Kitano is a rather legendary name for the country of the “rising sun”. It was it that was chosen as the name of the brand of HVAC equipment. From the same marketing considerations, the motto was born: "The undeniable Japanese quality of climate technology at a cost-effective price to the consumer" ...
No climate equipment KITANO in Japan can not be bought. They do not let her out or sell her there. And there are quite a lot of companies with this name in Japan, but it was not possible to find out which air conditioners were produced. It is found on various resources on the Internet that the company was founded in 1982, either in Osaka, or in Tokyo. The company does not have an official website, which already leads to certain thoughts. Nor will it be possible to detect any research center, although it is alleged that it exists. Since another tale about the “Japanese Cinderella” (a hard-working boy who has accumulated rich life experience in assembling refrigerators at one of the Japanese factories, which allowed him to create a huge corporation later) is given as the company's history, it is difficult to say where the equipment developers and company management are located . Now about what is.
The manufacturer is focused on manufacturing products exclusively for the international market. The main sales markets: the Baltic countries, the Black Sea countries, the countries of North Africa, the CIS countries (from 2010 - 2011, inclusion in the zone of official sales of Russia).
The bulk of the equipment is made in China. Some of the equipment may be produced in factories in Thailand, Malaysia and India. But such equipment is not exported to Russia. A specific instance can be produced at any Chinese factory; there is no exact localization of assemblies and manufactured components.
Main product line
The range of equipment manufactured under the brand is limited:
- household air cooling systems (split system, multi split system);
- semi-industrial air conditioners (cassette, duct, column, floor-ceiling, multi-zone);
- industrial cooling air equipment (chillers, fan coil units, condensing units, roof air conditioners);
- heat pumps.
With the exception of heat pumps, the brand is focused on the production of cooling equipment. The technique is positioned both for a warm climate and for hot. The range of manufactured cooling systems is dominated by domestic air conditioners.
The company claims a special “Japanese” product quality control at a “Chinese” price. No differences in quality from Chinese counterparts are found. This is all the same technique in the middle and lower price segment. However, there is no overpayment for the brand either, the cost is comparable (see reviews on Kitano air conditioners).
Industrial conditioning systems
Industrial and semi-industrial air conditioning systems do not make sense in detail. Such systems are basically a designer and are largely made to specific technical requirements on order.
The complete set represents universal external blocks coolers and various internal elements. Several internal elements can be connected to one external unit. The internal elements themselves can be of various kinds. For example, the Nikko floor version installed in the same room without a false ceiling and the cassette Montaro in the adjacent suspended ceiling.
The restrictions here are on the correspondence of the total power of indoor and outdoor units, the compatibility of various equipment. Part of dual-purpose semi-industrial equipment for compatibility, i.e.can work both in the industrial and in the domestic segment.
Series of wall split systems
- Asagiri ii. Issued since 2015. The served area is from 10 to 70 sq.m. The classic start-stop compressor control circuit. Noise level - from 32 to 48 dB;
- Asagiri ii plus. Improved previous series. Reduced power consumption and noise. The served area is from 10 to 70 sq.m. Noise level - from 24 to 38 dB;
- Toya inverter. Inverter compressor control circuit. The cooling area is from 20 to 60 sq.m. The noise level of the indoor unit is from 26 to 50 dB;
- Kappa. Classic design with no frills, budget model. The cooled area is from 15 to 70 sq.m. The noise level of the indoor unit 32 - 48 dB;
- Arare ii. It is characterized by increased accuracy of maintaining the set temperature - deviations of 0.2ºС. Inverter compressor control. The cooling area is from 20 to 70 sq.m. The noise level of the indoor unit 33 - 47 dB;
- Akebono. The series is available with two types of control - compressor and inverter. The type of control for a particular instance must be specified upon purchase. It features an improved external design. The served area is from 15 to 50 sq.m. Noise level 32 - 48 dB.
Discontinued series may also be found: Akira, Asagiri, Arare, Akina. Series in most cases are similar to current products. Fully compatible in components and components. The difference may be in worse performance, design.
All series operate in four modes: cooling, ventilation, drainage, heating. Additional modes:
- warm (hot) start. In heating mode, the supply of cold air from the street is excluded;
- night mode (with reduced noise);
- turbo (accelerated cooling).
All models have a remote control.
Comparative characteristics of models
| Model | KC Nikko 60 | KR- Kappa-07 | KR-Kappa-09 |
| Power consumption (cold / heat), W. | 6560/6970 | 656/597 | 812/765 |
| It cools the area to, sq.m. | up to 170 | 15 – 20 | 20 – 25 |
| Operating range during cooling, ºС | -7 – +48 | -24 – +35 | -24 – +35 |
| Operating range for heating, ºС | -7 – +24 | -6 – +7 | -6 – +7 |
| The noise level of the indoor unit, dB | 52 | 32 – 36 | 32 – 36 |
| Weight of blocks (internal / external), kg | 65/106 | 6,5/23 | 6,5/23,5 |
| Type of refrigerant | R410A | R410A | R410A |
| Estimated cost, rub. | 120 000 – 140 000 | 11 000 – 13 000 | 13 500 – 15 500 |
In the range of air conditioners, there may be different types included. Therefore, before purchasing it is necessary to consult a specialist. The data shown may not correspond to a specific product.
Instructions for the Kitano control panel and air conditioners
The instruction includes a description of the operation of the equipment, error codes of the air conditioners. It also recommends how to install the air conditioner. The equipment can only be turned on after a complete installation. The most convenient way to control equipment is from the remote control.
Models even within the same series can have significant differences. Applying instructions from one instance to another is not recommended. Highlights may be the same, but some important features are different. Which in the end can lead to equipment failure.
Error codes for Kitano air conditioners
The remote control for the air conditioner is also a display for displaying error codes. The fault code number is also duplicated on the indoor unit indicator and / or LED indicators of operating modes. Usually these are indicators “work”, “timer”. They blink at regular intervals, indicating that the air conditioner is malfunctioning. The instruction describes each situation.
It is strongly not recommended to repair the air conditioner yourself.
User reviews
We examined the air conditioners of Kitano. Reviews about this "Japanese" are generally positive.
Of the negative reviews, many noted the discrepancy with the "Japanese brand." Or they do not control the assembly of products. Build level of ordinary Chinese, consumer-friendly air conditioner. Insignificant at first glance imperfections in different places as a whole spoil the general impression: the quality of the plastic, insufficient insulation of the external unit.
The equipment does a good job of basic functions. In the heat it cools the room quickly enough.And in the autumn period, until the heat mains are turned on, it can heat up. For economy class air conditioners, this is quality equipment. Nice appearance. They also note ease of use.
To summarize: if you do not pay attention to the “Japaneseized” brand, then the equipment is on a par with high-quality Chinese equipment of the lower and middle segments.
