LG And University of Alaska Anchorage Open Heat Pump Labs for Cold-Climate HVAC Research
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By News Reporter
To deliver innovative heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions that are Ahead of the Expected, LG continues to push the boundaries of heat pump technology in cold climates. At AHR Expo 2025 in Orlando, Florida, the company showcased its energy-efficient solutions that enhance comfort while hosting a special roundtable on the Consortium for Advanced Heat Pump Research and its vision for the industry. Three LG representatives joined the consortium to bring their knowledge and insights to the table.
As climate change continues to cause major disruption around the world, the need for high-efficiency heating and cooling systems for all temperatures has been rising. Steve Scarbrough, senior vice president and general manager of LG Air Conditioning Technologies USA, joined the panel to highlight the advantages of LG’s heat pump technology in extreme climates. LG offers a wide lineup of heat pump solutions, including water heaters, boasting its cutting-edge inverter heat pump technology. What’s more, with the introduction of a highly efficient, oil-free inverter centrifugal chiller, LG now supplies 259,000 RT of chilled water to one of the largest data centers in the world. “We are excited to bring new products to market that are customized for all kinds of environments from single small spaces to large-scale industry settings,” said Scarborough.
Although heat pumps have traditionally been associated with warmer southern climates, LG’s introduction of its Inverter Compressor to the U.S. has allowed it to build a strong lineup of heat pumps that provide effective heating in cold climates. Moreover, LG has expanded its LGRED° (Reliable to Extreme Degrees) Heat Technology to more products, facilitating high-efficiency performance under more challenging conditions.
LG has successfully constructed substantial networks in heat pump solutions by investing in research and development and strategic partnerships with key industry players. For example, LG established the Consortium for Advanced Heat Pump Research with the University of Alaska network in 2023 to conduct real-life research and testing on various types of heat pumps.
Sunwoo Kim, professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, said the consortium focuses on minimizing thermal resistance in the outdoor unit’s heat exchanger to maximize heat pump efficiency. Researchers are also trying to uncover innovative ways to integrate heat pumps with existing fossil fuel boilers. “If we have a smart and well-designed hybrid system that optimally balances the heat pump with existing traditional systems, we could significantly reduce costs and carbon dioxide emissions,” said Kim. The University of Alaska’s cold climate heat pump labs in Anchorage opened last December, and is now testing heat pump applications in the real world.
The partnership with the Universities has already borne fruit. For instance, the first joint project with the University of Alaska Fairbanks has been largely credited for the LG Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump, which won the 2025 AHR Innovation Award. “The consortium aims to become the major hub of research and education in cold climate heating systems,” said Getu Hailu, associate professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alaska Anchorage and faculty advisor for ASHRAE and ASME.
By constantly promoting deeper discussions to realize its vision for heat pump solutions, LG has once again demonstrated its unwavering dedication to breaking down barriers in cold climate heating while underscoring its status as the leading innovator of heat pumps.
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By News Reporter
Innovative Appliances Leverage Company’s Industry-leading Technologies to
Deliver Exceptional Efficiency and Convenient Customer Experiences
SEOUL, Feb. 19, 2025 — LG Electronics (LG) is presenting its state-of-the-art laundry solutions at the 2025 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). The new models leverage LG’s industry-leading inverter heat pump and AI technologies, delivering enhanced efficiency and a host of convenient energy- and time-saving features. Embodying LG’s Zero Labor Home vision and customized for the North American market, the latest lineup offers an extensive range of options to meet customers’ diverse needs.
LG’s washer and dryer, powered by LG’s energy-efficient dual inverter heat pump, will be displayed in the Zero Venting zone of LG’s booth at KBIS. Featuring an innovative ventless design, these laundry solutions are easier to install than conventional vented models and optimize space utilization, making them easier to install. In addition, LG’s laundry solutions employ Artificial Intelligence Direct Drive (AI DD) technology that offers sophisticated clothing care with a simpler user experience, analyzing load weight and fabric type to automatically apply the optimal washing and drying motions to achieve the best results.
LG will also showcase the SIGNATURE 29-inch laundry solution lineup, including a washer and dryer pair and the impressive WashTower. The new washer and dryer feature a sleek, luxurious design and boast the largest capacities in their categories – 5.8 cubic feet for the washer and 9.0 cubic feet for the dryer. To increase capacity without occupying additional floor space, LG’s mini wash and pedestal can be installed directly beneath the washer and dryer. The new LG SIGNATURE washer and WashTower both deliver exceptional performance and efficiency with advanced AI Wash and TurboWash 360° features, enabling users to complete more laundry in less time, leading to zero inefficiency in daily chores.
In the Zero Gas zone, visitors can explore the benefits of LG’s latest heat pump-equipped laundry solutions. Unlike conventional gas-vented dryers, LG’s heat pump dryers use a closed-loop system that recirculates air within the drum. This innovative system not only facilitates effective low-temperature drying but also helps reduce fabric damage, boost efficiency and contribute to lowering the carbon footprint, setting a new benchmark for sustainable laundry care. Also on display in the zone is the 27-inch LG WashCombo. This all-in-one washer and dryer combines an inverter heat pump with a ventless design and a space-saving configuration. The WashCombo, when paired with LG’s diverse laundry solutions, provides a seamless and stylish laundry setup for any household environment.
