top of page

How to use VRF/VRV to improve occupant comfort, health, safety, wellbeing, collaboration and engagement in built environment in 195 countries in 2024?

Sep 8

10 min read

0

0

0

·       How to use VRF/VRV to improve occupant comfort, health, safety, wellbeing, collaboration and engagement in built environment in 195 countries in 2024?

·       How will I use BMS/BMCS/BAS, HVAC and VRF/VRV to bankrupt 8 continents and 195 countries in 2024?

·       How will I use VRF/VRV to bankrupt landlords in built environment in 195 countries in 2024?

·       How will I use VRF/VRV to bankrupt landlords in built environment in 195 countries in 2024?

·       How will I use VRF/VRV to create value in built environment in 195 countries in 2024?

 

42 years ago, when Daikin unveiled its trademarked VRV air conditioning system, becoming a global pioneer of variable refrigerant volume control. However, since Daikin trademarked VRV, Industry & competitors had to name such products – hence the commonly used abbreviation VRF. A VRF system regulates refrigerant flow to match the heating and cooling demands of different zones, allowing for individualized temperature control and energy efficiency. In short, it enables end users to independently manage multiple air conditioning zones simultaneously. VRFs first came into use in 1982 when Daikin invented the variable refrigerant volume control technology. VRF technology works by adjusting the refrigerant volume within a system to precisely meet the requirements of a building. It utilizes the minimum energy necessary to maintain the temperatures that have been set, switching off when no occupants are detected in a room. This versatility helps reduce energy costs. With the capability of connecting large numbers of air conditioning units to one single outdoor unit, VRF operates similarly to a multi-split system. Each indoor unit determines its required capacity based on the current indoor temperature and the desired temperature set by the remote control. The total demand from all indoor units then dictates how the outdoor unit adjusts the refrigerant volume and temperature, ensuring that only the necessary cooling or heating is supplied. 

VRF systems offer higher efficiency than traditional HVAC systems due to their ability to modulate refrigerant flow and compressor speed based on demand, resulting in reduced energy consumption. VRF systems allow individualized temperature control in different zones and the ability to heat and cool simultaneously. Traditional HVAC systems generally offer less flexibility in zoning and temperature control with a large variety of indoor units. VRF systems often require less ductwork and space than traditional HVAC systems, making them easier to install.

While initial costs for VRF systems may be relatively high, their long-term energy savings and reduced maintenance needs often offset these costs over time.  VRF systems may require specialized servicing, potentially increasing long-term maintenance costs. However, their advanced technology can lead to fewer breakdowns and repairs than traditional HVAC systems.

VRF systems really come into their own when precise zoning and individualized temperature control are required – whether that’s in large commercial buildings, multi-family residential complexes, or educational and healthcare settings.

Outside of commercial applications, multi-family residential buildings have increasingly adopted VRF systems because they provide independent climate control for each unit, enhancing tenant satisfaction and energy efficiency, including villas & townhouses. In addition, educational institutions such as schools and universities, as well as healthcare facilities like hospitals and clinics, benefit from the zoning capabilities of VRF systems. Finally, you will also find VRF systems in data centers, where keeping servers cool is critical for sustained performance.

Unlike split AC equipment, VRF allows multiple indoor units to run on the same system, which is designed differently depending on the application. VRF systems are considered either a heat pump system or a heat recovery system, which can heat and cool simultaneously. VRF systems obtain their high efficiency through the use of inverter compressors. Inverter systems allow the compressor to ramp up or down based on the needs within each space. A non-inverter system ramps up the compressor at full capacity all the time. Essentially it’s either on or off. With inverter systems operating at lower speeds and capacity, the efficiency gains can be substantial.

 

VRF and VRV terms refer to the same technology. VRV is a trademarked term that stands for variable refrigerant volume. An air conditioning manufacturer sparked this innovation 40 years ago, and VRF refers to the general technology. In a VRF system, the refrigerant passes through condenser units to indoor units, cutting down on the need for extensive ductwork and air handlers. The smaller pipes make it a bit easier to retrofit in older buildings than traditional HVAC systems.

 

As technology advances, previous limitations are disappearing. VRF systems can now be an ideal choice for commercial buildings and residential homes.

 

Removing ducts from the equation is part of the increased energy efficiency. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Saver reports that more than 30% of energy consumption could be due to losses of cool air through ducts.

There are several types of VRF systems : heat recovery or heat pump, two-pipe or three-pipe, and air-cooled or water-cooled.

