Samsung Electronics Co.’s windless air conditioner has become a hit since its launch early this year, partly helping drive the largest-ever operating profit for the company’s consumer electronics (CE) division.

According to sources from the industry on Monday, sales volume of the so-called breeze-free air conditioner with the model name of Q9500 exceeded 200,000 units until August after its launch in January, and is estimated to reach 230,000 units by the end of this year, a rare achievement for a single air conditioner.

The Q9500 was developed out of consideration for customers who don’t like direct contact with the cold wind from an air conditioner. It allows consumers to keep their house cool without strong breeze by sending cold air through 135,000 tiny holes called micro holes that are 1 millimeter in diameter per each.

It took the company five years to develop the wind-free air conditioner. The company solved the condensation problem by using a metal cooling panel and applying fans developed on their own. The short airways also allow users to use 65 percent less energy.

The retail price for a two-in-one set comprised of a floor-standing Q9500 and wall-mount air conditioner ranges from 2.99 million won ($2,613) to 5.79 million won. Despite its relatively expensive price, the product accounts for 10 percent in the domestic air conditioner market.

In a move to extend the success of the wind-free air conditioner in overseas market, the Korean electronics giant plans to establish a subsidiary specialized in air conditioners sale under the CE division in January 2017 in Europe by combining sales networks scattered across 17 European countries. The European air conditioner market, second-largest after the Chinese one, is expected to grow from $3.6 billion this year to $4.2 billion by 2020.

Thanks to the brisk sales of the product, the operating profit this year for the company’s CE division is expected to surge to a record high. The operating profit for the January to September period already exceeded 2.3 trillion won, the latest record achieved in the division since Yoon Boo-keun was appointed as president in 2012. Given that the fourth quarter is generally peak season for home appliance sale, the full-year operating profit is also likely to be the largest-ever in its history.

By Lee Dong-in

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]