For added convenience, all of LG’s new laundry solutions can be remotely controlled and monitored via the intuitive ThinQ app. The app also lets users track their LG appliances’ energy consumption and offers access to ThinQ Care, which helps prevent costly and inconvenient service visits by alerting users to potential issues before they occur.
“LG will continue to leverage its advanced heat pump technology to strengthen its leadership in the North American premium home appliance market,” said Lyu Jae-cheol, president of the LG Home Appliance Solution Company. “The new laundry solutions we’re displaying at KBIS 2025 illustrate our progress in, and commitment to, realizing the Zero Labor Home vision.”
Visitors to KBIS 2025 can experience the new LG laundry solutions firsthand at the company’s booth (West Hall #2417, Las Vegas Convention Center).
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By News Reporter
Award-winning Heat Pump Delivers Advanced Efficiency and
Heating Performance in Extreme Cold Conditions
SEOUL, Oct. 29, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG), a leading global player in air conditioning technologies, has been honored with the 2025 AHR Innovation Award in the Sustainable Solutions category for its advanced LG Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump. The award was decided by an independent panel of ASHRAE member judges, who assessed product entries based on their design, creativity, application, value and market impact potential.
The LG Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump, which will be showcased at the AHR Expo 2025 in Orlando, Florida next February, offers opportunities to reduce energy consumption, contributing to climate change mitigation while improving inhabitants’ comfort.
Designed specifically for cold regions, LG’s heat pump operates effectively at temperatures as low as negative 35 degrees Celsius (negative 31 degrees Fahrenheit). It retains full heating capacity at negative 25 degrees Celsius (negative 13 degrees Fahrenheit) and functions at 70 percent capacity at negative 35 degrees Celsius (negative 31 degrees Fahrenheit). Additionally, the innovative heat pump incorporates a refrigerant cycle that prevents frost accumulation on the outdoor heat exchanger, thereby enhancing heating performance. The impressive solution is also equipped with a high-capacity, high-efficiency twin rotary inverter compressor that uses low Global Warming Potential (GWP) R32 (GWP 675) refrigerant, available with HSPF2 13.4 Btu/Wh and 13.6 kBtu/h.
“The recognition from ASHRAE and AHR reflects LG’s ongoing dedication to HVAC technological innovation and electrification,” said James Lee, head of the Air Solution Business Unit at LG Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “The Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump is a solution that can withstand extreme cold weather conditions and help improve energy efficiency in homes. Our focus remains on creating more environmentally responsible solutions that align with consumer needs while simultaneously reducing our global environmental footprint.”
LG’s comprehensive suite of heating and cooling solutions for commercial, light-commercial and residential applications continues to receive industry recognition. This is largely due to LG’s consistent efforts to provide innovative HVAC solutions leveraging the company’s advanced core technologies, which elevate performance and support the move to electrification.
LG prioritizes heat pump advancement as a key component of the U.S.’s climate improvement efforts. Several states have committed to improving decarbonization, setting a goal for heat pumps to constitute at least 65 percent of all new HVAC and hot water heating systems by the end of the decade.
LG’s commitment to these broader goals is further demonstrated by its leadership of the Consortium for Advanced Heat Pump Research, founded in collaboration with the University of Alaska to establish an Advanced Cold Climate Heat Pump Laboratory in Alaska. LG has also set up a global R&D triangle connecting North America, Europe (Oslo, Norway) and Asia (Harbin, China), with the aim of accelerating the development of high-performance heat pumps for regions that endure extreme cold.
“We understand the need to develop and validate products under extreme cold conditions, and the award-winning LG Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump is a testament to our ongoing efforts in this important area,” added Lee. “By minimizing reliance on fossil fuel-driven heating systems and cutting down on any supplementary back-up heating, the heat pump reduces environmental impacts and supports the larger decarbonization and electrification movements.”
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By News Reporter
A Joint Effort Between LG and Top Research Universities, Consortium to Accelerate
the Development of Next-Generation Heat Pump and Establish Industry Standards
SEOUL, Sep. 24, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) is hosting the first-ever meeting of the Global Heat Pump Consortium in Seoul, South Korea, from September 23-26. A cooperative venture between LG and a growing number of international universities, the consortium is focused on developing new, more efficient heat pump technologies, including solutions designed to handle harsh climatic conditions. The event brings together LG personnel and academics from participating universities to introduce heat pump technologies and discuss industry-academia projects being conducted by each of the consortium’s regional clusters.
The Global Heat Pump Consortium comprises LG-led heat pump R&D consortiums established in Alaska, USA (November 2023) and in Oslo, Norway and Harbin, China (June and August of 2024, respectively). The consortium also includes a South Korean cluster, with LG working collaboratively with respected universities in Seoul and Busan to drive heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) innovation.
