the Energy Conservation Center, Japan, recognizes outstanding energy-saving initiatives and promotes awareness of energy efficiency.
The winning systems will be showcased at ENEX2026, the 50th exhibition on global environmental and energy harmony, held at Tokyo Big Sight from January 28 to 30, 2026.
The Heat Recycle System captures indoor exhaust heat during ventilation using refrigerant and reuses it for pre-conditioning the incoming fresh air via heat pump technology. As ventilation accounts for approximately 40% of HVAC load, the system addresses the growing demand for both indoor air quality and energy efficiency. Demonstration tests at a retail store in Tokyo showed a 24% reduction in annual power consumption compared to conventional ventilation fan systems. In a cold-region test at a newly built restaurant in Hokkaido, the system reduced energy consumption by approximately 64% compared to a traditional gas-based heating and ventilation system.
The Hexagon GX modular air-cooled chiller features high energy efficiency and contributes to carbon neutrality in large buildings and industrial facilities. It employs a newly designed compressor and all-aluminum microchannel heat exchangers, achieving leading COP and IPLVc values while reducing refrigerant charge by around 60% compared to previous models. The chiller also incorporates a redesigned plate heat exchanger that lowers water pressure loss by 47%, reducing pump power by about 31%. Additionally, a new control system for the crankcase heater cuts standby power by approximately 15%.
Daikin plans to expand both systems into various sectors and global markets, aiming to support the transition to a decarbonized society.
“We will continue to develop high energy-saving products and solutions and promote their deployment across different fields and the global market,” the company stated.
