London, 23rd November 2023 – Samsung Electronics Air Conditioner Europe B.V. (SEACE) announces the official UK launch of its pioneering product, the EHS Mono R290 heat pump. Unveiled earlier this year at InstallerSHOW in the NEC, Birmingham, the EHS Mono R290 offers cutting-edge technology that enhances comfort and has a low Global Warming Potential (GWP).

Heating with future-proof innovation

Several key features make the EHS Mono R290 a future-proof choice for homeowners. It has a remarkably low Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 3 (compared to the GWP of other refrigerant technologies such as R32 (675)). It provides a consistent supply of high hot water temperature, reaching up to 75 °C^[1], making the range ideal for renovations and retrofits.

Moreover, the EHS Mono R290 boasts an enlarged integral plate heat exchanger capable of transferring more heat at once compared to a conventional outdoor unit, thanks to a heat transfer area of up to 39% larger^[2]. It boasts a reliable heating performance, enabling it to deliver a 100% heating performance in temperatures as low as -10°C^[3]. It also enables the production of Domestic Hot Water (DHW) at 70°C when the outdoor temperature is -10 to 43°C^[4] ambient temperature without using the booster heater, thus saving energy while producing DHW on hot summer days.

Joe Raftery, Heating Product Manager in the UK for Samsung Climate Solutions says, “We are particularly pleased to be launching this product which represents huge technological achievements in product design. This product demonstrates once again that Samsung has catered to the expectations of the modern consumer by offering them more flexibility in the low carbon heat sources available to them. The internal components of the unit have been adapted when compared to a standard R32 monobloc heat pump to support the separation of the R290 refrigerant and the rest of the system. Designed to work seamlessly with R290, homeowners and installers alike will appreciate the ease of operation of this unit.”

Seamless Setup and aesthetic appeal

The EHS Mono outdoor unit is designed for simple installation, service and maintenance. The internal components of the heat pump can be accessed through the side panel, which can be removed by simply loosening three screws. This results in significant time and effort saving during the installation, maintenance and servicing procedures.

Styled in a dark grey colour which complements the current design trend for modern building exteriors, the EHS Mono R290 adds elegance to a multitude of outdoor facades, enhancing everything from retrofit projects to modern new build homes.

The product is available in a broad range of capacities for varying requirements – 5, 8, 12, and 16-kW. All the units are single fan, but notably, the 5- and 8-kW units are only 850mm in height.

Optimised energy control and timely insights

The new range of heat pumps can also be connected to SmartThings Energy^[5] to maximise savings and optimise energy usage. One of the largest open ecosystems of connected devices worldwide, Samsung’s SmartThings Energy is compatible with voice assistants like Bixby, Google Home and Amazon Alexa^[6] and a wide range of devices. It offers the ultimate home energy management systems, as well as real energy savings through rich insights, energy saving automations, and support for users to move towards a net zero home.

The EHS Mono R290 is also compatible with the EHS Cloud Service and can be integrated with SmartThings Energy, which provides professionals with a wealth of technical data and insights, enabling remote monitoring of the unit as well as energy saving automation^[7]. From automatic reports to malfunction types, and status checks to energy consumption information, the EHS Cloud Service allows professionals to make a pre-diagnosis of potential issues, so they may carry the necessary parts and equipment when visiting the user’s home. It also allows for solving minor issues remotely.

The EHS Mono R290 will be available from the end of November in a broad range of capacities to suit the varying needs of homeowners across the UK. For more information on the EHS Mono R290 and Samsung’s commitment to low carbon heating solutions, please click here.

[1] Leaving water temperature when the outdoor temperature is -10~35°C. C. Results may vary depending on the actual usage conditions.

[2] Based on Samsung’s measurements on an EHS R290 Mono (AE080CXYDGK/EU) model compared to a conventional outdoor unit (AE080RXYDGG/EU) with the same capacity.

[3] Based on a leaving water temperature of 55°C. Results may vary depending on the actual usage conditions.

[4] Domestic hot water (DHW) leaving the DHW tank is 70°C when the outdoor temperature is -10~43°C. If the outdoor temperature is lower than -10°C, a booster heater is required. Results may vary depending on the actual usage conditions”.

[5] Available on Android and iOS devices. A Wi-Fi connection, Samsung account and an optional Wi-Fi Kit (MIM-H04N) are required.

