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There’s a lot of talk about the new normal these days. It’s starting to seem like people will resume some activities, such as travel, but many won’t be returning to the office full-time. Folks are getting out more, going back to school and the gym, but they still spend a lot more time in their homes. At this year’s AHR Expo, Fujitsu presented the ways it can make this new way of living more comfortable.

For example, the company displayed a new mini VRF. It can provide for the needs of 3,000- to 4,000-square-foot home. A traditional heat pump is geared more toward a 2,000-square-foot home, said Bill McCarthy, Fujitsu’s regional sales manager for HVAC products.

Fujitsu also offers a ducted solution for homeowners. This allows homeowners to use an air handler in one zone and a ducted mini split in another. This helps address the needs created by using different parts of the home for nontraditional purposes.

“As people are forced to spend more time in their homes, they’ve realized those homes aren’t quite as comfortable,” McCarthy said.

When spending more time at home, people spend more money on utilities such as electricity. To help offset this cost, Fujitsu has zoning for ducted systems that fully communicates. This helps make them run better, McCarthy said.

“We can give you a comfortable home efficiently,” he said.

Many people who have been stuck at home are now starting to get out more. Some are travelling, either for work or leisure, and some are trickling back into office buildings. Fujitsu offer a 16-ton full VRF solution that can be modulized to meet the needs of buildings ranging from a three-story Hampton Inn to a 10-story office tower.

More hotels, along with more apartment buildings, are moving to ductless solutions, McCarthy said. Many are taking out their existing PTAC units and replacing them with mini splits. McCarthy said these units are quieter and work more easily with motion controls.

Most forecasts see fewer people actually working in offices, even once the pandemic truly ends. That’s why Fujitsu offers a wide range of tonnage and compatibility to meet these changing needs, McCarthy said.

Fujitsu is seeing more demand for its zoning solution, McCarthy said. A traditional zoning system has to have a bypass damper to relieve the excess air. In the Fujitsu system, as more dampers open, the system ramps up. As they close, it ramps down. As a result, it only turns on when needed. McCarthy said the company sees a lot of demand from colleges and universities for use in dorms.

KNOW THE NAME: Fujitsu sells entry-level units under the Westinghouse brand, an old and trusted name. The company maintains that trust by standing behind the products as if they carried the Fujitsu name. (Staff photo)

Fujitsu is helping HVAC contractors in a number of ways. Fujitsu dedicated an entire wall of its booth to its Westinghouse line. These serve as an entry point to mini splits for consumers, McCarthy said. The company stands behind the products as if they carried the Fujitsu name.

“We needed something in that entry level, but we also wanted that quality that people recognize with our brand,” McCarthy said.

Fujitsu is also in the process of refreshing its line so indoor components are compatible with outdoor components. This eliminates several SKUs, McCarthy said. That helps HVAC contractors as they continue to work through inventory shortages.