As the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD IV) enters its implementation phase, the HVAC industry faces a decisive shift in how system efficiency, monitoring, and automation are defined and maintained. In this evolving context, Daikin presented its Smart Control System (SCS) at European Heat Pump Summit. SCS is a key enabler for building owners and facility managers seeking to comply with the new regulatory requirements while achieving verifiable, sustained energy efficiency.
Learn more and get the Daikin Smart Control System presentation and discover how to enhance HVAC efficiency and performance.
EPBD IV aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of the European building stock, introducing mandatory measures for the digitalisation and active management of technical building systems (TBS). The Directive establishes clear criteria for the implementation of Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS), particularly in non-residential buildings.
According to the updated provisions, BACS become compulsory for:
The Directive also reinforces the need for data-driven management, requiring that energy consumption and system performance be tracked, stored, and periodically assessed. For designers and operators, this represents a major step forward — from static compliance to dynamic verification, where the building’s operational behaviour becomes the true benchmark of efficiency.
Daikin’s Smart Control System (SCS) directly addresses these new expectations by providing a turnkey, fully integrated solution designed to monitor and optimise the performance of entire HVAC plants. Unlike conventional building management systems that require extensive configuration and third-party integration, SCS is specifically engineered around Daikin equipment and logic, ensuring plug-and-play interoperability across chillers, heat pumps, air handling units, fan coils and auxiliary components. The system’s native connectivity and standardised structure enable a consistent and scalable approach to automation — one that fits both new-build applications and revamping projects.
Through a simplified commissioning process, SCS delivers:
A key strength of the Daikin Smart Control System lies in its ease of adoption. The system is delivered as a ready-to-use package, configured and validated by Daikin engineers. By providing standardised data structures, pre-tested communication modules, and integrated dashboards, SCS drastically reduces both installation time and commissioning uncertainty. It also ensures that energy reporting and performance documentation align with the monitoring and verification obligations of EPBD IV.
For engineering consultancies and facility managers, this means a measurable and verifiable method to document energy performance over time — a crucial factor as Member States translate EPBD IV into national regulations.
Moreover, the SCS platform supports seamless integration with Eurovent-certified Daikin equipment, adding an additional layer of reliability. While certification continues to serve as an important baseline for component performance, SCS ensures that such performance is sustained in real operating conditions — closing the loop between design, verification, and operation.
Smart Control System is offered in three main configurations, allowing for scalability in hardware, license and price. Each version can manage up to 4 chillers or heat pumps with a total cooling capacity of up to 500 kW and additional equipment as follows:
A fan coil zone can consist of up to 30 fan coils, managed via a dedicated controller, also developed and supplied by Daikin.
SCS is available to manage plants composed of the equipment as follows, offering flexibility to cover many different applications and installations.
The Daikin Smart Control System (SCS) is a fully pre-configured platform for managing water-air HVAC systems, eliminating the need for external integrations. It uses standard Modbus/RS-485 architecture and automatic configuration through dedicated system selection software, significantly reducing design, setup, and commissioning time.
SCS is designed in full compliance with the EPBD BACS requirements, offering integrated automation, real-time monitoring, and dynamic management of setpoints and sequences to ensure regulatory conformity and energy efficiency.
Selection depends on the number of datapoints and connected devices — approximately 500 / 1,250 / 2,500 points, respectively. SCS manages up to four main units and approximately 120 fan coil units, with guided configuration through Daikin's setup software.
Yes. The system is suitable for both new HVAC installations and existing systems undergoing unit replacement or modernization, making it ideal for retrofit applications.
The SCS design fully meets the EPBD-mandated BACS functions, including automation, monitoring, and data logging, ensuring EPBD compliance and supporting sustainable building operations.
Yes. Its automation, adaptability, and monitoring capabilities support a higher SRI score and promote building digitalization and smart energy management.
Yes. The system continuously records key energy parameters, enabling the automated generation of reports for energy audits and compliance verification.
SCS is ideal for complex hydronic systems combining chillers, AHUs, and FCUs. Common applications include hotels, hospitals, universities, airports, retail centers, and commercial buildings.
Commissioning is fast and simple thanks to automatic configuration via the selection software. The system offers plug-and-play installation with minimal calibration required during startup.
Yes. The Daikin Smart Control System (SCS) provides native coordination of hydronic circuits and air handling units through synergistic control sequences and shared sensors, ensuring fully integrated, energy-efficient, and intelligent HVAC management.
SCS enhances system efficiency and enables smart control strategies for heat pumps and other HVAC components, aligning with the EU ZEB 2050 trajectory.
Yes. SCS is available for Daikin systems and can be implemented in both new installations and retrofit projects.
Unlike generic BMS solutions, SCS is a dedicated Daikin vertical solution that integrates chiller, AHU, and FCU logic natively, eliminating the need for external BMS integration and simplifying design, commissioning, and operation.
Daikin heat pumps are manufactured in Italy, at the headquarters and heart of Daikin Applied Europe, located in Ariccia (Rome). This factory is dedicated to producing high-quality HVAC equipment, including two main types of heat pumps: air-source and water-source.
Visit the Daikin Chillers Product Page to explore our full range of high-efficiency cooling solutions.
Visit the Daikin Heat Pumps Product Page to explore our full range of high-efficiency heating and cooling solutions.
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Daikin is a leader in the air handling market. The company operates five AHU factories in the EMEA region, producing over 7,000 units in 2023. These factories are in Caleppio di Settala (Italy), Cramlington (Northumberland, UK), Istanbul (Turkey), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), and Dubai (UAE). Thanks to this distributed production network, we can ensure optimal delivery times and cost efficiency.
Visit the Daikin Air Handling Units (AHUs) Product Page to explore our full range of high-performance HVAC solutions.
Daikin's AHUs can work in both direct expansion (DX) and hydronic systems. DX systems are ideal for applications that require precise control of temperature and humidity, while hydronic systems are particularly suitable for large buildings and structures that require uniform distribution of heating or cooling. Thanks to this flexibility, Daikin AHUs can ensure optimal comfort and superior energy efficiency in any context.
Get in touch with Daikin by sending a contact request and receive tailored assistance, technical advice, and solutions for your heating and cooling projects.
Contact Daikin to receive full support and expert guidance for all your HVAC needs.