Daikin McQuay Research Center Earns LEED® Gold Certification

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Daikin and McQuay today announced that it has earned LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for its Applied Development Center (ADC) located at McQuay world headquarters in Plymouth, Minn.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101208/CG14573)

The 49,000-square-foot (4,600-square-meter) research center is the world's most advanced facility for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) research and development. The Daikin McQuay ADC is used in the development of innovative, high-quality HVAC technologies that support the environment and provide reliable solutions for customers worldwide.

"It's a great honor to have earned LEED Gold certification for a facility that we are extremely proud of and that is unmatched in the industry," said Hiromune Matsuoka, head of the Daikin McQuay ADC. "Our deep commitment to sustainability can be seen in this facility and in the development of applied products that support the environment, energy savings, innovation, leadership and the best in customer comfort."

The Daikin McQuay Applied Development Center was designed and built by Mortenson Construction, Hammel, Green and Abrahamson architects and engineers, Hunt Electric and Eaton mechanical contractors. With more than 90 percent of the ADC's energy generated by process loads (e.g., hot and cold water for chiller and compressor tests), energy savings are realized primarily by recovering 75 percent of that energy and diverting it back into the system.  Other environmental features include water-efficient landscaping, recycled construction waste, use of recycled content for interior surfaces, low-emitting sealants and locally purchased materials.

"Helping our customers achieve their energy efficiency needs and providing them with technologies that allow for design flexibility is just as important to us as reducing our own environmental impact," said Ron Hanlon, chief operating officer of McQuay Americas. "While we plan to continue providing customers with industry leading energy efficient technologies like the Daikin McQuay Magnitude Chiller, we will also continue our journey to a reduced carbon footprint. Achieving LEED Gold certification for the ADC is our most recent accomplishment in doing just that."

About the Daikin McQuay Applied Development Center

The Daikin McQuay ADC includes six test cells, with space for two additional cells in the future, that will facilitate the development of air- and water- cooled chillers, compressors and heat pumps as well as new air-conditioning systems.  Included are a worldwide range of electrical voltages/frequencies and a range of procedures for testing ambient conditions (temperature and humidity). The ADC can simulate building, electrical and climate conditions of any location throughout the world, allowing the basic design development of new products to be centrally located in the facility. These 'global models' are then arranged into a suitable design to match market requirements at existing regional development centers throughout the world.

About Daikin Industries Ltd.

Daikin Industries, Ltd. is a Fortune 1000 company with 2008 revenues in excess of $12 billion and more than 40,000 employees worldwide.  Daikin is engaged primarily in the development, manufacture, sales and aftermarket support of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) equipment, refrigerants and other chemicals, as well as oil hydraulic products. Daikin has been named one of the 100 most sustainable corporations for three years in a row by Corporate Knights, Inc. For more information, visit www.daikin.com

About McQuay International

McQuay International, a division of Daikin Industries, Ltd., delivers engineered, flexible solutions for commercial, industrial and institutional HVAC requirements with reliable products, knowledgeable applications expertise and responsive support.  McQuay products and services are provided through a worldwide network of dedicated sales and service offices.  For more information or the name of your local McQuay representative, call 800-432-1342, or visit www.mcquay.com.

SOURCE Daikin McQuay Applied Development Center