LG Electronics unveils Korean-style apartment heat pump model in Jeju

[Financial News] LG Electronics is installing heat pumps in an apartment complex where residents actually live. By replacing existing boilers and gas piping with heat pumps, a single outdoor unit can provide both cooling and underfloor heating. LG Electronics plans to lead the multi-unit housing heating electrification market by providing a "boiler-free apartment" solution.
On the 15th, LG Electronics signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju Development Corporation, and the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) at International Convention Center Jeju to promote the 'Electrification of Cooling and Heating in Apartment Buildings and P2H (Power to Heat) Demonstration Project.'
Key officials attended the signing ceremony, including Jeju Governor Wi Seong-gon, Jeju Development Corporation Housing Welfare Business Division Head Kim Dae-hyun, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) Acting President Kim Taek-soo, and LG Electronics ES Research Institute Head and Vice President Saikee Oh.
This demonstration project involves constructing and operating a heat pump system tailored to multi-unit housing at Sinhyo Apartment in Hyodon-dong, Seogwipo City, Jeju. Twelve households currently reside at Sinhyo Apartment. LG Electronics plans to complete the design next month, begin construction, and commence full-scale operational testing after completion in December. LG Electronics is responsible for the overall heat pump system design, the supply of high-efficiency products, commissioning and maintenance, and performance evaluation based on operating data.
The core solution combines an integrated cooling and heating system for each household with a central hot water P2H (Power to Heat) system using the building's common areas. High-efficiency heat pumps installed in each unit provide direct cooling and underfloor heating. In other words, a single outdoor unit can provide both cooling and heating, enabling customized climate control for each household.
The central hot water P2H system also uses a centralized hot water supply method instead of installing hot water tanks for each household. An air-source heat pump for central hot water supply and a large-capacity hot water tank are installed in unused space in the first-floor pilotis to stably supply hot water to each household. This technology uses surplus electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar power to operate the heat pump, stores the resulting heat, and uses it for hot water supply. It can contribute to power grid stabilization while helping residents reduce their energy costs.
LG Electronics has continued its heat pump business in global markets since 2008.
After entering the domestic system boiler business in 2011, the company built up air-conditioning and heating technologies optimized for Korea's residential environment, including supplying Korea's first residential integrated heat pump boiler in 2018.
In the '2026 Jeju Lifestyle Heat Pump Supply Project' recently conducted by the government and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, LG Electronics was selected as the top operator after securing the largest number of households among this year's total allocation.
LG Electronics plans to expand heat pump deployment throughout multi-unit housing based on this demonstration. Using actual operating data obtained from the demonstration at Sinhyo Apartment, the company plans to establish a 'Korean-style standard model for multi-unit housing electrification' tailored to various residential forms, including public rental housing, remodeling of existing buildings, and new apartment complexes.
"This demonstration, conducted in an apartment complex where residents actually live, is highly significant because it verifies a heat pump electrification model for cooling, heating, and hot water supply optimized for the characteristics of multi-unit housing," said Saikee Oh, vice president and head of LG Electronics' ES Research Institute. "Based on LG Electronics' unrivaled heat pump technology proven in global markets, we will lead the transition to decarbonized electrification in Korea's residential environment."

[email protected] Park So-hyun Reporter