[6] Voice control is supported by AI speakers such as Samsung Bixby 2.0, Google Assistant (Google Home) and Amazon Alexa. Google Assistant is not available in certain languages and countries. Google is a trademark of Google LLC.

[7] Only available on Samsung products which are compatible with this service and to the extent the end-user has agreed to the terms and conditions of the service and consented to the privacy notice applicable. A separate Wi-Fi Kit may be required for the EHS unit

Given the timely increase of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme Grant to £7,500 and the urgency within the industry to move forward with decarbonisation of heating, as heating our homes accounts for roughly 14% of UK emissions,^[1] it’s more important now than ever to create the necessary skills infrastructure to cater to growing consumer take up of heat pumps.

The scheme is designed to help close the skills gap by attracting a more diverse pool of technicians into the profession, especially women. By providing more supportive learning environments and access to a range of role models the hope is this new traineeship will forge an alternative path for those wanting to re-train or enter the industry.

The trainees were welcomed to Samsung House and Training Centre in Chertsey for an induction day to kick off their traineeship, learning about the industry as a whole and Samsung’s experience within it.

At the event, Leah Robson, Managing Director of Your Energy Your Way, said of the traineeship: “My personal experience is one of becoming an accidental expert in the low carbon heating installation business. Over the past 10 years, assisting with and then running my own firm has taught me more than any MBA or College course ever could. We wanted to create a course that trained you to install high-quality integrated low carbon heating solutions, drawing on electrical, plumbing, technical, design, software, sales and customer service skills.”

The recruitment of the trainees was supported by Greenworkx, a recruitment company that focuses on jobs in sustainable and low carbon energy. Through a staged process of applications, interviews and a final assessment day with a range of tasks at the City Plumbing Training Centre, three successful applicants have been selected.

Leah added: “We think we have found a solution, by designing a training programme that is rooted in real world experience, combined with payment of the Living Wage to bring new entrants of all ages and backgrounds into the industry. And we are very, very excited to be launching the traineeship today with our first trainees.”

Samsung will provide training, support, and product awareness to all of the trainees as well as fulfil an important mentorship role. With a two year commitment of learning on the job, and formal training via BetaTeach’s Learning Experience Platform, trainees will develop their skills in the installation of heat pumps and solar panels, and learn from the Your Energy Your Way team across installation, customer service and maintenance.

Aimee Holloran, Heating Business Development, Samsung Climate Solutions commented: “This is such an exciting time to be in the low carbon heating business and we need to do all we can to attract more diverse new talent for the future of the industry. I am personally very proud to be a part of this scheme as a mentor to one of the trainees, and fully support Leah in her important mission to help close the skills gap. Samsung Climate Solutions has worked with Leah for nearly ten years, and we hope that by supporting these trainees through their journey on this pilot scheme, we can encourage more people to upskill in low carbon heating as the UK works towards hitting its decarbonisation targets.”

At the end of the course, the trainees will be peer assessed by Your Energy Your Way staff and other recognised industry professionals to confirm that they are industry ready.

“For me, on-the-job learning programmes give people a skill for life, like did they did for me, and it’s always something you can fall back on. We can’t wait for the trainees to hit the ground running and support them on their career journey,” added Aimee.

For more information about Samsung’s training, please click here.

[1] https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/report/decarbonising-heating-home

LONDON, UK – 10^th August 2023 – Today Samsung Climate Solutions reveals the results of bespoke research^[1] which finds that although almost two-thirds (64%) of workers in the UK with hybrid working patterns are planning to spend more time in the office in 2023 than in 2022, 66% would be deterred from heading to the office if the air conditioning wasn’t working or was of their opinion low quality.

Against a backdrop of increased levels of office occupancy from previous years, and temperatures remaining at record levels in the UK, the need for quality climate control within the working environment will be a key factor for attracting more of those who want to be back with their professional peers in the office.

Among those putting in more days in the office, the difference from 2022 is considerable with the average being 9.2 extra days per month in 2023. This is particularly important to 18 to 24-year-olds of which 81% of those surveyed said they were planning more face-to-face days with their co-workers, highlighting the increasing importance of in person work and collaboration.

Almost half (46%) of those surveyed planned to take advantage of office air conditioning if there is a repeat heatwave this summer.  It is clear to see how many hybrid workers appreciate a cool working environment as 35% said they go in when the weather is hot to make use of the air conditioning.

