• A single DVM S2 outdoor unit can connect up to 64 indoor units, minimizing the installation footprint, while with integrated Active AI the building’s operating patterns in real time to hold precise target temperatures and pressures.
• Ideal for retrofits, the DVM S2’s sub-cooling control and smaller main liquid pipe cut overall refrigerant charge by up to 30%¹ — so one system can thread through an occupied building, with 10-plus indoor unit types² to suit existing lobbies, guest rooms and open-plan floors, without major structural work.
• Paired with the DVM S2, SmartThings Pro enables multi-site monitoring, automated scheduling, energy analytics and reporting, and a customizable dashboard — so an entire estate runs from a single screen.

Across Southeast Asia and Oceania, thousands of office towers, hotels, malls and mixed-use developments were constructed before sustainability was ever a priority. With fluctuating climates across the region, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) is the fastest-growing use of energy in buildings³ — and as electricity prices climb, these ageing properties grow more expensive to run every year.

That makes HVAC systems the first place a retrofit should address. It is also the system most feasible for upgrading without structural work, so the return on investment materializes fast. Tearing a building down to start over, by contrast, is costly, carbon-intensive and slow. As such, a growing number of owners are now asking a different question: what if the smarter move is to upgrade what is already standing?

There are hardware and management tools that can address this growing need. For instance, integrating Samsung’s AI-powered energy management solutions with its intelligent HVAC and connected building technology can help sharpen efficiency and extend a building’s life at once.

Samsung’s DVM S2, Samsung’s Variable Refrigerant Flow system connects a single outdoor unit to as many as 64 indoor units, reducing the new piping and structural work a retrofit demands, while SmartThings Pro’s AI Energy Mode can automatically adjust each connected device against real-time conditions, electricity rates and comfort levels. Together they turn an older property into a responsive, efficient asset — without major structural renovation.

AI-enabled HVAC management: the fastest route to energy savings

Because cooling often carries the heaviest energy load in commercial buildings, it is where a retrofit pays back fastest.

Keen to balance historical preservation with guest comfort, the Bali Beach Hotel Sanur turned to Samsung’s DVM solution for space-tailored cooling — where temperatures are tuned to different environments like lobbies, spa rooms and fitness centers — paired with energy-saving technology and integrated B2B controls. With customizable systems and end-to-end support from consultation through to maintenance, the hotel was modernized without the upheaval a full mechanical overhaul would have forced on a heritage structure.

Where the DVM S2 goes further is efficiency. Rather than running at full capacity by default, the system learns a building’s cooling patterns to intelligently maintain the precise pressures and temperatures each space requires, effectively reducing compressor energy usage by up to 15%.⁴ Beyond hotels, a Bangkok office tower or a Sydney shopping center can also enjoy efficiency gains from the moment the system is calibrated to how the building operates.

The rise of buildings that learn to optimize themselves

Historically, a retrofit was a single intervention whose performance declined gradually as conditions changed. Intelligent systems overturn that premise: the building continues to learn long after installation is complete. The DVM S2 continuously detects indoor conditions and responds in real time, while SmartThings Pro’s AI Energy Mode weighs live occupancy, weather and electricity tariffs to determine how hard each unit should work at any given moment.

The outcome is a building that adapts to how it is actually used — easing demand on unoccupied floors, and shifting load away from peak-tariff periods. These features ensure efficiency is maintained over time, so a building that once needed periodic recommissioning can keep tuning its own performance, season after season.

How connected ecosystems reduce operating and maintenance costs

The most significant long-term savings are often found not in kilowatt-hours, but in the service calls that never become necessary.

Since the DVM S2 and SmartThings Pro operate on a single connected platform, a facilities team can oversee an entire estate from one dashboard: viewing real-time energy analytics, performance trends and early warnings that surface before a fault escalates into a failure.

Predictive maintenance and remote diagnostics can identify a struggling compressor or a refrigerant leak, allowing many issues to be resolved before an engineer is dispatched.

For owners running portfolios spread across cities, multi-site monitoring consolidates a dispersed estate into a single coherent view — this means fewer emergency repairs, reduced downtime and a maintenance program guided by real-time condition data rather than fixed intervals.

This connected ecosystem approach is being incorporated into new developments like Grantz Forest Park, a mixed-use project led by Samsung’s B2B Integrated Offering Center. The development is planned for Cebu, the Philippines, where residential facility managers will be able to remotely check in on the status of facilities through SmartThings Pro, while the Samsung Building Integrated Solution ‘b.IoT’ will enable control and management of HVAC, lighting, and power facilities to enhance building energy efficiency.

The path forward runs through buildings we already have

It’s tempting to treat new construction as the only real form of progress. But in Southeast Asia and Oceania, where HVAC systems consume significant volumes of energy and thousands of buildings already stand, the bigger opportunity isn’t in what gets built next — it’s in upgrading what’s already there.