A three-pipe VRF heat recovery system enables users to heat one zone while simultaneously cooling another. Three-pipe systems can be useful for facility managers of buildings with mixed temperature needs who are striving to reduce energy consumption.

A VRF heat pump system typically uses two pipes and can also heat and cool but not at the same time.

Heat Pump VRF is a two-pipe system that allows heating or cooling in all the indoor units but not simultaneously. This means that when cooling mode is selected, all the indoor units connected to that system provide cooling. On the other hand,  Heat Recovery VRF systems are three-pipe systems that can provide heating to one space and cooling to another at the same time. These pipes consist of a suction gas pipe, discharge gas pipe, and a liquid pipe. The additional 3rd pipe enables the system to carry the waste thermal energy of an indoor unit (produced from the main mode, whether cooling or heating) to the rest of the system. 

Heat Recovery VRF provides simultaneous cooling and heating by transferring exhaust heat (or waste heat) from a zone being cooled to a zone that requires heating. If an office space is being cooled, the excess energy being removed is transferred into a room that requires heating. Apply this to a whole floor or even an entire building and Heat Recovery type VRF increases air conditioning efficiency greatly and can lower energy usage 

To achieve this, a Cooling & Heating Change Over Box or CH-Box is integrated into the Heat Recovery VRF system. CH-Boxes are made of valves that can direct the right-temperature refrigerant to the indoor unit demanding it. In other terms, the CH-Boxes help coordinate the cooling or heating as required by the indoor units. When selecting a CH-Box, low noise level in indoor spaces is a must, so our CH-Box can be in strategic locations thanks to the piping design flexibility.

Mitsubishi Electric City Multi VRF is patented and unique Variable Refrigerant Flow air conditioning system that allows for a vast range of applications from commercial offices to apartment buildings. Its versatile design allows connection to a variety of indoor unit models and capacities. City Multi VRF is available as heat pumps and heat recovery range.

VRFs are typically installed with an air conditioner inverter which adds a DC inverter to the compressor in order to support variable motor speed and thus variable refrigerant flow rather than simply perform on/off operation. By operating at varying speeds, VRF units work only at the needed rate allowing for substantial energy savings at load conditions. Heat recovery VRF technology allows individual indoor units to heat or cool as required, while the compressor load benefits from the internal heat recovery. Energy savings of up to 55% are predicted over comparable unitary equipment. This also results in greater control of the building's interior temperature by the building's occupants.

VRFs come in two system formats, two pipe and three pipe systems. In a heat pump two pipe system all of the zones must either be all in cooling or all in heating. Heat Recovery (HR) systems have the ability to simultaneously heat certain zones while cooling others; this is usually done through a three pipe design, with the exception of Mitsubishi, Carrier and LG whose systems are able to do this with a two pipe system using a branch circuit (BC) controller to the individual indoor evaporator zones. In this case the heat extracted from zones requiring cooling is put to use in the zones requiring heating. This is made possible because the heating unit is functioning as a condenser, providing sub-cooled liquid back into the line that is being used for cooling. While the heat recovery system has a greater initial cost, it allows for better zoned thermal control of a building and overall greater efficiencies. In heat recovery VRF systems, some of the indoor units may be in cooling mode while others are in heating mode, reducing energy consumption.

VRF systems may be air or water cooled. If air cooled, VRF condensing units are exposed to outside air and may be outdoors, and condensing units are the size of large refrigerators, since they need to contain a large condenser (heat exchanger) which has a large surface area to transfer heat to the surrounding air, because air doesn't have a high heat capacity and has a low density, volumetric thermal capacity and thermal conductivity thus needing to transfer heat into a large amount of air volume at once. If water cooled, the condensing units are placed indoors and are much smaller and cooled with water by a closed type or circuit cooling tower or dry cooler

Heat pump technology is currently used in a lot of different products, but the primary one you already have is in your kitchen: your fridge. Heat pumps are a very efficient way to move heat from inside the fridge to the outside, so it cools your food and keeps it safe for longer.

 

The other common heat pump product you might have is an air conditioner, which will often have an outdoor unit (a compressor) which cools your indoor space by pumping chilled refrigerant to the indoor wall unit where it soaks up heat from the indoor air, and the cooled air is then blown back into the room.

 

Many states are offering rebates for heat pump hot water systems

 

The warm refrigerant is then pumped back to the outdoor unit where the heat is blown into the outdoor air. The outdoor unit chills the refrigerant again and the cycle keeps on going.

