Samsung Electronics’ EHS heat-pump boiler system is shown in a promotional image. The company is working with a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory to develop heating technology for extreme cold. Photo courtesy of Samsung Electronics
Aug. 9 (Asia Today) — Samsung Electronics said Sunday it is working with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, to develop next-generation heating technology designed to operate reliably in extreme cold.
The research project focuses on vapor-compression heating and multi-function systems for cold climates, with the goal of maintaining stable heating performance at temperatures below minus 30 degrees Celsius, or minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit.
Vapor-compression technology uses a refrigerant that is compressed and circulated to transfer heat from outside a building to the interior.
The technology can enable highly energy-efficient systems that provide heating, cooling and hot water from a single system.
Samsung plans to conduct the research through the first half of 2027 and then test the technology under extreme conditions in Alaska.
The company said it ultimately plans to incorporate the technology into its heat-pump heating, ventilation and air-conditioning products.
Testing planned in Fairbanks, Alaska
Samsung plans to conduct field testing at the National Laboratory of the Rockies’ Alaska Campus in Fairbanks.
The U.S. Department of Energy laboratory operates a research campus in Fairbanks focused on energy and building technologies for extreme climates.
Fairbanks provides particularly demanding conditions for testing cold-climate heating systems.
Temperatures in the region can fall to around minus 40 degrees Celsius, which is also minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, while record lows have dropped below minus 50 degrees Celsius, or minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit.
Researchers plan to evaluate heating performance, energy efficiency, long-term operating reliability and hot-water performance during periods of extreme cold.
The testing is intended to determine whether the technology can operate reliably under real-world residential conditions.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory has conducted extensive research into cold-climate heat pumps and vapor-compression technology.
Recent research by the laboratory has demonstrated heat-pump systems operating in Alaska at outdoor temperatures as low as minus 34 degrees Celsius, or about minus 29 degrees Fahrenheit.
Samsung targets global heat-pump market
Lim Sung-taek, executive vice president of Samsung Electronics’ Digital Appliances Business, said the project will provide an opportunity to demonstrate Samsung’s high-efficiency technology and equipment reliability under actual extreme-low-temperature conditions.
“This collaboration will be an important opportunity to demonstrate Samsung’s unique high-efficiency technology and product reliability in real-world extreme cold,” Lim said.
“Based on the research data, we will introduce heat-pump products to the global market that reduce carbon emissions while maximizing performance and energy efficiency.”
Heat pumps have gained attention as an alternative to conventional heating systems because they transfer heat rather than generate it directly, potentially reducing energy use and carbon emissions.
Performance in extremely cold climates, however, remains one of the major technical challenges for air-source heat-pump systems.
The joint Samsung-Oak Ridge project is intended to address that limitation by developing technology capable of maintaining both heating capacity and efficiency as outside temperatures fall.
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260809010002635
