Samsung and LG Clash in the U.S. HVAC Market: Residential Outdoor Units vs. Industrial Chillers
South Korea's leading home appliance companies, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, are accelerating their efforts to target the North American heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) market. Samsung Electronics is aiming at the residential market with its outdoor unit for the unitary (central air conditioning) system, while LG Electronics is focusing on the industrial sector through its "chillers." Samsung and LG will participate in the AHR Expo, the largest HVAC exhibition in North America, which will be held in Orlando, Florida, from February 10-12 (local time). The AHR Expo is an event hosted by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), where over 1,800 global companies will showcase the latest products and technologies. Samsung Electronics will showcase its high-efficiency hybrid inverter outdoor unit, the "Hyrex R454B," at the event. This is a solution aimed at targeting the North American residential unitary market. Unitary systems are a North American-specific air conditioning method used in homes or small to medium-sized buildings, where cool air is distributed through ducts for cooling. With the Hyrex outdoor unit, Samsung Electronics presents a differentiated solution that is highly compatible with indoor units and easy to install. The Hyrex outdoor unit can use existing refrigerant piping and wiring during replacement, and it allows for connections with pipes of various sizes, increasing installation convenience and reducing costs. Samsung Electronics has set up a 350㎡ (approximately 100-pyeong) booth. The company will showcase a range of residential and commercial HVAC solutions, including the following: ▲ high-efficiency hybrid inverter outdoor unit "Hyrex (Hylex) R454B," ▲ residential heat pump "EHS," and ▲ high-efficiency system air conditioner R32 "DVM" lineup. The residential heat pump EHS is a solution for underfloor heating and domestic hot water. By using air heat and electricity to generate hot water, it is more efficient and produces less carbon compared to boilers that use fossil fuels. The commercial DVM large-capacity system air conditioner has been designed with environmental considerations in mind, utilizing R32 refrigerant, which has about 32% of the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of the conventional R410A refrigerant. Choi Hang-seok, Executive Director of Samsung Electronics' DA Business Division, stated, "We will actively target the global HVAC market, including the North American market." At this exhibition, LG Electronics is targeting the high-efficiency HVAC market with its "chiller" products. Recently, chillers have gained significant attention due to the growing demand for heat management in large buildings, including AI data centers, driven by the investment in AI infrastructure by big tech companies. Chillers circulate cold water through heat exchangers to supply cool air. They are primarily installed in large buildings or industrial facilities such as factories. In its year-end personnel changes last year, LG Electronics established a new ES Business Division with the goal of becoming a global top-tier integrated HVAC company. The company has set up a 646㎡ (approximately 195-pyeong) space to offer customized HVAC solutions, from industrial to residential applications. This year, the space has been expanded by 73㎡ compared to last year, reaching a total of 646㎡. LG Electronics introduced a "no-oil inverter turbo chiller" that does not use lubricating oil on the motor shaft. By applying magnetic bearing technology, the motor shaft of the high-speed compressor is levitated and supported by electromagnetic force, reducing friction loss and improving energy efficiency. In addition to the chiller, LG also presented its heating lineup. The "inverter heat pump" lineup is designed to cater to various climates across the U.S. Considering the prevalence of large single-family homes in North America, the system offers residential heating and cooling solutions in a unitary format that uses ducts, meeting the diverse needs of local customers. The "Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump," which won the "2025 AHR Innovation Award" in the Sustainability Solutions category, maintains stable heating performance even at -35°C. Lee Jae-sung, Head of LG Electronics' ES Business Division (Vice President), stated, "We will accelerate our B2B business with various space- and climate-customized heating and cooling solutions, including chillers, which are gaining attention as heat management solutions for AI data centers." He added, "We will expand our influence in the global HVAC market." ChatGPT를 사용하여 번역한 기사입니다.
