LG’s Commercial Air Conditioning Solutions Range from VRFs and Chillers to Building Energy Controls
LG Electronics is jumpstarting its rise to becoming the undisputed leader in the HVAC solutions market in the future. At its general stockholder meeting earlier this year, the company announced plans to shift its focus towards business-to-business (B2B) sales. By enhancing the industry’s B2B infrastructure and finding further solutions for the HVAC sector, this will lead to LG rising to become a total HVAC solutions specialist.
LG’s commercial air conditioning business is already an integral part of the company’s B2B segment, as LG has invested in producing a wide range of HVAC solutions for several decades now. With a rise in sales of large air conditioning systems, expansion of the production base was necessary and more research staff was needed. The company recently made large investments for R&D, and constructed a new chiller manufacturing facility set to open in 2017. The company has also engaged in business focused marketing activities such as tours of its facilities and has been active in improving the sales infrastructure in the European market.
The history of the business unit goes back to 1968, when the company (then called GoldStar) rolled out Korea’s first residential air conditioner. Since the company first began making chillers for large commercial buildings in 1970, the commercial air conditioning business has grown exponentially, especially within the last 20 years. In 2008, LG became the first company in the industry to sell its 100 millionth air conditioning unit. The success of LG air conditioners has grown from very humble beginnings to become one of the giants in the highly competitive HVAC industry.
Building on its success, the company now offers a broad portfolio of air conditioner products that are compatible with any building anywhere, including those which have limited space, skyscrapers that reach the clouds, large factories or giant concert halls. In order to become a true total HVAC solution provider, LG also supplies giant buildings with central air conditioning systems and HVAC solutions such as chillers and BECON (Building Energy Control).
Among the company’s CACs, its most well-known line is the Multi V series. In 2004, the first generation of the Multi V series hit the market. Since then the product continuously improved as the company’s technological capabilities increased. By the time the Multi V IV came out in 2013, the line had added an energy saving function, a high pressure oil return and many other features that now define the Multi V line as the best HVAC solution.
What’s more, the Multi V line has been modified and adapted for different markets. For coastal areas, the company developed a corrosion resistance model to protect it from the high-salinity ocean air. Meanwhile versions are localized according to the power grid specifications in different markets so that fewer add-ons (such as transformers) are needed. Recently the Canadian market got its first air cooled 575V air conditioner adapted to the Canadian power grid, so installation and maintenance costs are now lower and the unit takes up less space. In addition, a version of the Multi V IV has been adapted to operate at temperatures as high as 54°C, ideal for the desert climates of the Middle East and northern Africa.
The Multi V line’s adaptability shows, as it has been selected by clients with unique HVAC installation challenges all over the world. One of France’s biggest conglomerates, the Bouygues group, turned to LG because their corporate headquarters needed a water-cooled VRF System. In Russia, the athlete’s village for the 2013 Universiade needed an energy efficient system that would not leave much impact on the environment. Later, the Brazilian city of Curitaba needed to effectively air condition parts of the Arena da Baixada, a stadium used to host the 2014 World Cup, while falling within energy efficiency standards. Meanwhile in Iran’s Aseman Nama, the Middle East’s largest planetarium, a system that could accommodate the building’s rounded architecture was required. In all four cases and many more all over the world, the Multi V line was chosen for its adaptability to the various specific needs for each individual project, making it an ideal solution with mass appeal.
While VRF’s like the Multi V are mainly suited to medium and large buildings, chillers are necessary for large facilities with vast open areas. To meet this need, LG also has a strong chiller business which manufactures and sells to a variety of business entities such as power plants, district cooling facilities and commercial buildings and is especially popular in the markets of the Middle East and other parts of Asia including China. Quality is of the utmost importance, so LG has invested in world-class quality control facilities which can conduct product tests for numerous units simultaneously. Additionally, LG’s chillers have been recognized or certified by international institutions such as AHRI as well as ETL(UL), ISO 9001, ASME and ETL.
LG’s BECON (Building Energy Control) efficiently manages and operates a building’s entire HVAC system comprehensively. With a simple design and easy-to-use UI, users can quickly identify the status of their systems with one look and through the Visual Navigation Report Schedule function, and they can easily, conveniently and effectively manage their HVAC systems. This one solution has the added value of increased energy efficiency with the ability to control the entire building’s climate control from a central location. The area
s of the building under BECON can also be easily added through the company’s BMS Gateway system even after initial installation is completed.
The LG system air conditioning business unit won many awards for its high performance while being mindful of the environment. These include the Percorso Efficienza & Innovazione, Green Technology Certification, Energy Winner Award Gran Prix, Green Growth Brand, and the Carbon Footprint Label. In addition to those it was recognized internationally, being certified by UL, an energy efficiency label from Eurovent and earning Energy Star certification several years running. The company also won a Red Dot design award for a ceiling mounted air conditioner in 2015.
To build upon success in the field, LG has set up partnerships around the world to improve the HVAC industry through the LG Air Conditioning Academy. LG has positioned itself as a true leader in the global HVAC market. In addition, the company is hosting marketing events such as roadshows, exhibitions and seminars to not only showcase LG’s products, but also to improve relationships between the global industry’s B2B clients, including wholesalers and professional installers. This ensures that everyone can get ahead in a mutually beneficial business environment.
Over the years, LG has achieved many successes that have helped solidify us as a prominent player in the HVAC industry,” said Lee Jae-sung, president of the LG System air conditioning business unit. “LG is already a true total HVAC and energy solution provider. But we shouldn’t rest on our laurels. That is why we are jumpstarting our new focus, to achieve our ultimate goal of leading the industry with our innovative technology.”
