LG heat pumps review: Pricing, specs, and benefits

Air source heat pumps are much more efficient than most other heating & cooling options –  and they provide both in one system! If your current HVAC system is aging, you may be able to switch to air source heat pumps for higher efficiency, lower overall utility bills, and, depending on where you live, some extra savings through rebates and incentives. (Bonus: if you have solar, you can heat and cool your home using the sun!)

Founded in the 1950s, South Korea-based LG is a well-known name across industries, from electronics to chemicals. Until recently, they also manufactured solar panels, but in 2022 they announced they’re moving out of solar panel production while still focusing on energy storage, energy management, and other appliances. LG has a range of offerings for heating and cooling your home, and in this article, we’ll cover some of the most commonly installed options.

LG offers a wide variety of heat pump options to fill various needs at multiple price points. From standard ductless mini split systems to indoor units that can display your choice of image, LG is a great heat pump brand if you’re looking for specific aesthetic and functional capabilities. In this review, we’ll cover a range of their mini split choices and share tips for what to look for when deciding which LG heat pump might be right for your home.

Mini splits (ductless heat pump units)

A mini split heat pump is a type of air source heat pump – usually a wall-mounted ductless HVAC system that offers highly efficient heating & cooling. We’ll cover details of some of LG’s best selling heat pump lines below.

Short-run ducted heat pumps

If ductwork only runs through a small section of the house or your home has gone through a renovation, you may have a situation where you have short-run ducted heat pumps that you combine with other ductless units for the rest of the house. Short-run ducted heat pumps are available from LG in high-static and low-static models.

Ducted heat pumps

Buildings with a ducted heating and cooling system distribute air through a single central path, usually tubes in the walls made from sheet metal. LG’s Vertical AHU (Air Handler Unit) is a flexible, configurable ducted heat pump that can be installed in four different ways to best suit the space it is being used in.

Single-zone vs. multi-zone heat pumps

LG offers a range of both single- and multi-zone systems. If you’re adding heat pumps to a new addition to your home or just looking to heat a single space, LG offers options for both single- and multi-zone systems. A single-zone mini split system is ideal if you only need airflow in a single space, like an addition or room. In this case, one outdoor unit connects to one indoor unit.

With LG multi-zone systems, you can handle HVAC needs for multiple spaces, and one outdoor unit can connect to multiple indoor units. With the variety of indoor units that LG offers, you can customize your indoor units to fit your home by mixing and matching indoor unit types. We’ll cover some of these options below.

Outdoor units

LG has outdoor units available for both single-zone and multi-zone units. The outdoor unit may also be called the heat exchanger, containing a coil and fan. The fan blows outside air over the coil, and then the coil operates as a condenser when cooling or an evaporator when heating. LG’s outdoor units are equipped with LG’s Gold Fin Coating on the coil, which helps protect the unit from the elements and extend the system's operational life.

LG heat pumps are available in many varieties and configurations, making them easily customizable to your needs based on factors like the sq. ft of your house. Below, we’ll compare specs from three options of ductless LG mini splits – the type of heat pump most homeowners install. The three lines are available at different price points and styles.

Key features of LG heat pumps

LG heat pump performance

LG air source heat pumps have a few different options ranging from budget-conscious to premium. For instance, LG’s Art Cool systems might be a great option for you if you are concerned with how your heat pumps will look in your home. In addition to the Premier option listed above, they offer a Mirror line with a sleeker design and a Gallery option that allows you to disguise your heat pump as a framed picture. The various Art Cool models have slightly different SEER and HSPF numbers from the Premier option listed above.

The High Efficiency mini splits are a great choice for consumers not as concerned with visual aesthetics, offering similar capabilities to the Art Cool options but only coming in a standard white model. The Extended Piping model is a great choice for consumers whose homes require a little more flexibility in their heat pump setup.

SEER ratings and cooling performance

One performance number you’ll want to check into when comparing heat pumps is SEER, which measures the efficiency when cooling. According to the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), the efficiency of central air conditioning systems is rated by a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), meaning your heat pump is rated just as an air conditioner would be. In general, the higher the SEER, the less electricity the system needs to do its job. LG heat pumps offer good cooling efficiency, with up to a 27.5 SEER. Most heat pumps on the market range between 13 and 31 SEER.

HSPF ratings and heating performance

The other rating you’ll want to pay attention to when comparing heat pumps is the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF). The higher the HSPF rating, the more efficient a heat pump is at heating, which results in less energy used and more energy savings overall. ENERGY STAR heat pumps must have at least 8.5 HSPF, but heat pumps can range up to 14 HSPF. The heat pumps we covered above are all ENERGY STAR rated, ranging from 10.2 to 13.5 HSPF.

