LG Electronics has launched its Multi V i Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) HVAC system in Australia.
The commercial air solution incorporates AI to support climate control and energy management within business environments.
It diagnoses and utilises user behaviour patterns, automatically sensing the room’s temperature, occupancy and humidity levels to generate an optimal indoor environment.
The Multi V i supports a performance output of 26 HP and is specified for operation between -30°C and 52°C, with full rated performance available from -11°C to 43°C.
Users can control the system via wired remote controllers, and can set operational noise limits with Noise Target Control for suitability in densely populated areas.
The VRF system modulates the flow of refrigerant to multiple indoor units, ensuring each zone receives the right amount of cooling or heating.
While both VRFs and traditional systems regulate temperature, VRF systems do not feature a one-size-fits-all approach and regulate the refrigerant flow based on demand.
The need for smarter HVAC systems
According to LG, HVAC systems typically represent around 40 percent of a site’s overall energy usage. Managing them efficiently can be a major driver in reducing carbon emissions and operational costs.
The AI Smart Care function on this Multi V i system gathers real-time data along several parameters, including temperature and humidity, before applying those algorithms to manage settings across indoor units.
The AI Smart Metering capability of the system tracks energy usage in real time and produces an estimation model for consumption. Facility managers and HVAC operators can monitor the system’s estimated energy savings at daily, weekly, monthly and annual intervals through a controller interface.
The AI Energy Management feature analyses operational data and predicts future energy needs using a generated Energy Pattern Model to regulate the outdoor unit’s activity in line with set monthly energy targets.
In addition to its focus on efficiency, the system incorporates features designed to maintain constant temperatures throughout commercial spaces. Its AI Indoor Space Care feature uses algorithms to identify and group adjacent indoor units, managing them to maintain balanced temperatures as indoor or outdoor conditions shift.
The Multi V i also integrates external weather data through Weather Interlocking Control, sourcing real-time updates from AccuWeather.
According to LG, this enables functionalities such as pre-heating, automatic snow removal for the outdoor units and comfort cooling, all tailored to local weather variations.
“At LG, our commitment to empowering a better life through smart, intuitive solutions is clearly demonstrated by our flagship Multi V i HVAC solutions,” LG Electronics ANZ managing director Dan Lim says. “It represents a significant leap forward in HVAC technology, delivering on business concerns around efficiency and comfort.”
The company says the AI engine backing the system will continue to receive updates, with its data gathering and algorithm improvements being tweaked to introduce further operational enhancements in the future.
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