For building owners across Southeast Asia and Oceania, the question shifts from whether to modernize, to how they can retrofit existing structures. With AI-powered HVAC solutions from Samsung, the region’s offices, hotel buildings, mixed-used developments and more, can look forward to the benefits offered by efficient and intelligent HVAC systems.

1. Conditions apply. ︎
2. Over 10 different types of indoor units, ranging from 5,000 to 96,000 Btu/h. ︎
3. https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-cooling-in-southeast-asia ︎
4. Based on internal testing with an AM080AXVGGH/EU outdoor unit connected to AM083NN4DBH1 and AM145NN4DBH1 indoor units with 25m of piping, using the cooling operation in Auto mode for 4 hours, with an external temperature of 30°C of and a set temperature of 22°C. Results may vary depending on the actual installation and usage conditions, such as the piping length, elevation and external temperature. ︎

“Samsung has been steadily expanding its presence in the HVAC industry, bringing new innovations to customers every year,” said Sean Lim, Executive Vice President and Head of the Air Solution Business Team for Digital Appliances (DA) Business at Samsung Electronics. “At MCE 2026, we demonstrated how our approach translated into better living — and invited everyone to experience it firsthand.”

At MCE 2026, Samsung organized its booth into dedicated product and service zones — including EHS, WindFree, Chiller and DVM areas, along with a SmartThings service zone — demonstrating how its solutions worked together to support a more integrated and comfortable environment.

Next-Generation Residential Comfort With Bespoke AI WindFree Pro

At its booth, Samsung presented its latest Bespoke AI WindFree Pro air conditioner, featuring a refreshed exterior design that complemented modern living spaces. To elevate everyday comfort, it offered an expanded range of personalized cooling experiences, building on Samsung’s WindFree heritage.

At the heart of the model was Motion Wind — a three-blade system[1] that created seven tailored airflow patterns[2], ranging from powerful Max Wind for rapid cooling to gentle WindFree for draft-free comfort. The two AI-driven modes[3] were AI Direct Wind, which followed the user with targeted airflow for immediate cooling, and AI Indirect Wind, which kept the user comfortable without blowing air directly onto them.

The model also featured AI Fast & Comfort Cooling[4], which analyzed indoor and outdoor temperature, humidity and room size to automatically activate the appropriate cooling mode — Fast Cooling for instant temperature reduction, WindFree for comfortable draft-free cooling and Dry Comfort for pleasant dehumidification without cold air. Users could also activate AI Energy Mode via the SmartThings app, which analyzed usage patterns and environmental conditions to reduce energy consumption by up to 30%.[5]

All-in-One Heat Pump System for Year-Round Home Comfort

In the EHS zone, Samsung spotlighted an all-in-one heat pump system that combined a single outdoor unit with an indoor unit (EHS ClimateHub) to support space heating, cooling and domestic hot water through both air and water in one integrated system.

The system enabled flexible, year-round residential operation, supporting simultaneous functions such as water-based space heating with air heating, water cooling with air cooling or hot water supply combined with air heating — delivering adaptable comfort across seasons. The fully integrated design also enabled efficient heat recovery; rather than discharging heat absorbed during cooling outdoors, the system redirected it for water-based space heating or domestic hot water production — and vice versa. This resulted in a COP of up to 8.2,[6] making it a highly energy-efficient solution for year-round residential comfort.

Strengthening HVAC Solutions for Various Commercial Needs

Samsung also showcased a broad lineup of commercial HVAC solutions, including DVM systems and chiller offerings tailored to diverse building requirements.

This included Samsung’s latest VRF system, named DVM S2+. The new DVM S2+ was equipped with R32 refrigerant in line with global standards, as well as built-in safety measures that ensured peace of mind. It also featured on-device AI capabilities that added convenience.[7] For example, AI Adaptive Control[8] adjusted the outdoor unit’s performance based on its surroundings to help reduce energy usage by up to 25%[9] under certain conditions.

Another key highlight at MCE 2026 was the inclusion of solutions from FläktGroup, whose acquisition had strengthened Samsung’s applied HVAC capabilities — particularly in large-scale facilities such as data centers. FläktGroup’s lineup for the event included core products such as air handling units (AHUs), chilled beams, fan coil units (FCUs) and other air terminal solutions, demonstrating expanded capabilities across commercial and industrial environments.

Connected Control for Daily Comfort

Samsung demonstrated how connected services simplified HVAC management across homes and businesses. Visitors explored usage scenarios enabled by SmartThings Pro, including streamlined monitoring, integrated device control and energy insights designed to provide comfort and operational efficiency.

Samsung remained committed to expanding its HVAC business globally through continued innovation across residential, commercial and smart building applications. Visitors to Samsung’s booth at MCE 2026 explored the latest products and connected solutions, engaged with representatives and experienced Samsung’s vision for smarter, more comfortable environments.

[1] Motion Wings consist of two outer blades (top and bottom) and one inner blade (middle).

[2] SmartThings server stores user data, preferences and usage patterns to suggest the most useful options.

[3] AI Motion Wind refers to AI Direct and AI Indirect wind modes, which operate in AI Auto Mode.