On the first day of the event, LG introduced key heat pump technologies and products from its industry-leading lineup of high-efficiency HVAC solutions. Each regional consortium then provided an update on its specific research tasks and shared its current progress in evaluating high-performance heat pump tech for challenging climates. The inaugural meeting of the global consortium is also offering attendees valuable learning opportunities, with seminars and discussions on topics, including the latest HVAC industry and market trends, and future technologies for region-specific heat pump solutions.
Through cooperating with universities known for their top-tier HVAC research programs, LG is strengthening its own R&D capabilities and accelerating the development of the next generation of heat pumps. The company anticipates that the groundbreaking work being carried out by the consortium will also help strengthen its competitiveness in the global heating and cooling solutions market.
Internationally, the demand for high-efficiency, low-carbon-emission heat pumps is rapidly increasing, in large part due to the worldwide electrification and decarbonization trends. Solidifying its status as a technology leader and responsible corporate citizen, LG is leveraging its cutting-edge heat pump technology to deliver region-specific heating and cooling solutions for the North American, European and Asian HVAC markets.
At an investor forum in August, LG highlighted “B2B acceleration” as one of its four key strategies for business portfolio innovation. The HVAC business, a major component of the company’s diverse B2B portfolio, has become a market leader based on the strength of its advanced, highly-efficient core technologies, such as inverter compressors, heat exchangers and AI engines.
Around the globe, LG is enhancing the capabilities of its HVAC business through creating locally complete systems encompassing R&D, sales, manufacturing and maintenance. In addition, the company currently operates five Air Solution Research Labs – with facilities located in Korea, North America, Europe and India – and has a network of HVAC academies spanning 43 countries and training over 30,000 engineers annually.
“We are committed to accelerating our HVAC business, with heat pump innovation as the cornerstone of our vision,” said James Lee, head of the Air Solution Business Unit at LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “Through the Global Heat Pump Consortium, we aim to lead the HVAC industry with decarbonization solutions aligned with the global electrification trend.”
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By News Reporter
Partnership to Enhance Company’s High-performance Heat Pump Solutions for Cold Climates,
Lay Groundwork for the Development of Next-generation Technologies
SEOUL, Sep. 3, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) is completing its global R&D triangle with the establishment of the Chinese Consortium for Advanced Heat Pump Research (CCAHR) in Harbin. The consortium, which joins existing LG-led initiatives in North America and Europe, will develop next-generation core technologies for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions capable of providing strong, dependable performance in extreme cold conditions.
To mark the official launch of CCAHR, LG held a signing ceremony on August 31 (local time) at Harbin Institute of Technology in Harbin, China. Prominent members of the consortium include the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and Xi’an Jiao Tong University (XJTU), all of which are actively researching HVAC technologies and systems designed for cold climates. The consortium will operate new research facilities in Harbin and Mohe City to develop strong and reliable HVAC solutions, helping LG to deliver products customized to local needs, and strengthen its presence in the Chinese market.
Harbin, known for its harsh winter conditions, and Mohe, where temperatures can drop to below minus 50 degrees Celsius, provide ideal settings for advancing LG’s research into heat pump technologies that can maintain high efficiency in severely cold climates. CCHAR will conduct tests on the company’s HVAC solutions, including residential air conditioners, at two facilities: a university-owned building at the Harbin Institute of Technology campus, and a residential site in Mohe. The consortium will gather comprehensive operational data to improve the heating performance, energy efficiency and overall reliability of LG’s HVAC products.
CCAHR is a significant addition to LG’s growing international program of heat pump R&D collaboration, complementing LG-led consortiums established in Korea and the U.S. last November, and in Europe this June. With its trio of consortiums, LG has built a robust R&D infrastructure spanning North America, Europe and Asia, and will be able to develop technologies suited to the unique demands of each region’s climatic and housing conditions. The R&D triangle will play a major role in further solidifying the company’s global leadership in HVAC technology.
Moreover, during a recent CEO-led
link hidden, please login to view, LG outlined four key strategies for business portfolio innovation, including the acceleration of its B2B capabilities – particularly in the area of HVAC. By leveraging its advanced inverter, heat pump and chiller technologies, LG aims to lead the market in high-efficiency HVAC solutions, while actively targeting the growing demand for cooling systems, especially in AI data centers. Additionally, in key markets, LG’s HVAC business is establishing a locally self-sufficient operation system encompassing the in-house production of core components and the creation of production bases optimized for regional supply. This system, which covers everything from R&D to sales and maintenance, greatly enhances LG’s B2B capabilities and is expected to support meaningful long-term growth.
“We are committed to developing next-generation heat pump technologies tailored to diverse climates,” said James Lee, head of the Air Solution Business Unit at LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “Through our R&D initiatives, we will strengthen our ability to provide differentiated solutions for each region, and reinforce our product and technology leadership in the global HVAC market.”
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