空調(くうちょう)

空調(くうちょう) is a building-engineering term covering all aspects of climate control — heating, cooling, ventilation, and humidity. It is the standard word in Japanese architecture, building management, and engineering for what English speakers call "HVAC."

Forms

• Short form of 空気調和(くうきちょうわ) ("air harmonization")
• 空気(くうき) ("air") + 調和(ちょうわ) ("harmony, balance") → 空気調和(くうきちょうわ) → 空調(くうちょう)

Common collocations

• 空調(くうちょう)設備(せつび): HVAC equipment, climate control system
• 空調(くうちょう)システム: HVAC system
• 空調(くうちょう)を入(い)れる / 切(き)る: to turn the air conditioning on / off
• 空調(くうちょう)が効(き)く: for the air conditioning to work / be effective
• 空調(くうちょう)管理(かんり): HVAC management
• 空調(くうちょう)工事(こうじ): HVAC installation work
• 全館(ぜんかん)空調(くうちょう): whole-building air conditioning

Similar / related terms

• エアコン: air conditioner (loanword; more colloquial; usually a single residential unit)
• 冷房(れいぼう): cooling, air conditioning (specifically the cooling function)
• 暖房(だんぼう): heating
• 換気(かんき): ventilation (air exchange between inside and outside)
• 通気(つうき): ventilation, airflow (more passive than 換気(かんき))
• 湿度(しつど)調整(ちょうせい): humidity control
• ヒートポンプ: heat pump

Usage

• 空調(くうちょう) sounds technical or institutional — used in offices, hospitals, factories, transit stations, and rental contracts. For your apartment in everyday speech, エアコン or 冷暖房(れいだんぼう) sounds more natural.
• In job listings and building specifications, 全館(ぜんかん)空調(くうちょう) ("central air conditioning throughout the building") is a selling point that goes beyond having window-mounted エアコン units in each room.
• Verbs that take 空調(くうちょう) as object: 入(い)れる, 切(き)る, 止(と)める, 点検(てんけん)する ("to inspect"), 調整(ちょうせい)する ("to adjust").