Samsung seeks to overcome downturn with energy-efficient home appliances

Samsung Electronics on Tuesday unveiled the lineup of its new range of energy efficient Bespoke home appliances, in a move to attract Korean consumers and satisfy strict environmental regulations in Europe and elsewhere.

The tech giant said it will improve its profitability this year with upgraded products equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

“What consumers are most interested in recently are energy-related functions. So we will overcome the difficulties this year, through our eco-friendly products,” Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee said at a press conference.

Samsung Electronics Executive Vice President Choi Ick-soo also said that the company’s energy-efficient products have helped generate growth in sales, especially in the European market.

In the aftermath of the global economic recession, Samsung Electronics suffered a 60 billion won ($46 million) operating loss in its home appliance business during the fourth quarter of last year. This was the first time in seven years that the company suffered a quarterly operating loss in its home appliance business.

Although the vice chairman did not specify the timing of the turnaround, he said that the company expects better earnings during the second half of this year.

According to the company, the new Bespoke appliances use 30 percent less energy than first-class energy-efficiency products. In addition, consumers can further reduce the use of energy, thanks to AI technology, which can analyze how consumers use the products.

“Our washing machines can reduce microbeads from clothes by 60 percent,” Han said. “We will reduce the amount more significantly by launching a microbeads filter this year.”

Samsung Electronics emphasized the fact that it made some parts of its refrigerators and other home appliances with reusable plastic. It also noted that the new Bespoke products are equipped with Samsung’s SmartThings function to enhance connectivity between them.

During the press conference, Samsung Electronics reiterated that it will focus on nurturing the robotics business as one of its new growth engines.

“Engineers at Samsung Research plan to develop a Samsung robot platform,” Han said. “We are preparing to launch the EX1 robot this year, and there is the possibility of further development in our robot vacuums.”

His remarks came as Samsung Electronics’ recent acquisition of shares in Rainbow Robotics sparked expectation that the conglomerate may resume large-scale M&As this year. The vice chairman, however, remained cautious about the speculation.

Instead, he confirmed that Samsung Electronics will be more aggressive in using ChatGPT for its home appliance business.

“As more companies are using ChatGPT, I don’t deny the fact that it has become part of the mainstream,” Han said.

LG Reinforces Strong Position in the European HVAC Market

LG Electronics (LG) is showcasing its latest heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions at the International Trade Fair for Sanitation, Heating and Air (ISH) 2023, taking place in Frankfurt, Germany, from March 13-17. On display across the Residential Solution booth and the Commercial Solution booth, LG’s industry leading solutions for home and business deliver the strong performance and energy efficiency that European customers demand.

Due to tighter environmental regulations and the short supply of natural gas, the European HVAC market has seen growing interest in heat pump air conditioning systems that can reduce carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. In 2019, the European Union announced its “European Green Deal” policy, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Last year, it also declared the “REPowerEU” plan to expand the use of renewable energy by 2030 and reduce energy consumption and reliance on fossil fuels.

Reflecting current market trends and a commitment to energy efficiency, LG’s HVAC products at ISH 2023 demonstrate the quality and value that have made the company one of the industry’s biggest players. Visitors to the Residential Solution booth can explore various solutions designed for private residences, including air source heat pumps (ASHP) employing low-Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants, advanced Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) systems, LG’s reliable Water Heater as well as the Energy Storage System (ESS) and Building Energy Control (BECON) solution for smart energy management.

Making its global debut at ISH 2023 is the brand-new Therma V™ R290 Monobloc for residential applications. The impressive ASHP utilizes R290 refrigerant, which has a GWP of three – far lower than the GWP of refrigerants commonly used in heating solutions. The Therma V R290 Monobloc also delivers dependable indoor heating to keep homes comfortably warm throughout the coldest months of the year.

The LG Therma V series of high efficiency heat pump air conditioning systems are gaining wide popularity in the European market. Delivering a differentiated customer experience based on advanced technologies and convenient energy-saving features, LG’s outstanding ASHPs saw an increase in sales of more than 120 percent over the past year. In the majority of European countries where the company’s HVAC business operates, including France and Germany, sales of LG heat pumps more than doubled in 2022.

