You’re probably familiar with the terms furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and air conditioners, at least you’ve heard of them. A variable refrigerant flow system is something completely foreign to most, but your building could be missing out. These are powerful, effective, customizable, and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems that can offer a quick return on investment. If you’re interested in learning more about VRF technology and how you can benefit from it, then continue reading this blog.
History of VRF systems
VRF systems are relatively new to the United States. These systems were first invented by the Japanese HVAC company Daikin back in 1982. In Japan, 50% of midsize office buildings and 33% of large office spaces utilize this system. It made its way here in the early 2000s, mainly as an affordable way to heat and cool commercial buildings.
How Does a VRF System Work?
The technology behind VRF systems is incredibly complex but think of them as an enhanced version of ductless mini-splits. VRF systems use heat pumps or heat recovery systems to provide powerful heating and cooling for all indoor and outdoor units without the use of air ducts.
With a VRF system, your building will have multiple indoor units utilized by a single outdoor condensing unit, either with a heat pump or heat recovery system. The main difference between the two is that the latter can provide simultaneous heating and cooling. The outdoor unit has compressors with inverter-driven fans, which means their speed varies by adjusting the frequency of the power supply. The amount of refrigerant delivered by the compressor is dependant on the rate. When the indoor unit sends a demand to the outdoor unit, the outdoor unit delivers the specific amount of refrigerant to the individual indoor units. VRF technology can perform at a high capacity without the use of ducts, which is one of its many advantages.
Advantages of a VRF system
- Customized heating and cooling - In conventional HVAC systems, you’ll find that the only options are on or off. VRF systems can heat and cool different zones within a building simultaneously and occupants can customize the temperature settings.
- Flexible design - The product comes in a multitude of types and sizes, which means it can fit any application. You can find sleek and compact equipment, so if you have limited space, this could be an excellent choice.
- Runs at a low volume - VRF systems are very quiet and won’t disturb building occupants when it’s running, unlike older HVAC technology.
- Easy installation - Since the units are generally compact and weigh less than equipment with ducts, installation is a breeze! You won’t need to call in the big cranes for rooftop placements either since most can fit in service elevators. We know that this is especially important for businesses that need to resume normal operations quickly.
- Energy-efficient - These systems are up to 30% more efficient than conventional HVAC systems. They provide energy savings by the varied compressor speed and only delivering the required temperature. Additionally, you won’t experience energy loss through ductwork since it doesn’t require any.
Final thoughts
A VRF system will provide superior comfort, energy savings, design flexibility, and much more. We understand that upgrading your climate control system is a significant investment, but you don’t need to worry. Our trained team at Del-Air Mechanical is here to make sure you receive the best possible level of service so you are completely comfortable. We’ll make sure to inspect your property, guide you every step of the way, and help you get the most of your HVAC system.
Find out if the VRF system is the right fit for your business or building by contacting us online or calling us at (865) 205-9929.
