Seiya Plus

Overview and positioning

Seiya Plus is Toshiba's wall-mounted series built around three priorities at once: looks, phone control and calm operation. The version described here consists of the indoor unit RAS-B13S4KVG-E and the outdoor unit RAS-13E2AVG-E. The key difference from many units of similar size is that the Wi-Fi module is part of the set, so you do not have to look for it or order it separately.

Let us clear up the naming straight away. Customers who search for a unit of roughly three and a half kilowatts often land on this model because it sits in that size class. Its nominal capacity is 3.3 kW in cooling and 3.6 kW in heating, and those are the values we use for the description and for sizing. The compressor range runs from 1.2 to 3.6 kW in cooling and up to 4.5 kW in heating, so the unit can briefly deliver more than the nominal figure and settle well below it once the room is stable.

The manufacturer describes the series as a mix of reasonable cost, advanced technology and aesthetics, and the family covers cooling capacities from 1.5 to 6.5 kW. For us the Seiya Plus 3.3 kW is a proposal for a customer who wants an app, a schedule and voice control as standard, and does not need elaborate specialist functions. If you are unsure whether 3.3 kW is enough for your room, we check it during the free assessment.

Cooling and heating technology

Seiya Plus is a new generation of Toshiba air conditioners with inverter technology and a Toshiba rotary compressor. The inverter means the compressor does not switch fully on and off; it smoothly adjusts its speed to current demand. In practice the room reaches the target temperature quickly, and afterwards the unit runs at low speed and holds it without swings. The manufacturer also redesigned the heat exchanger and the fan rotor, which is meant to raise the efficiency of the whole system.

Seasonal efficiency is SEER 7.0 in cooling and SCOP 4.6 in heating, and both modes carry energy class A++. For a flat dweller that matters, because a unit with sensible efficiency loads the electricity bill far less than older fixed-speed designs. The 3.6 kW heating output is enough to warm a room in spring and autumn without switching on central heating, and on milder winter days it can simply be a convenient supplement.

The outdoor temperature range is -15 to 46 °C in cooling and -15 to 24 °C in heating. The refrigerant is R32, and the manufacturer notes its safety for the ozone layer. It is worth knowing that in frosty heating mode the unit periodically defrosts the outdoor coil, and the remote offers forced defrosting as well. This is normal for air-to-air heat pumps and not a fault, so do not be alarmed when steam appears outside.

Comfort and air quality

The indoor unit runs at a sound pressure level from 20 to 41 dB, depending on the fan speed. At the lowest setting it is a very quiet sound that should not get in the way of falling asleep. The manufacturer's brochure additionally gives a quiet mode from 19 dB(A), which is 3 dB below the low fan speed. For the bedroom, the Comfort Sleep mode on the remote is also meant for night use.

Noise also concerns the outdoor unit on the facade or balcony, because neighbours and we ourselves hear it through an open window. The outdoor unit is rated at 48 dB, and with the Silent function on, its sound pressure level drops by 5 dB. If the unit is going to hang near a bedroom window, this is one of the functions worth switching on at night.

Air quality is supported by the Ultra Fresh filtration system, which according to the manufacturer catches up to 85% of PM2.5 particles. That is a reasonable extra in a city where smog can be a problem, although the filter does not replace an air purifier and needs regular cleaning according to the manual. The indoor heat exchanger has a coating that prevents mould and dust build-up, and after cooling the unit dries the exchanger, limiting moisture and mould growth. These are two separate mechanisms that complement each other.

Controls and Wi-Fi

The strongest point of this model is control. The manufacturer includes the Wi-Fi module in the set and points to the Toshiba Home AC Control app. Once paired with your home network, you set the temperature, operating mode and fan speed from your phone, also when you are away and want a cooled flat on return from work. The app offers a weekly schedule, so you can plan the unit to start before you come home on working days and to run differently at weekends.

The second element is voice control. The model works with Google Home and Amazon Alexa assistants, so you can change the temperature or switch the unit off with a command when your hands are busy. The condition, of course, is a working Wi-Fi network in the flat and an account with your chosen assistant. During commissioning we help with the setup so that you are not left to do it alone.

