Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems have long been the cornerstone of indoor comfort, providing occupants of both residential and commercial buildings with temperature-controlled air. HVAC provides ‘thermal comfort,’ keeping inside temperatures and humidity levels within a range that is comfortable for humans. This range, which can vary significantly depending on the time of year, and various other factors, is key to people’s productivity and health while spending time indoors.
Studies have shown that maintaining thermal comfort in an indoor space correlates directly with occupants’ productivity, with deviations from the ideal temperature potentially leading to decreased cognitive performance.* Whereas older HVAC systems with fixed settings and operational schedules can cause discomfort and health issues, solutions employing AI can help avoid any such problems through their ability to intelligently adapt to changing conditions in real time.
Recognizing the important role that AI can play in optimizing indoor comfort – and in protecting people’s well-being – LG launched the groundbreaking Multi V i. A Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system, the Multi V i leverages state-of-the-art AI to elevate thermal comfort and energy efficiency.
Achieving Balanced Temperatures for Workplace Comfort
Air conditioning and heating issues are common in workplaces, especially in buildings with outdated HVAC systems. Older systems often provide inconsistent temperatures, even within a single room or space. Temperature variations can also occur due to factors such as the time of day, time of year, or how many windows and doors a structure has. To accommodate diverse temperature preferences, and to help keep a facility’s occupants safe and able to perform at their best, it is crucial to maintain constant thermal conditions. The AI Indoor Space Care feature of the Multi V i offers a solution to this significant challenge by supporting the maintenance of a balanced temperature throughout the indoor space.
LG’s AI-powered Multi V i identifies adjacent indoor units and then defines virtual groups based on a correlation coefficient, a metric that represents an adjacency relationship between the indoor units. The Multi V i collects real-time data on room temperature and piping temperature of indoor units every 30 seconds and employs AI algorithms, including Q-Learning, to find a correlation formula that enables specific indoor units to ‘cooperate’ to maintain an even indoor temperature.
Should any temperature imbalances occur, the system automatically selects which indoor units to operate cooperatively. As the cooling or heating load decreases, the cooperating units are automatically turned off, while the Multi V i continues to run optimally. This AI-based operation mode helps to bring thermal comfort to every corner of the building.
Optimizing Indoor Comfort with Intelligent Outdoor Adaptation
The temperature and humidity outside can have a significant impact on indoor thermal comfort. To keep a space pleasantly comfortable while saving energy, it is essential that an HVAC solution be able to make intelligent real-time adjustments that take weather conditions into account. Utilizing AI, the Multi V i’s Weather Interlocking Control provides ‘environmentally optimized’ performance through features such as pre-heating, snow removal, air cleaning, and comfort cooling – each activated based on up-to-the-minute weather information received from AccuWeather.
For example, when AccuWeather data shows that it is cold outside, the Multi V i can automatically turn on pre-heating so that residents returning home are greeted by delightfully warm air. If AccuWeather indicates it is snowing, the outdoor unit’s fan automatically switches on to blow it away, even when the Multi V i is in standby mode, preventing any malfunctions due to snow accumulation. By incorporating Weather Interlocking Control, Multi V i improves indoor thermal comfort no matter the weather conditions outside.
Managing Outdoor Unit Noise
Noise from outdoor HVAC units can be a source of discomfort and annoyance for people trying to work; reducing their productivity and negatively affecting their sense of well-being. With Noise Target Control, LG Multi V i enables users to set operational noise limits, so that the sound produced by the outdoor unit does not exceed predefined levels. LG’s AI-enabled VRF system can be set to be compliant with local noise regulations, making it an ideal solution for commercial buildings situated close to one another and high-density housing.
The use of AI technology in HVAC systems opens up a new era of thermal comfort. A prime example of what is now possible, the LG Multi V i intelligently overcomes the limitations of conventional HVAC systems to deliver enhanced performance, stronger energy-savings and a quieter environment, both indoors and out. The company’s next-gen solution effectively addresses the challenges of maintaining balanced temperatures, adapting to weather conditions and controlling noise levels, offering a comprehensive answer to the question of how to keep an indoor space comfortable and its occupants as productive as possible.
Continued innovation and investment in AI technology will further enhance HVAC systems, ensuring optimal comfort and well-being for users and helping to drive future advancements. An industry leader, LG will continue to push the envelope, leveraging the latest tech and its decades of experience to take commercial and residential HVAC to the next level.
LG air conditioning provides optimized solutions for every sector and climate with a wide range of cutting-edge systems that bring exceptional heating, ventilation and air conditioning performance to buildings worldwide. Through unmatched expertise and industry knowledge, LG responds directly to the needs of businesses seeking digitalized and eco-conscious HVAC solutions. LG is the partner your business has been looking for, and is well prepared to integrate our leading technology into day-to-day operations, supporting you and your business every step of the way. For more information, visit https://www.lg.com/ph/business/about-lg-air-solution
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* Ghahramani, A., Galicia, P., Lehrer, D., Varghese, Z., Wang, Z., & Pandit, Y. (2020). Artificial Intelligence for Efficient Thermal Comfort Systems: Requirements, Current Applications and Future Directions. Frontiers in Built Environment, 6. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2020.00049 Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/item/75j1m967
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