Given this demand, the quality of office environments is more vital than ever. 24% of hybrid workers were not satisfied with their office air conditioning, and of those 40% reported that it is often not functioning properly. Interestingly, almost a third (31%) of hybrid workers who have experienced problems with air conditioning say the problem is cold draughts.

Steve Fleming, Head of Climate Solutions UK & Ireland, commented: “As the UK adapts to changing working patterns and changing weather patterns, the importance of advanced technology in cooling will only increase. Businesses looking to attract workers into the office on a regular basis will gain significantly from quality climate control technology in the months and years to come. Such technologies include Samsung’s WindFree^TM cooling, which disperses the cool air evenly through an office without the stereotypical cold draughts that people complain about. There is a huge opportunity here to cope with demand as people return to the office to make our working and social spaces as comfortable as possible.”

Furthermore, control systems will have a key role in office comfort. The research reveals that just under half (42%) of hybrid workers in the UK have had a dispute about the air conditioning. A third of respondents (34%) have argued with colleagues about what temperature the room should be set at and just under a quarter (24%) have complained about the temperature going up and down due to people constantly altering it.

Interestingly, the most common trigger for the dispute is individuals setting the thermostat to suit themselves (37%). Over half (55%) of hybrid workers say that their offices have a single control system to manage the temperature for the whole working space. Only a third (36%) have systems that allow them to control the temperature by office area and only a quarter of offices have a democratic approach to controlling the temperature in their workspace, allowing each employee to cast an equal vote. However, this progressive approach doesn’t apply everywhere.  15% of respondents stated that in their offices, the boss will be in charge of setting the temperature.

As the hybrid working landscape changes, workers are adjusting their lifestyles to best suit their work-life balance, especially as the UK climate changes too. This is changing our expectations of public spaces, from offices to gyms, as more than half (57%) of hybrid workers in the UK (rising to almost two thirds (62%) among women) would avoid a gym where the air conditioning wasn’t up to their standard. Almost a half (45%) say they’d avoid a restaurant or pub with a similar problem and almost a quarter (24%) would side-step a shop.

Building cloud management services, such as Samsung’s b.IoT interface which allows remote, zoned control for commercial buildings, will enable companies to manage office environments for the benefit of all employees. Technology is rapidly advancing to best suit the needs and demands of the changing climate and this data illustrates the importance of climate control for the modern hybrid worker.

[1] Samsung Climate Solutions survey of 500 hybrid working adults in the UK on their attitudes towards air conditioning and the comfort of office conditions. Conducted by Samsung research partner.

London, UK – 14^th March, 2022  At Samsung Climate Solutions, we believe that in order to reach the government’s decarbonisation targets for heating, it is essential to increase the awareness of greener heating options such as heat pumps. To help achieve this aim, we have partnered with architectural designer Charlie Luxton to communicate the importance of this technology.

Best known for presenting TV programs such as Building the Dream and Homes by the Sea, Charlie’s own architecture practice channels his passion for the environment and sustainable building. His expertise and innovative approach to design make Charlie a natural ambassador of Samsung Eco Heating Systems.

We are constantly innovating, developing, and optimising our air source heat pump offering to support the transition to cleaner and greener energy. Traditional gas boilers operate on fossil fuels, such as gas or oil, to heat buildings or provide hot water, whereas Samsung’s air source heat pumps use electricity and energy available in the outside air to generate heat.

Speaking on his passion for the topic, Charlie said: “In terms of sustainable design and green heating, the housing stock is responsible for a huge amount of CO2 production. So clearly if you’re interested in the environment and climate change, and you’re involved in architecture, there is a massive problem that needs to be tackled.”

“If we’re talking about the kind of numbers that we need to be hitting, you need large corporations to invest and develop, and the fact that Samsung are doing that is a really good mix for the challenge that we’ve got ahead of us. Working with a company that are not only interested in delivering new heat pump technology into the market, but also providing a wider support mechanism to get people to understand the point of heat pumps and how they should be used, is what we need.”

On his vision for decarbonisation in the next ten years, Charlie explains: “We need to make a serious national investment in our housing stock. Fundamentally, I think we need a massive drive on insulation and a massive drive on changing the heat source; there has to be a hand in glove approach.”

Jon Brigly, Marketing Manager at Samsung Climate Solutions, added, “Charlie is a great partner for us due to our shared passion for driving the switch to low-carbon heating. We look forward to working together on content to raise awareness of air source heat pumps and how to heat homes more sustainably.”

For more information on Samsung Eco Heating Systems, click here.