The WH-TG01NE remote is included and handles the basic functions: Mode, five fan speeds or auto, Quiet, Hi Power, ECO, Fix and Swing settings, the 8 C function, Comfort Sleep and an ON/OFF timer. The manufacturer also mentions wired control and an optional remote with a weekly programmer; these are extras, so if you need them we agree on that before ordering. Thanks to the remote, the unit keeps working when your home internet happens to be down.

In daily use it helps to start with a simple scenario: a schedule for working days, ECO mode in the evening and a quick burst of cold through Hi Power when you come back on a hot day. Once the routine works, you only change the rest of the settings occasionally.

Design and build

The indoor unit has a low profile and rounded edges, and its surface is glossy. The white casing blends into typical flat walls, and the elegant LED illumination shows the operating state without glaring in a dark room. That is how the manufacturer puts it, and for us it is a sufficient description. Some customers prefer matte finishes, so we encourage looking at the model before deciding.

The indoor unit measures 770 mm wide, 225 mm deep and 288 mm high and weighs 9 kg. Above a door or above a sofa it takes relatively little space and does not dominate the room, and the light construction makes work easier when hanging it on the wall. When planning, check that there is clearance above the unit for free air flow and for filter servicing.

The outdoor side of the installation needs separate attention. The outdoor unit uses a rotary compressor, and we choose its place so that the pipe run is short and the noise least bothersome for the household and neighbours. When choosing a location we take into account condensate drainage and access for later inspections. We plan the whole job so that the look of the indoor unit is not spoiled by untidily routed lines.

It is also worth remembering the colour and finish: according to the manufacturer's data the casing is white, and a glossy surface shows fingerprints and dust more than a matte one. Wiping it with a soft cloth from time to time is perfectly enough, and a smooth body without sharp folds is easy to keep clean.

Installation and service

We quote the installed price after a free assessment. The standard scope covers mounting the indoor and outdoor units, up to a few metres of refrigerant, electrical and condensate runs, a wall penetration and neat routing of the installation. We perform vacuuming and a leak check of the system, charge it with refrigerant and start the unit, then check the operating parameters and configure the controls, including the connection to the app.

At the end we give a run-through of operation and hand over the warranty documents. The manufacturer allows an installation length of up to 15 m, which is plenty for most flats. We settle the scope of work at the free assessment, and we discuss possible surcharges before work begins. They can result from a longer run, drilling through concrete or reinforced concrete, chasing walls, a condensate pump or work from a lift platform.

After installation the air conditioner needs ordinary care: clean the filters in the indoor unit regularly and have the whole system serviced periodically, ideally once a year before the season. A clean filter means better air flow, quieter operation and lower energy use. If you use the Wi-Fi module, remember that after changing your router or network password the unit has to be connected again, and we will help if you run into trouble.

When you contact us, it helps to mention the floor, the wall type and the place where the outdoor unit is to stand: a balcony, a facade or a garage roof. These three details let us estimate the scope of work before the visit, and at the assessment we refine the details, photos of the route and possible obstacles in the building, for example housing association rules about facades.

Who this model is for — summary

The Seiya Plus 3.3 kW is a good choice for people who want phone control, a weekly schedule and voice operation without extra purchases. It makes sense in a bedroom, a medium-sized living room or a small flat where quiet operation at night matters. The quiet mode from 19 dB(A) and the Silent function of the outdoor unit help most where the outdoor unit sits close to windows.

The model is not the best idea if you expect very high capacity in a large space; then we consider higher-capacity versions from the same family or other series. Nor should it be the only heat source in a house during hard frosts, even though the heating operating range reaches -15 °C. Treat it as a convenient, energy-saving supplement to heating in the transitional seasons.

If you want to check whether this capacity suits your room, write or call LeoKlima. We will come for a free assessment, judge the place for the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, work out the installation route and give the installed price after a free assessment. That way you will know what the whole job costs before you order anything.

For order, here are the key figures in one place: 3.3 kW in cooling, 3.6 kW in heating, SEER 7.0, SCOP 4.6, indoor noise from 20 to 41 dB, outdoor 48 dB, indoor unit weight 9 kg and a run of up to 15 m. If any of these values is crucial for you, let us talk before you choose a model, because it is easier to match a unit to a room than a room to a unit.