By Eamonn Ryan
A well-known brand is returning to the South African air conditioning market: Kelon. While the name might be unfamiliar to newer contractors, the brand was previously highly regarded in South Africa before being bought out and rebranded.
Kelon was relaunched at the Solar & Storage Live Africa event in March 2025. Supplied by Kelon
Ten years later, Kelon was relaunched at the Solar & Storage Live Africa event in March 2025.
It now boasts a heritage linked to a well-established global HVAC manufacturer. Kelon is strategically re-entering the market with a focus on premium products, leveraging an innovative distribution strategy through the solar energy sector and with ambitious plans to expand into the commercial space.
Ben de Wet, air-conditioning sales engineer and key account manager for the Kelon range, says: “Currently, there’s a common trend of lower-cost products being introduced into the African market – in contrast Kelon’s approach in Africa prioritises premium products. Despite being manufactured by a leading HVAC manufacturer in China, the Kelon OEM is being promoted as a standalone brand.”
The Kelon units currently available in South Africa are residential models, ranging from 9 000 btu to 36 000 btu. These inverter units boast features appealing to the modern consumer, including wi-fi capability, silent operation, and the option of both infrared and wired remotes. They are also solar and grid compatible. Furthermore, Kelon positions itself competitively in the mid-tier market, but with attractive pricing. Notably, Kelon units meet the growing demand for energy efficiency, with EER values ranging from 3.3 to 3.6, aligning with upcoming regulations and offering a lower carbon footprint compared to less efficient models.
What sets Kelon’s initial market entry apart is its distribution strategy. Kelon has partnered with CNBM, a Chinese logistics company with a significant presence in the solar energy sector. Leveraging CNBM’s existing network of solar equipment distributors and contractors, Kelon has gained access to a ready-made channel. This proved highly successful, with an impressive 90% of the initial 10 containers of Kelon units sold within two months initially just in Gauteng. This piggybacking strategy tapped into a market where contractors often handle both solar and air conditioning installations, proving to be a shrewd move. De Wet says a further shipment of 20 containers will be distributed – including to the other major centres.
Looking ahead, Kelon has significant ambitions in the commercial HVAC market. The brand plans to introduce a range of commercial units, including cassette, under-ceiling and standalone options, as well as multi- unit systems. The first containers of these Commercial Air Conditioning (CAC) units are expected to arrive in South Africa around June.
The decision to enter the commercial market reflects Kelon’s confidence in its product and its desire to capture a broader segment of the HVAC industry. Kelon believes its competitively priced, feature- rich units, backed by a robust distribution network and after-sales service through CNBM, will resonate with commercial clients focused on long-term operational efficiency and lifecycle costs, he says.
Prioritising support and ease of maintenance
Kelon is placing a strong emphasis on after-sales support, recognising it as a critical factor for success in the industry. Kelon has established robust channels for both spare parts and backup service through its distribution partnership with CNBM. This strategy ensures that contractors have readily available access to the necessary components for maintenance and repairs. Non-critical spares are also readily available at its Germiston warehouse, offering contractors convenient access.
“Kelon air conditioners are designed for quick and easy fault finding, and a dedicated fault-finding guide is provided to assist technicians in diagnosing issues efficiently. This focus on simplified diagnostics minimises downtime and streamlines repairs,” says De Wet.
The units come with a 12-month total warranty and a five-year warranty on the compressor.
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