Samsung Electronics said on the 20th it will launch the EHS heat pump boiler, an air-source heat pump–based system, in the domestic market in line with the government's program to expand electrified heating.
The EHS heat pump boiler is a heating solution that supplies space heating and hot water by using ambient air heat and electricity. It can generate more than four times as much heat as the input electrical energy. Compared with fossil fuel–based boilers, whose energy efficiency is below 100%, heat pump boilers are more energy-efficient and emit less carbon. If renewable energy produced by home-installed solar systems is used to drive the heat pump, energy expense savings can also be expected.
The government recently announced a plan to distribute 3.5 million heat pump units by 2035 with the goal of cutting greenhouse gases by 5.18 million tons. This year it will inject a budget of 14.4 billion won and promote the electrification of fossil fuel boilers by providing subsidies that cover up to 70% of installation costs per household.
The home EHS heat pump boiler launched by Samsung Electronics features high-efficiency refrigerant compression technology and anti-freeze technology. The company said this enables stable performance even in subzero winter conditions. Using heat energy generated with the high-efficiency refrigerant compression technology, the product can supply high-temperature water up to 70 degrees Celsius even at minus 15 degrees.
An electric heater and an anti-burst valve are built into the outdoor unit to prevent heat exchanger bursting and pipe freezing. A heater to aid drainage is additionally installed at the bottom of the product. Even in severe cold at minus 25 degrees, it can prevent a sharp drop in outlet water temperature and avoid device failure due to bursting.
A large-capacity heat exchanger that maximizes heat exchange area is also installed, boosting energy efficiency. The seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP—the value obtained by dividing the annual total heating energy supply by the power consumed
) recorded 4.9 under a 35°C outlet water condition, which is mainly used for floor heating. It can produce heating energy close to about five times the power consumed. Under a 55°C outlet water condition, the SCOP is 3.78.
The new product uses R32 refrigerant, which has a global warming potential (GWP) 68% lower than R410A, a refrigerant commonly used in home air conditioners and other HVAC products. Samsung Electronics applied a sawtooth fan design to reduce irregular air vortices caused by fan rotation, a primary source of noise and vibration from the outdoor unit. The sawtooth fan reduces air resistance to deliver low noise of at least 35 dB while maintaining strong airflow.
The new model comes in dark gray and features a grill design that conceals the inside of the outdoor unit. At about 100 centimeters tall, it can be installed neatly under a window without obstructing the view. The controller is equipped with a 7-inch touch display. Through the display, users can monitor the entire heat pump system, including heating and hot water, at a glance and control it with ease. When linked with the SmartThings app, users can check indoor temperature and outlet water temperature and adjust settings.
Shin Moon-seon, a senior vice president in the DA Division at Samsung Electronics, said, "The Samsung Electronics EHS heat pump boiler is a complete solution that combines overwhelming heating efficiency and performance, low noise of at least 35 dB, and ease of use," adding, "we will actively participate in the domestic heating electrification expansion program based on differentiated technology and service infrastructure."