Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics set a new record for the most awards at the country’s largest energy-efficiency awards ceremony. At the 29th Energy Winner Awards, hosted by the Citizens United for Better Society and supported by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Korea Energy Agency, Samsung achieved an eighth straight Energy Prize and LG posted an industry-leading 10th straight year with the most awards, the companies said on Monday.

Samsung won a total of 10 categories. Its 'Bespoke AI Wind-Free Combo Gallery Pro' air conditioner won the top Energy Prize as well as the minister’s award from the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. The product has an 'absence power-saving' function that automatically adjusts cooling strength by detecting when a user is away through a 'motion radar' sensor. It cuts energy use by up to 42 percent. A 'comfort dehumidification' feature introduced last year precisely controls refrigerant using a humidity sensor to reduce energy use by up to 30 percent compared with existing dehumidification.

Samsung also won an energy technology award for its 'Infinite Line hood-integrated induction' launched in April. The product delivers up to 7,400 watts when all burners are used simultaneously, while achieving grade 1 energy consumption efficiency. A hood built into the centre of the induction removes smoke and odours during cooking, and a 'smart mode' supports automatic adjustment of suction power when an air-quality sensor detects total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). Samsung also won seven Energy Winner Awards. Its 'EHS heat pump boiler' posted a seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) of 4.9, producing about five times as much heating energy as the power it consumes.

Moon Jong-seung (문종승), a vice president in Samsung’s DA Division, said the company has again proven its competitiveness in high-efficiency home appliance technology by winning the Energy Prize for eight straight years since 2019. He said it will continue to develop differentiated energy technologies and introduce innovative energy solutions.

LG won 12 main awards, including three grand prizes. The LG Whisen AI Objet Collection Tower I air conditioner won the grand prize and the minister’s award from the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. The product is the first to include an 'AI Cold Free' function that controls temperature and humidity at the same time. It raises cooling efficiency by up to 13 percent and reduces electricity bills by up to 11.5 percent compared with products of the same class cooling capacity. LG’s E-paper display also won the grand prize and the chairman’s award from the Korea Energy Agency. Using an ultra-low-power technology that maintains the screen without power supply, it reduced power consumption by more than 99 percent compared with existing digital signage.

A new LG Dios AI Objet Collection dishwasher set for launch was also selected for a grand prize. It is the first time a dishwasher has won the grand prize since the awards began in 1997. A new drying technology cuts electricity use by about 10 percent compared with existing models, and internal-structure optimisation reduces water use by about 18 percent. Washing time is shortened by about 24 minutes compared with existing models. LG also won energy technology awards for products including the LG PuriCare ice water purifier and the Stem Basic refrigerator, while seven product types including heat pumps, air conditioners, washer-dryers and Stylers won Energy Winner Awards.

Jung Jae-woong (정재웅), head of LG Electronics’ Customer Value Innovation Division and an executive director, said the company will continue to introduce products and solutions that can contribute to a sustainable future through differentiated technological innovation that improves energy efficiency.