Kyungdong Navien(009450) said on the 24th that it began mass production of air-source heat pump boilers at its Pyeongtaek plant in Gyeonggi Province, establishing a domestic production system for the entire heat pump ecosystem. Following the thermal storage tank and the controller "Heaty Hub (HEATY HUB)," the company will also produce outdoor units domestically, laying the groundwork for an integrated operation that covers everything from product supply to installation and after-sales service.
The mass production is part of a strategy to respond to growing demand for the electrification of heating and hot water under carbon neutrality policies. In particular, as Jeju Special Self-Governing Province is pushing a heat pump distribution program, Kyungdong Navien opened the "Navien Heating Electrification Center" in Jeju in May and launched an air-source heat pump boiler in June, accelerating its push into the market.
The air-source heat pump boiler (PEM550) produced at the Pyeongtaek plant is a heating and hot water solution using a heat pump system that transfers thermal energy in the air to water with electricity. By using the eco-friendly refrigerant R32, it cut the global warming potential (GWP) by 68% compared with conventional refrigerants, and achieved a seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) of up to 5.2, delivering high energy efficiency that produces more than five times the thermal energy relative to input power.
Kyungdong Navien's heating and hot water technologies accumulated in domestic and overseas markets are concentrated in the air-source heat pump boiler. By applying the proprietary integrated piping unit "Navien Heaty Hub," it precisely controls flow and temperature to the level of an instantaneous gas water heater, improving hot water quality. It also stably supplies high-temperature water up to 65°C to provide a usage environment similar to conventional boilers, and, by heating water only when needed, addresses concerns about the proliferation of Legionella bacteria.
Another competitive edge is the ability to supply the entire heat pump system in one stop through a domestic production base. A heat pump consists of an outdoor unit that absorbs heat from the air, a thermal storage tank, and a controller, and Kyungdong Navien will now produce and supply all these core components domestically. The company said this will enhance quality stability and system completeness, while allowing use of existing boiler heating pipes and zoned control systems as is, thereby reducing installation expense and construction burden.
A Kyungdong Navien official said, "Domestic production of air-source heat pump boilers will be an important foundation for further strengthening supply stability and service competitiveness," adding, "We will lead the era of energy transition based on the technologies and know-how accumulated in the domestic and overseas heating and hot water markets."