Using Samsung technology to contribute towards a greener environment

There is a growing need for all of the earth’s inhabitants to contribute towards reducing their current usage of non-renewable energy resources. Fortunately, as technology continues to evolve, consumers are able to play a meaningful role in reducing their carbon footprint and working towards a more sustainable future. Samsung has developed a number of products that are focused on energy efficiency. “Among these are our LED lighting, Eco Heating Heat Pump Systems (EHS) and air conditioners, both based on our smart inverter technology,” says Michael Mckechnie, Divisional Head of Digital Air Solutions at Samsung South Africa.

Samsung’s LED lamps are designed to easily replace traditional lighting for reduced energy consumption, saving up to 80% over conventional luminous technology. These durable globes contain no glass or filament, and the proprietary technology dramatically reduces the surface temperature of the lamps, making them safe to touch. “Samsung LED lights last up to 40 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, resulting in a dramatic reduction in labour and replacement lamp costs. At the same time they provide substantial savings on overall electricity bills, with a recoup of investment time of between one and two years,” says Mckechnie.

The Samsung Eco Heating System (EHS) that harness the natural warmth from outside the home is an extremely energy-efficient way of heating a residence. Research indicates that the system can create heat up to four times more efficiently than other forms of heating, such as gas, oil or electricity. “This economical and ecologically friendly system not only lowers energy costs and CO2 emissions, but it also provides various combinations of air and water solutions for heating and cooling, which are geared around meeting various consumer needs throughout the year,” Mckechnie points out.

The outdoor unit utilises warmth from the outside air to raise the temperature inside the home for heating during winter. In addition, the unit’s solar panels supply about 70% of the required energy to provide domestic hot water. During summer, the system emits heat from the inside to the exterior to ensure cooling. Samsung’s EHS provides exceptional efficiency and can reduce running costs by up to 33%.

Mckechnie explains that Samsung’s Time Division Multi (TDM) allows smart alternating operation between air-to-water and air-to-air. This enables one outdoor unit to operate for both under floor heating and air conditioning functionalities, with a resultant decrease in both product costs and footprint.

Alternatively, for hot balmy days or chilly winter days, Samsung’s premium Q9000 air conditioners quickly cool or heat the ambient air with concomitant reductions in energy usage. With an option to control the unit via a Wi-Fi connection, the air conditioners can be switched on or off remotely using a smartphone. The full density filter in the unit ensures that up to 90% of dust and allergens are contained, while the S-Plasma ion eliminates up to 99% of biological contaminants.

Smart Inverter Technology
Both the Samsung EHS and Samsung’s range of room air conditioning products utilise the smart inverter technology. “Inverters are frequency conversion devices that control electrical voltage, current and frequency. The Samsung Inverter uses an inverter circuit to convert AC from the power supply into DC and then to turn it back into AC. Using Smart Inverter control, we are able to ensure that the air conditioning or heating system continues to operate at low capacity most of the time, ensuring that there is no stopping and starting of the compressor,” says Mckechnie.

This function is in contrast to inefficient standard heating or cooling compressors which operate at full power to reach the set temperature. When the room temperature decreases or increases, the standard compressor starts up again at full power to cool or heat the room to the set temperature, as required.

“By applying simple techniques such as insulating attic voids and complementing this with Samsung’s smart heating and cooling technologies such as the EHS and air conditioners, consumers can make a considerable contribution towards reducing the impact they have on the environment. Again, this is yet another way that Samsung is promoting a smarter future for all,” Mckechnie concludes.