The LG heat pump app

LG heat pumps have a Wi-Fi-enabled app, ThinQ, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. ThinQ lets you manage temperature preferences for your heat pumps and control the specifics of your heat pump from a remote control like a phone or tablet. The ThinQ app also lets you manage other LG appliances in the same app, so if you own smart LG products like a refrigerator, range, dishwasher, washer, or dryer,  you can control them in one app. A few select models (but none of the ones we have gone into detail on in this article) cannot be operated via the ThinQ app.

Additional LG heat pump features

LG heat pump systems all come with their Gold Fin Coating, which helps protect the outdoor unit from corrosion, extending the heat pumps' life and peak operating capacity. Additionally, they have built-in automatic dehumidifying capabilities, monitoring and controlling both the temperature and humidity levels in a room.

The Art Cool line provides the most options for consumers regarding aesthetics, making it simple to blend your heat pumps in with the rest of your home. The Art Cool Gallery disguises your heat pump as a picture frame where you can put anything you’d like. The Art Cool Mirror comes in a sleeker design than other LG models and a mirrored gray finish, while the Art Cool Premier is one of LG’s highest efficiency and least obtrusive designs, although it is only available in a white finish.

LG heat pumps range in price, depending on the specific line or model you purchase. In addition to the cost of the equipment, you’ll have to account for installation costs since heat pumps require specific training, running refrigerant lines, and electrical work, so you’ll want a trusted, licensed, experienced contractor to ensure your heat pumps are correctly installed. Other factors may also increase your heat pump installation costs, such as needing ducting installed, upgrading your home’s electrical panel, or additional work to run lines, depending on your home’s floor plan.

You can work with your heat pump contractor to understand your home’s specific needs and costs, as well as any rebates or loans available in your area. Beginning in 2023, the Inflation Reduction Act gives consumers a 30 percent tax credit of up to $2,000 on heat pumps, as well as up to $8,000 in state-administered rebates depending on your location and income. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the offerings in your state and how best to take advantage of them when purchasing your heat pump system.

Early heat pump technology wasn’t known for heating in extreme cold, but technology has greatly advanced, and many heat pumps now work down to -10 degrees. LG heat pumps are confirmed to work down to as low as -13 ºF on the Art Cool Premier model and -4 ºF on most other models, thanks in part to their variable-speed compressors, powered by inverters.

Any LG heat pump systems purchased from and installed by a licensed HVAC contractor in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico have the following warranty to the original owner of the heat pump system: a seven-year warranty for the compressor, a five-year warranty for all other parts.

Additionally, if you get your LG heat pump system installed by an LG Pro Dealer, your warranty increases to 10 years for parts and the compressor. Your heat pumps must also be registered within 60-days of installation to qualify for this warranty coverage.

If you live in a cold climate like New England, you may be keeping an alternate heating system as a backup, like a natural gas furnace, for when outdoor temperatures drop in the dead of winter. While most heat pumps work in low temperatures, they do lose efficiency below a certain temperature, so you may benefit from increased energy efficiency if you use a smart thermostat (sometimes called integrated controls for heat pumps as well) to automatically switch to your backup heating source at a set temperature.

LG heat pumps are compatible with LG smart thermostats, so you’ll need the LG Smart AC Controller adapter to manage your heat pumps most efficiently in winter. You can also remotely control your LG heat pump with the LG ThinQ app available for smartphones. LG heat pumps can be connected with smart thermostats like the Nest, but this setup requires a professional and may result in the loss of some of the finer points of functionality of your heat pumps.

Working with a trusted heat pump contractor is important, not just to ensure it’s installed properly to maximize your system’s efficiency, but before that, you’ll want an expert to guide you with the design and sizing of your heat pump system. An oversized system will cost you more money to install and reduce efficiency, while an undersized system won’t provide enough support to adequately heat and cool your home.

Your heat pump contractor will help you determine the number of LG heat pumps you’ll need based on the size of your home and living space, location, temperature preferences, and insulation quality.

LG is a trusted brand name across multiple industries and products. With their range of options for both ducted and ductless heating and cooling and different levels from more affordable to premium, there is very likely an LG heat pump system that will suit your needs. For consumers looking for options when it comes to aesthetics, LG is a top choice — whether you want to get as custom as the Art Cool Gallery or keep it low profile with the Art Cool Premier. Your best bet is to speak with a contractor near you to learn what options might work best for you when designing your heat pump system and see which Panasonic heat pumps could cover your needs.

You can save even more money on heating and cooling by powering your home with solar panels – the EnergySage Marketplace helps you compare several quotes from pre-screened installers to find a solar system that fits your needs at the right price. If you’re planning to install heat pumps or already using them at your home, share that information when getting estimates so your installer can help you build the right size system. This way, you’ll be able to heat and cool your home with the free, renewable energy that you generate.