[4] To use AI Fast & Comfort Cooling a Wi-Fi connection and Samsung account SmartThings are required.

[5] The testing was conducted in Samsung’s 132m² residential environment laboratory at a temperature of 35°C / 24°C (dry bulb / wet bulb, KS C 9306: air conditioner). Results provided to and interpreted by Intertek, comparing the power consumption between AI energy mode on and off in AI comfort mode of AR07D9181HZN model. Actual savings may vary by usage patterns and environment and the set temperature may increase by up to 2 degrees. Requires the use of the SmartThings App and a Samsung account.

[6] Samsung internal testing, A2W W45, A2A Indoor Air 27°C [DB] / 19°C [WB], Outdoor Air 35°C [DB] / 24°C [WB]

[7] Depending on the model, AI Core may be included as standard or require separate purchase. New AI features were internally tested according to Samsung’s internal regulations. The testing environment for each AI function may be different.

[8] Users can activate AI Adaptive Control using the Samsung wired remote control or with the SmartThings App.

[9] Based on internal testing in Samsung’s home environment laboratory (approximately 122.1 m³), using the AM072HCVGFG / AA model outdoor unit and AM007FE1DCG / AA and AM048FE4DCG / AA model indoor units. The test conditions: an outdoor dry bulb temperature of 35°C, an outdoor wet bulb temperature of 24°C, operating in the Cooling mode for 6 hours to compare the energy consumption with and without the AI Adaptive Control feature. Results may vary depending on environmental factors and individual use.

Outdoor system makes WindFree units even more “wind-free,” helping spread its comfortable cool to every corner of the space

Samsung Electronics announced the global launch of its new DVM S2 Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) outdoor air conditioning unit that works with indoor units to provide exclusive WindFree Cooling everywhere without the discomfort of direct cold airflow when indoors.

“DVM S2’s efficient yet powerful performance exhibits how Samsung’s exclusive WindFree Cooling technology continues to advance,” said Young June Choi, Head of Air Solution Biz Group of the Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “This AI-controlled system is Samsung’s most advanced climate control solution yet, set to bring WindFree comfort to apartment blocks, small to midsize office buildings, and commercial buildings everywhere.”

DVM S2, Samsung’s sixth-generation Digital Variable Multi air conditioner, incorporates an outdoor-installed system for enhanced flexibility and functionality. It enables connection with up to 64 Samsung indoor air conditioning units for optimal comfort without unpleasant cold drafts. Compatible with Samsung’s 1Way, 4Way, 4Way 600×600, and wall-mounted models, DVM S2 is currently available in Europe and slated to be available in China in July 2021, followed by the Middle East, North America, and select markets in Asia.

Wider Frequency Range for Better WindFree Performance

The DVM S2 features innovative technologies including a more advanced scroll compressor with Advanced Flash Injection (AFI) technology, an enlarged heat exchanger with optimized refrigerant flow, a multi-serration fan, and an enhanced power module.

The more advanced AFI motor control technology allows for a wider frequency range of 10~180Hz. The new low of 10Hz (compared to the previous model’s 14Hz) making the system more stable at low frequencies, leading to better WindFree performance for draft-free, comfortable temperature control. The new high of 180Hz ensures more powerful cooling performance.

Bigger Heat Exchanger and Multi-Serration Fan

Compared to the same capacity models in the current DVM S series, the heat transfer area of the heat exchanger in all the new models are significantly larger. The new unit’s hybrid path is designed to optimize the refrigerant flow corresponding to the airflow profile. Moreover, its unique multi-serration fan minimizes the turbulence of the air vortex, applying different serration, considering the air velocity of the edge and the inside of the blade, respectively. Moreover, the highly efficient Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) reduces the loss of conducted electricity.

DVM S2’s new design is more aerodynamic and allows quieter operation, compared to previous generations. It has a more robust frame and reinforced structure with an upgraded exterior cabinet for reliability. The cooling operating range and external static pressure have been extended for flexibility in design, along with an upgrade on the emergency operation mode. Moreover, DVM S2 also features an on-device inverter check for better maintenance. Advanced technology for refrigerant sub-cooling control and installation condition analysis allowed for a smaller liquid pipe, which provides a 28% reduction in the amount of additional refrigerants used during installation compared to its predecessor.

AI Capabilities for Smarter, Faster Cooling

Thanks to its AI capabilities, DVM S2 detects indoor climate conditions to deliver optimized cooling and heating performance. AI Low Pressure Control learns the patterns of cooling operation and reaches the target temperature more rapidly, ensuring users in the room feel more at ease at the desired temperature. Meanwhile, AI High Pressure Control maintains the optimal high pressure by making adjustments based on the installed environment. AI Defrost Control provides the best timing for defrost operations, and hence offers increased comfort during heating. In addition, DVM S2’s advanced AI algorithms can detect refrigerant leaks in real-time and send alerts immediately so users can monitor and manage their units quickly without compromising comfort.