Why Samsung Refrigerators Received Energy Awards in the US

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] Samsung Electronics' latest refrigerator is gaining attention for being recognized for its eco-friendly technology in the United States.

On the 6th, Samsung Electronics announced that its refrigerator received the 'Energy Star High Efficiency & Advanced Technology Award (ETA)' hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The ETA is an award given by the U.S. EPA to products that apply technologies effective in reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

The six new Samsung refrigerator models that received this award are equipped with active digital inverter compressors. The compressor is a key component that acts as the 'engine' of a refrigerator and determines its energy performance.

Most Samsung refrigerators use a 'digital inverter compressor.' Unlike conventional fixed-speed compressors, the digital inverter compressor adjusts energy consumption within a speed range from 1050 RPM to 4300 RPM according to refrigerator usage frequency.

In particular, Samsung refrigerators actively control cooling operation by recognizing the surrounding environment and usage patterns through about 10 different sensors installed inside and outside the refrigerator, including temperature sensors, humidity sensors, and door opening detection sensors. Thanks to this, not only is food storage performance excellent, but energy consumption can be reduced by about 30%. Consequently, greenhouse gas emissions are also reduced.

By intelligently detecting temperature changes inside and outside the refrigerator and adjusting the compressor operation speed, other useful functions have become possible. For example, the Chef Collection maintains temperature variations inside the refrigerator below plus or minus 0.5℃, providing 'Micro Precise Temperature Control Technology' that allows ingredients to be stored fresher and longer.

Samsung Electronics has continuously developed high-efficiency energy technologies, receiving the ETA for dryers in 2013, refrigerators in 2017, and again this year for refrigerators. A total of 29 models have received the ETA, setting the record for the most awards in the home appliance industry.

Master Seoguk Jung of Samsung Electronics' Home Appliance Business said, “This award proves that compressors with digital inverter technology can significantly save energy in real life,” adding, “We will continue to develop products for sustainable management, including eco-friendliness and energy savings.”