As ASHP solutions, LG Therma V products use outdoor air to generate energy for cooling and heating, leading to significant gains in operational efficiency. LG Therma V utilizes 75 percent thermal energy harnessed from the air and 25 percent electricity, helping households to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.

Another energy efficient LG solution in the spotlight at ISH 2023, the Multi V™ i Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system can be found in the company’s Commercial Solution booth. Equipped with LG’s highly evolved AI engine, the Multi V i improves energy savings by up to 24.7 percent* via AI Smart Care, which uses spatial and situational learning to adjust cooling and heating power. The solution also leverages LG’s AI Indoor Space Care to help maintain an even indoor temperature; automatically turning on the indoor units in a given area when occupants are detected, and turning them off again once the occupants have left.

“From the new Therma V R290 Monobloc to the Multi V i, our latest HVAC solutions demonstrate our commitment to promote a more energy efficient lifestyle,” said James Lee, head of the Air Solution Business Unit at LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “LG will continue to develop smart, energy-saving solutions and endeavor to step closer to carbon neutrality.”

Visitors to LG’s ISH 2023 exhibition booth (E69, 12.1 Hall, Messe Frankfurt) can experience the company’s full portfolio of cutting-edge HVAC solutions.

Energy features ignored

Household Appliances
Energy efficient features “ignored” by 9 out of 10 homeowners, Beko finds
A new survey of 6,000 homeowners and renters from across the globe, commissioned by leading appliance brand, Beko, has revealed that nearly 9 in 10 (89%) respondents globally ignore what’s best when it comes to energy efficiency in the home, despite 80% of those surveyed knowing how to use their household appliances in an energy efficient way.
The survey looks at global consumer attitudes and behaviours concerning energy efficiency and is part of its latest campaign to shed light on how kitchen appliances are used efficiently in the home.

While these results paint a contradictory picture of household efficiency, findings have shown that globally, almost 9 in 10 (87%) believe in the importance of energy efficiency and 78% take an interest in purchasing products that look to improve their household’s efficiency. However, the majority of respondents admitted to engaging in energy inefficient behaviours that are known to waste energy including:

Leaving the fridge door open when deciding what to eat (29%)
Leaving a freezer plugged in when it’s got nothing in it (20%)
Leave gadgets on charge for longer than they need (37%)
‘Settingsphobia’ – a term coined by Beko – is also to blame for inefficient energy practices in the home as almost 3 in 5 (59%) people are worried they’ll choose the wrong setting when using household appliances, but out of fear stick to the same, sometimes inefficient setting.


Akın Garzanlı
Akın Garzanlı, Chief Marketing Officer at Arçelik commented: “The data gives us a fascinating insight into how attitudes towards energy efficiency are evolving across the globe. At Beko we’re continually striving to provide high quality products that suit the changing needs of our consumers and of the environment. While we look for ways to innovate solutions to more efficient living, building on our latest SaveWater™ and popular AquaTech® technology, which offers an energy efficient and sustainable home experience, it’s interesting to understand how households are responding and this will help to inform how best we can help as a corporation”.

Gen Z revealed as generation with surprising behaviours
Gen Z were revealed as one of the most knowledgeable demographics when it comes to energy efficiency with over 60% of Gen Z reading the instructions whenever they buy a new appliance, the study found. Despite this product knowledge, data shows Gen Z can often make accidental mistakes when it comes to their appliances, with 76% having used the wrong setting on their appliance, causing them to spoil their food/drink or damage their clothing.

Those older than 64 are unaware of benefits of energy efficient products
Actions speak louder than words when it comes to energy efficiency for those over 64 years of age, as findings reveal a substantial disbelief in energy efficiency products, but a strong belief in energy efficient actions.

