Webasto’s new solution unites the BlueCool marine air conditioner with a BlueHeat water heater

Stockdorf/Munich – August 5, 2008 – Webasto, the leading manufacturer of high-quality air conditioning solutions for powerboats and yachts, is expanding its product range of integrated sailboat heating and cooling systems with the BlueComfort Classic. The technology, a new solution designed by the Global Comfort Solutions (GCS) division, combines a compact air conditioner with a water heater. The combined solution will be available as both original marine equipment and as an installation kit for boats for retrofitting.
Weather conditions on the water are not always ideal during the boating season, which can mean wet or cold weather. Many on-board heating and cooling systems are equipped to not only cool the cabin, but also provide the option to work as a heat pump. Yet the systems depend on mild water temperatures. If the water temperature decreases to less than 6°C/42°F, the reverse cycle system works inefficiently and the unit’s heating capacity is not enough to heat the boat.

Webasto designed the BlueComfort Classic System in order to provide complete climate control regardless of the weather conditions. It consists of a BlueHeat water heater and a BlueCool air conditioner integrated into one system. This combined climate solution is cost-efficient, saves space, and provides the perfect air temperature on board using only one single operating system.

The BlueComfort Classic’s heating power runs over a second heat exchanger located behind the evaporator, which is connected to a diesel-fired water heater. This heat exchanger combination in the BlueComfort Classic also acts as a highly efficient marine dehumidifier. The reheating of the air also eliminates moisture, ensuring that the boat’s interior stays pleasantly dry even in cool or wet weather conditions.
“The new Webasto BlueComfort Classic combines the advantages of a compact air conditioner with a highly efficient diesel heater,” explains Denis Merle, Director Marine Segment of Webasto. “With a cooling capacity between 9,000 and 20,000 BTU and a heating performance between 2.6 and 5.2 kW, the Webasto BlueComfort Classic systems offer an economical solution in original equipment or as a retrofitted, integrated climatic comfort system for various types of boats suppliers.”

About Webasto’s Marine Segment
Webasto offers complete and integrated solutions for optimizing climatic comfort on board ships and yatchs in its Marine segment of its Global Comfort Solutions (GCS) division. www.webasto-marine.com

About Webasto:
Webasto AG headquartered in Stockdorf near Munich has been a family-run business ever since the company was founded in 1901. It has about 7,000 employees at 58 international locations and is specialized in the Convertible, Roof & Body (CRB) and Global Comfort Solutions (GCS) business segments. With sales of around 1.8 billion euros (2007 business year) Webasto is one of the top 100 automotive suppliers worldwide. The company's core competencies include development and production of convertible, roof and body systems as well as heating, cooling and ventilation systems for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. You will find further information at: www.webasto.com