By Eamonn Ryan
LG Electronics South Africa has unveiled its latest breakthroughs in HVAC technology at a landmark product launch event held in October 2025. The event brought together leading industry players, contractors, and distributors for an immersive first look at LG’s newest innovations. Through live demonstrations and presentations from the company’s leadership team, attendees experienced how LG’s next-generation HVAC solutions are evolving to meet the rising demand for intelligent, energy-efficient and sustainable air-conditioning systems across southern Africa. This is part three of a three-part series.
A section of the audience. © RACA Journal
LG also unveiled its latest generation of rooftop package units, engineered to deliver advanced inverter technology, superior energy efficiency and high durability tailored for South African operating conditions.
The new LG rooftop units are available in capacities ranging from 90 000 to 300 000 BTU, each featuring inverter-driven compressors. Unlike conventional on/off systems, inverter compressors automatically adjust their speed to match the building’s real-time cooling or heating demand. This allows for stable indoor temperatures, reduced mechanical stress, and significant energy savings.
Under comparable conditions, traditional systems consume around 21.83kWh per hour, while LG’s inverter units require as little as 12.07kWh per hour. A field case in Cape Town demonstrated a reduction of 18.14kWh per hour, underscoring both the financial and environmental benefits of the technology.
The design prioritises efficiency, reliability and ease of maintenance. The units employ brushless DC fan motors with a direct drive fan system, eliminating belts that typically require periodic adjustment and cause energy losses. This configuration enhances performance while lowering maintenance costs.
Each fan connects to its own PCB control board, allowing precise speed modulation and optimised airflow. Dual temperature sensors – monitoring both indoor and outdoor air – ensure that the unit maintains comfort without wasting energy.
Maintenance efficiency is built in: slide-out air filters are easy to access and clean, enabling technicians to complete service tasks quickly and safely.
Designed with local challenges in mind, the units include built-in voltage protection to guard against power surges and load-shedding fluctuations – a crucial feature for South Africa’s variable grid conditions.
The systems integrate seamlessly with building management systems (BMS) via the AC Smart 5 controller, enabling centralised monitoring and control. Up to 16 indoor systems can be connected to a single interface, allowing users to manage temperature setpoints, lock individual zones and schedule operation across 24-hour or seven-day cycles. These intelligent controls enhance flexibility, comfort and energy optimisation.
