LG and Opalnet to bring new set of cutting-edge chillers, water heaters, to East Africa
Sponsored by LG Electronics
Left to right: LG East Africa Air Solutions Product Director Yeonguk Yun; LG East Africa President Donghun Lee; and Rakesh Singh, the Managing Director of Opalnet, during the March 21 unveiling of some of LG Electronics latest innovations.
What you need to know:
- The increasing number of hotels, hospitals, malls and apartments in major towns is fuelling demand for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment.
- On March 21, 2025, LG East Africa, in collaboration with its distributor, Opalnet Engineering Ltd, hosted a forum in Nairobi to introduce a range of new chillers and water heaters.
By Evans Ongwae
Air conditioning needs are changing. Users of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment want efficient and energy-saving solutions with an excellent return on investment.
In particular, the increasing number of hotels, hospitals, malls and apartments in major towns is fuelling demand for HVAC equipment. In response, LG Electronics East Africa (EA) is bringing into the region advanced chillers and water heating equipment. LG EA President Mr Donghun Lee explains that the firm has tapped technology to develop eco-friendly, energy-saving and efficient HVAC solutions.
On March 21, 2025, LG EA, in collaboration with its distributor, Opalnet Engineering Ltd, hosted a forum in Nairobi to introduce a range of new chillers and water heaters. More than 250 people, including consultants and HVAC designers, attended the function.
“At LG electronics, we believe in a future where technology drives innovation and improves the lives of people. We will keep pushing innovation boundaries to meet evolving customer needs,” Mr Lee said.
LG air conditioning products remain popular in this region because of a combination of factors. For example, before introducing new products, the firm invites dealers and contractors every year to a forum where it showcases the offerings. Additionally, it trains engineers who provide technical support to customers, so that they understand the products beforehand.
At the forum, LG professionals demonstrated how their versatile solutions could be customised to fit the specific needs of any project, whether it’s a residential space or a large scale commercial setup.
Opalnet Engineering Ltd Chief Executive Officer, Mr Brian Kitui, said his firm is delighted to work with LG, which, he asserts, has a range of innovative air condition products and other popular electronic equipment.
Mr Kitui lauded LG for developing energy-efficient and eco-friendly products. He gave the example of the chillers LG plans to introduce in this market, saying they are 15 percent more energy-efficient than similar products already available locally.
LG plans to sell different types of chillers, namely: Screw, scroll, centrifugal, and absorption types.
LG centrifugal chiller.
LG air-cooled screw chiller.
LG scroll chiller.
The electronics firm also showcased its top-class energy-efficient heat pump water heater that uses dual inverter compressor, available in different capacities.
The heat pump water heaters come in capacities of 150 litres, 200 litres and 270 litres. This offers remarkable hot water supply options to hotels and residential spaces.
During his presentation, LG regional Commercial Air Conditioner Business Head, Mr Eric Kiprono, explained the different kinds of chillers and water heaters LG provides, the technology used in developing them, and the different capacities available, from the smallest to the biggest.
Mr Kiprono said the firm is bringing to the region, diverse water heating solutions of varying application, capacity, and temperature requirements. “The water heaters will satisfy specific customer demands,” he stressed.
LG Heat pump water heaters.
Opalnet Engineering Ltd have already trained sales and after-sales engineers in readiness for the arrival of the chillers and the water heaters, just as they have been doing for other LG’s HVAC products.
“We have an excellent working relationship with LG,” said Mr Kitui, adding: “We deal with customers who give us feedback on the LG products. We relay that feedback to LG EA, who then pass it to the factory.”
Mr Kitui said in 2025, customers are assured of adequate stocks for their projects, on-time delivery, and spare parts availability. Dealers are assured of technical support, especially in project commissioning and troubleshooting.
LG's HVAC solutions have consistently outperformed competitors, earning the prestigious Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Performance Award for seven consecutive years. This recognition continues to endorse the company’s ability to exceed industry standards, providing high-quality, performance-driven solutions that cater for both residential and commercial needs.
Mr Lee revealed that in 2026, LG will bring more advanced air conditioning products with artificial intelligence (AI) functionality. With WiFi use, temperatures can be controlled remotely, and it would be possible to monitor energy consumption, he said.
eongwae@ke.nationmedia.com