Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are expanding their heat pump initiatives in Jeju. The region's relatively stable winter temperatures reduce initial testing burdens, while government support is rapidly increasing demand. Both companies aim to develop heat pump models suited to the domestic housing environment based on data collected in Jeju, preparing for future nationwide market expansion.
According to industry sources, Samsung and LG have officially launched their residential heat pump projects in Jeju this year. In June, Samsung installed its 'EHS heat pump boiler' in a single-family home in Aewol-eup, Jeju City. LG has also participated in the 'Heat Pump Supply Project in Daily Life' in Jeju and has recently expanded its testing to include multi-family housing.
Jeju's climate conditions have made it the first testing ground for domestic heat pumps. Air-source heat pumps absorb heat from the outside air for heating and hot water. While they can produce significant thermal energy with minimal electricity, maintaining heating performance and efficiency becomes challenging as external temperatures drop.
The government selected Jeju as the primary testing area for this year's heat pump supply project. This decision was made to confirm performance and efficiency in a region with relatively stable winter temperatures, thereby reducing testing risks. The southern regions, including Gyeongnam and Jeonnam, which also have milder climates, are included in the initial support targets.
There has been substantial actual demand in Jeju. The heat pump supply project requires participation from local governments, as it is funded by both national and local budgets. With high housing demand and active participation from local authorities, the allocation for this year has significantly increased.
Industry reports indicate that the initial allocation for the 'Heat Pump Supply Project in Daily Life' in Jeju for this year is a total of 2,460 units. In the first half of the year, LG received 428 out of 1,042 units allocated, accounting for 41.1%. In the second half, LG secured 427 out of 1,418 units. Combined, LG's total allocation for both halves is 855 units, representing 34.8% of the total.
In the second half, Samsung secured the largest allocation, with 501 units, followed by LG with 427 units, Daesung Heat Energy with 323 units, and Otek Carrier with 167 units. With nearly 1,300 units secured in Jeju alone, competition between Samsung and LG in the domestic residential heat pump market is intensifying.
Another goal of the Jeju testing is to gather data suitable for the domestic housing environment. While heat pumps have become a primary heating method in Europe, South Korea prefers underfloor heating and has a high proportion of multi-family housing. There is a need to establish systems that accommodate heating and hot water performance, as well as limited installation space and centralized supply methods for domestic homes.
On September 15, LG began a joint project with Jeju Province, Jeju Development Corporation, and the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology at the Shinhyo Apartment in Seogwipo City to test electrification for cooling, heating, and hot water in multi-family housing. This marks the first instance of applying heat pumps in a residential complex where actual residents live.
Heat pumps will be installed in individual units to provide cooling and underfloor heating, while hot water will be supplied centrally through a large-capacity hot water tank and air-source heat pump installed in common areas. LG plans to establish a 'Korean Standard Model for Electrification of Multi-Family Housing' based on the data collected after the project is completed in December.
Samsung is also preparing for multi-family housing applications. The company is conducting tests using a centralized supply method in a small multi-family housing unit with about 12 households in Gwangju. This approach aims to gather domestic application data by varying the regions and housing types, including single-family homes in Jeju.
A domestic production base has also been established. Samsung has built a new production line for EHS heat pump boilers at its Gwangju facility, covering an area of 2,132 square meters, and has begun domestic production this month. The company is also expanding training for installation and service personnel in preparation for market expansion.
Government support is expected to increase significantly starting next year. The government has allocated 85.9 billion won for the heat energy electrification project, which aims to convert fossil fuel heating to electric heating, in its budget for next year. This is approximately 5.5 times larger than this year's allocation of 15.7 billion won. The scope of the project will expand to include multi-family housing testing, in addition to heat pump supply.
Next year's support will also be extended nationwide. The Ministry of Climate and Energy has focused on Jeju and southern regions this year but plans to provide support without regional restrictions starting next year. The goal for heat pump supply next year is to exceed 10,000 units.
As a result, the importance of the data collected from this year's tests in Jeju is expected to grow. As the supply areas expand to the central inland regions, winter temperatures will drop, and installation conditions will vary based on housing types. Whether Samsung and LG can develop heat pump models suited to the domestic housing environment based on the performance and operational data gathered in Jeju will be crucial for their market expansion.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.