The survey revealed that those over 64 are the generation least likely to prioritise energy efficiency when buying new products, with only 6 in 10 (63%) taking action, compared to younger generations (81% of Millennials) – and nearly 7 in 10 (67%) not interested in replacing their current products. However, those over 64 are the generation who claimed to be most aware of how to use all their appliances in the most efficient way (86%), despite the majority sticking to the same settings on their washing machine.

The survey also offers insights into how attitudes and knowledge regarding best energy efficient practices in the home differ across age groups. People over the age of 64 cited leaving the oven on whilst not in use (56%) and putting the heating on whilst the windows were open to dry clothes (56%) as inefficient practices, whilst almost a third (28%) of Gen Xers admitted to leaving an empty freezer plugged in.

The findings, which have demonstrated a gap between knowledge and behaviour within consumers globally, highlight the need for greater action in ensuring consumers are maximising the efficiency of appliances at home.

Conscious of the results, Beko is partnering with Youreko, an energy efficiency tool that calculates the lifetime running costs of appliances, to provide information to consumers on potential cost and energy savings when choosing new products.


Youreko calculator
This feature is currently available for consumers to use on the UK Beko website and Beko Poland, and will be integrated into Beko’s Germany, Romania, France, Italy, Austria, Spain and Netherlands sites as well. The partnership involves the integration of the Youreko tool on Beko’s website to display information to the general public on how energy efficient Beko’s appliances are compared with least energy efficient models and how much money the manufacturer’s appliances could save consumers in the long term. The tool supplements the listings of Beko’s washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers and refrigerators which all boast energy efficient technologies within, the company says.

For more household appliance news, click he

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Beko partners with Youreko to help consumer choices with Energy Savings Tool

Beko, one of the leading home appliances brands in Europe*, is delighted to announce its integration with Youreko, an energy efficiency tool that helps consumers choose sustainably and understand the financial running costs when choosing new appliancesThe integration of the Youreko tool on Beko’s website, displays information to consumers on how energy efficient Beko’s appliances are when compared with traditional models and how much money the consumers could save in the long run with manufacturer’s appliances. The tool supplements the listings of Beko’s washing machines, washer dryers, tumble dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers.Currently operational on the Beko UK website, the Youreko partnership will be further implemented on Beko’s websites in Romania and Poland, helping consumers across Europe to calculate their cost saving potential.

Resource efficiency is a key priority for Beko, particularly in the current economical and climate-conscious environment. This integration with Youreko is an extension of the brand’s ongoing commitment to providing products for their consumers to encourage sustainable living.

The tool helps consumers on Beko’s websites by providing more information on the energy consumption and financial cost of running a particular appliance. Utilising an easy-to-read gold, silver or bronze tiered rating system, the tool signals where money and energy can be conserved most, helping consumers make more informed buying decisions.

By integrating Youreko into its products, Beko is also able to make a smart-recommendation to the consumers based on a product’s energy efficiency rating. This calculation is based upon a comparison against a more traditional, like-for-like model of the applianc

A-Class appliances: what it means.

Starting from March 2021, the new energy label has come into force, and it is mandatory on a wide range of appliances. The EU has established a standard applicable to all appliances to facilitate their comparison.
Thanks to the new classification based on a colour scale, you can identify those with the higher consumption levels (Class G) in red, and those with the lower consumption levels in dark green. By eliminating all “+”, the label has become more understandable, and the appliance classification has become stricter.

How much class A appliances consume and why they are more convenient
In order to understand the convenience of class A appliances, here is the average consumption of the most energy-intensive appliances:

A class A refrigerator with freezer consumes approximately 100 kWh per year, while a class G model consumes almost three times as much.
A class A washer that does 100 full-load washing cycles with the Eco 40-60° program consumes approximately 50 kWh per year, half of a class G model.
The air conditioning unit’s consumption is calculated also based on the SEER, which indicates the seasonal energy efficiency in cooling mode: the higher it is, the higher the appliance’s energy savings. On average, in class A, the SEER is around 8, and the annual energy consumption for cooling is around 100 kWh; while in lower classes, with a lower SEER, consumption can exceed 300 kWh per year.