Mitsubishi Electric has launched an innovative Wi-Fi interface which will deliver ‘cloud-based’ control systems to both installers and end-users of air conditioning, with the real possibility of being able to monitor and control air conditioning units remotely via the Internet.
The company has reacted to the potential that the latest developments in cloud-based computing offers, which enables everyone from individual users to companies with vast, nationwide estates to monitor system use, spot potential faults and change schedules, loads and temperature settings.
The development of a Wi-Fi interface for its air conditioning and heat pump products has been coupled with a new dedicated service called MELCloud, to offer advanced energy-saving features and controls with easy apps for either computer, tablet or mobile device, which will allow for basic control and monitoring.
“We’ve just launched the air conditioning Wi-Fi interface for our split systems and will be adding others for our air-to-water heat pumps and VRF systems,” explains Sebastien Desmottes, air conditioning Product Marketing Manager.
“The interface simply need to be installed near to the air conditioner or heat pump and builds a wireless connection between the unit and the building’s Internet connection.”
The Wi-Fi interfaces use cloud technology to deliver advanced connectivity and control across the Internet, allowing building operators to remotely monitor and control their air conditioning and home owners to remotely monitor and control their heating, helping to reduce both running costs and emissions.
“We have tested the Wi-Fi interface in several sites across Europe since last summer and this has led to the development of the MELCloud system which provides users with effortless control of their devices wherever they are,” adds Desmottes.
MELCloud will run on any PC or Tablet and supports the latest ranges of Smartphones from Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, Blackberry and many more, giving easy remote access and control. The application will automatically detect screen size and resize accordingly, supporting the latest ranges of Tablets via dedicated apps available from the various App stores. MELCloud is designed to provide the most extensive user and device coverage in the market and works with the majority of Internet browsers from Microsoft, Google, Apple and others.
Providing user control, weekly timer, holiday and frost protection, as well as error logging, reporting, local live weather and support Information, this functionality is all available via a mobile device or PC from anywhere in the world, as long as the user has internet access on their mobile device or PC, and at the location where the air conditioning system is installed.
The service is available throughout Europe, and the application has been designed with the majority of European languages supported at release, with further European languages support planned in the future.
