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| Models pose with Samsung Electronics' wind-free air conditioners in this photo provided by the firm, Thursday. / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics |
By Baek Byung-yeul
Samsung Electronics has unveiled its latest air conditioners, equipped with enhanced air purification and artificial intelligence (AI) features.
The company said Thursday the wind-free air conditioners are known for their trademarked cooling system that provides a comfortable indoor climate without any direct air flow. Samsung introduced its first wind-free products in 2016.
The firm said its latest floor-standing air conditioners offer a more powerful air purification feature in response to worsening fine dust pollution.
"There were only 11 floor-standing air conditioners that have air purification feature in 2018. But 31 out of 50 models for 2019 have that feature," said Lee Jae-hwan, vice president of the firm's consumer electronics division, during a press conference at Samsung R&D Campus in southern Seoul.
The latest air conditioners equip improved air filters that can filter out fine dust as small as 0.3 micrometers in diameter.
They also offer enhanced energy efficiency as the firm uses improved components such as compressors, heat exchangers and motors.
"According to our survey, the average operating time of air conditioners in July and August was 11.2 hours per day, and about two-thirds leave air conditioners on for 24 hours during that period. So we tried to come up with new air conditioners that consume less energy," Lee said.
When the new air conditioners are on wind-free mode, consumers can save up to 90 percent of electricity, compared to other air conditioners. "Even in tropical nights during summer, consumers can use air conditioners as it costs about 4,400 won ($3.92) when using the good sleep mode," Lee said.
What makes them different from other products is they have a micro control feature so users can raise or lower the temperature by 0.5 degrees Celsius.
The new air conditioners feature Samsung's Bixby AI assistant to control the devices by voice command. Design-wise, Samsung said the new products come with a more distinctive design that can be blended with a home's interior. While the previous air conditioners have big air holes, the latest version hides them inside the panel.
In addition, Samsung introduced wall-mounted air conditioners that have wind-free and air purification features as well as Cube air purifiers.
Priced between 3.89 million won ($3,468) and 6.65 million won ($5,928), the new air conditioners will hit the market starting Jan. 24. The Cube air purifiers will be available from Feb. 1. Air purifiers that can cover 67 square meters are priced between 1.1 million won and 1.3 million won while the bigger ones that cover 114 square meters will be sold between 1.9 million won and 2.3 million won.
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