As energy efficiency becomes a critical factor in mitigating rising electricity costs and addressing environmental concerns, Korean home appliance manufacturers are proactively developing innovative products that minimize power consumption.

Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Electronics Inc. have been leading the way by introducing home appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators with enhanced energy efficiency.

Samsung Electronics recently unveiled its 2023 Bespoke product line, showcasing 57 energy-saving models that exceed the standards of Grade 1 energy efficiency by about 10 percent to 30 percent. During the summer season when air conditioner usage is high, these models consume 10 percent less electricity compared with Grade 1 models.

Additionally, by installing a home appliance app on smartphones and utilizing the artificial intelligence (AI) power-saving mode, an additional 20 percent reduction in energy consumption can be achieved.

Assuming the continuous operation of the energy-saving Bespoke Windless Air Conditioner Gallery model for a 60 square meter space for a month, the electricity bill amounts to around 42,000 won ($31.8). However, by using the AI power-saving mode, the electricity bill falls down to about 34,000 won, resulting in savings of some 8,000 won per month.

LG Electronics recently released its 2023 LG Dios Objet Collection, which includes the “Auto Closing” feature that ensures the refrigerator door is tightly shut, preventing increased power usage and food spoilage. The 2023 LG Whisen Objet Collection Tower Air Conditioner Luxury, launched earlier this year, is equipped with radar sensors. When the radar detects no human movement in the living room, the air conditioner automatically switches to power-saving mode.

AI technology is being leveraged for deeper energy savings. LG Electronics incorporated the AI+ feature into the LG PuriCare 360 Air Purifier Alpha, which was released earlier this year. This feature enables the air purifier to operate at minimum power consumption when the indoor air quality remains good for 5-10 minutes. However, if the air quality deteriorates, it switches back to the normal mode. By utilizing this feature, energy consumption can be reduced by up to 51.5 percent compared with conventional models.

In Korea, customers are increasingly purchasing electric fans due to concerns about electricity costs. From April to May 17, electric fan sales at the country’s largest retail chain E-mart increased by 34.3 percent from a year ago. Particularly, during the three days following the government’s announcement of electricity rate hikes on May 15, electric fan sales at the chain surged by a whopping 313.5 percent. In contrast, air conditioner sales growth remained at 7.4 percent.

By Lee Sae-ha and Minu Kim

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