 

Other less common products in Australia are heat pump dryers and heat pump hot water systems, both of which are quite expensive now. But many states are offering rebates for heat pump hot water systems, which will no doubt lead to an increased uptake over the next 20 years.

There are a variety of different types of heat pump technology, but these are primarily related to where they source heat from: air, earth or water. 

Air source heat pumps move heat from the air around them and put it into a source, and a common example would be heat pump hot water systems. This type of technology is the most common type in residential Australia and is used in split-system reverse-cycle air conditioners as well, where the heat is moved from inside a building to the outside, or vice versa – moving heat from outside the house to inside.

Less common in residential Australia, this heat pump (also known as a geothermal heat pump) moves heat from the ground into a source by laying cables or other collector type arrays to gather heat from the surrounding soil, either in shallow trenches or a deep hole in the ground

Unlike electrical resistance and gas burning options, a heat pump does not generate heat. Instead it uses compressed and expanded refrigerant gas to capture heat and move it to another space.

The reverse-cycle air conditioner is a great example of heat pump technology. For heating your home, heat pump technology gathers heat from outside and warms it to a higher temperature, then moves it from one place to another. It can also be reversed to extract heat from inside your house and cool it in the process. That’s how your reverse cycle air conditioner keeps you cool in summer.

Heat pumps can span quite a range in price, from as little as $1,500 to up to $10,000. Most fall somewhere in the middle between $4,000 and $7,000, but the price will depend on the size of home and type of heat pump.

The average lifespan of a heat pump spans about 15 years. In coastal regions they can last closer to 10 years while in moderate climates than can last closer to 20 to 25 years.

Air conditioners typically have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years, but the lifespan can vary by climate and how well the unit is maintained.

A heat pump typically needs maintenance once a year by a professional, or twice a year if you use it during all four seasons. Homeowners can:

  • Check the heat pump for snow or ice buildup in winter.

  • Remove leaves and debris from around the heat pump.

  • Make sure the pump remains elevated above the ground and away from any leaky gutters.

  • Change or clean filters as needed.

  • Keep registers open.

  • Clean dirty outdoor coils.

A typical maintenance checklist a service technician uses will include:

  • Checking all ducts, filters, blowers and the indoor coil

  • Checking air flow

  • Checking refrigerant charge and any leaks

  • Checking electrical terminals

  • Lubing motors and checking belts

  • Inspecting controls and thermostat sensors

You should inspect your air conditioner in the spring and the fall to make sure it remains in working order. It’s best to have a professional inspect your air conditioner in the spring before you need to use it. Some things you can do on your own include:

  • Replacing air filters monthly and every other month

  • Cleaning coils

  • Checking drain line and drain pan

  • Checking for loose electrical connections and check controls

  • Checking air registers and ducts for cleanliness

A professional technician will check:

  • Thermostat settings

  • Electrical connections

  • Lube belts and fans

  • Clear drain line

  • Air filters

  • Refrigerant leaks and recharge refrigerant

Air conditioning is a process that involves the removal of heat and humidity from indoor air to provide a cooler and more comfortable environment. It operates through a system comprising various components, regardless of the specific design of the air conditioner. The process starts with a compressor, which elevates the pressure and temperature of a chemical refrigerant. This heated gas is then sent to the condenser coil, where it undergoes a phase change into a liquid state, releasing heat to the outdoor environment. The now-liquid refrigerant travels indoors to the evaporator coil, where it evaporates, absorbing heat from the indoor air. A fan blows air across the cold evaporator coil, cooling it, and distributing the cooled air throughout the space. Meanwhile, the heated refrigerant gas is returned outside to the compressor, and the cycle repeats until the desired indoor temperature is achieved. Essentially, air conditioning works by transferring heat from inside to outside, creating a cooler indoor atmosphere.

Heat pumps and air conditioners function similarly in cooling mode. However, a heat pump offers the additional capability of heating your home. If you reside in an extremely warm climate where heating is not a necessity, an air conditioner might be the preferable choice.

·       I have submerged prisons, detention centres, refugee, correctional centres and criminals on earth in Yagna in January 2023.

·       I have bankrupted, submerged Dubai and Saudi Arabia on earth in Yagna in January 2023.

·        I have burnt Yuval Noah Harari, historians, democracy, AI, Fake Humans, Disinformation, Information, Internet, Technology, dictatorship, and Nexus in Yagna in January 2023.

·       I have burnt 1.4 billion Indian dogs and pigs in Yagna in January 2023.