Innovation and development strategies for air conditioning and heat pump technologies are moving from eco-efficiency, high performance, and – increasingly – AI applications for functionality and control
Article by Olivia Rabbi
The path is set: for both residential and commercial HVAC, the heart of innovation increasingly lies in the realm of Artificial Intelligence and, through the SmartThings ecosystem, harnesses the potential of appliances and systems to address indoor comfort and energy efficiency needs. Eight years after the launch of Seace (Samsung Electronics Air Conditioning Europe), in Milan – in the setting of its dedicated SmartThings Home, Porta Nuova – Samsung presented the latest innovations and strategies in the field of air conditioning and heat pump solutions.
Air conditioning comfort
Samsung unveiled the WindFree S2 2025 range of air conditioners and heat pumps with the new ClimateHub S2 and HydroUnit S2 indoor units. The new WindFree S2 features technologies such as AI Comfort Cooling that learns and adapts to user preferences to increase indoor comfort. By activating this mode, the system first lowers the temperature with the Fast Cooling function and then, through continuous analysis of indoor and outdoor conditions, the AI optimizes cooling by automatically switching to the WindFree Cooling mode, which maintains the ideal temperature without direct air jets and by continuing to spread air through thousands of microholes evenly. The new Comfort Drying function allows dehumidification without excessively lowering the temperature: unlike conventional systems, which reduce the temperature to eliminate humidity, Comfort Drying maintains the optimal humidity level without creating a cold feeling. In addition, with SmartThings’ AI Energy mode, users can reduce energy consumption by up to 30% (according to the test conducted in Samsung’s 132 m² residential laboratory at a temperature of 35°C/24°C – dry bulb/wet bulb, KS C 9306: air conditioner). Results provided and interpreted by Intertek, comparing energy consumption between on and off in AI energy mode to AI comfort mode of model AR07D9181HZN. Actual savings may vary depending on usage patterns and environment, and the set temperature may increase by up to 2 degrees). With the use of AI, the system adjusts the frequency of the compressor, avoiding spikes or sudden stops, ensuring more efficient operation.
Indoor and outdoor heat pumps
The world of heat pumps for heating, cooling and domestic hot water production focuses on performance and eco-efficiency. The new ClimateHub S2 indoor EHS (Electric Heating System) unit in the heat pump range is a versatile solution that integrates a hydronic module, 200-liter storage tank, and main plumbing components.
With a larger exchange area and triple tank insulation, it offers greater energy efficiency, reducing heat loss and operating costs. This new unit also features the latest interface, the 7-inch AI Home touch display, and built-in connectivity to simplify monitoring and management of system settings such as temperature and energy consumption.
«The challenges imposed by the Green Deal include the need to improve energy efficiency, adopt solutions with low environmental impact and comply with stricter regulations, for this reason, we are more determined than ever to consolidate and strengthen our leadership position in the residential and tertiary sectors», said Ettore Jovane, Vice President HVAC Business of Samsung Electronics Italia. «We want to be innovators in the air conditioning and heating market, proposing cutting-edge solutions that respond as much to the need for high performance as to the growing demand for energy efficiency. Our technologies, which allow remote management, are designed to reduce environmental impact and optimize consumption, while ensuring maximum comfort and continuous improvement of performance also thanks to Artificial Intelligence».
Space for Artificial Intelligence
The products presented by Samsung in Milan were developed with a focus on connectivity in synergy with Artificial Intelligence. With built-in Wi-Fi and the SmartThings app, Samsung’s open ecosystem, products can be easily controlled and monitored remotely by adjusting temperature, optimizing consumption and increasing comfort. Also for commercial buildings, Samsung’s VRF systems, equipped with Native Artificial Intelligence, are designed to meet specific heating and cooling needs for high and optimized performance. In terms of energy efficiency, the VRF technology-direct expansion solution-optimizes heat transfer and reduces transition times by quickly adapting to fluctuations in heating and cooling demands, reducing energy waste. In addition, Samsung’s DVM S2 range uses AI with the Active AI function to store usage trends and outdoor conditions, optimizing machine operation predictively and reducing energy consumption.
