Samsung Electronics said on the 29th that it established the "Samsung HVAC Test Lab" in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost region, to develop technology that delivers heating performance in extreme environments.
Asahikawa is a frigid area where winter lows fall below minus 20 degrees and monthly cumulative snowfall reaches up to 127 cm.
Samsung Electronics plans to verify the reliability of the "defrost system," which determines the heating performance of HVAC units, and the high-efficiency heating and cooling "heat pump solution" at the site.
The defrost system removes frost that accumulates on the "heat exchanger," a core component of HVAC units. Because condensed moisture during heating operation solidifies as frost on the heat exchanger and degrades its performance, the unit must check the heat exchanger's condition on its own and start the defrost system at the proper time to maintain stable performance.
To target the rapidly growing residential heat pump market centered in Europe, Samsung Electronics is conducting research to advance technologies with the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, Luleå University of Technology, and local testing laboratories. The company plans to verify the research results in various ways at the HVAC Test Lab and develop products with improved performance.
The Samsung HVAC Test Lab will also join joint research with Samsung Japan Research Institute (SRJ) and Hokkaido University to advance core HVAC technologies that reflect the local climate and real residential environments. Through this, the company plans to strengthen the performance of compressors and heat exchangers, which are key components of HVAC units, and continue to develop controls and cycles for efficient operation.