VRF Has Many Advantages

Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) is a leading-edge, globally proven HVAC technology that can help solve many HVAC challenges. Following are a few of its merits.

  • Increased Energy Efficiency — VRF systems with inverter-driven compressors can reduce energy bills up to 25 percent.
  • Reduced Costs — While initial equipment cost can be higher, VRF’s installation and operational costs are often lower. Standard controls and simpler installation save on materials and labor.
  • Delivery of Fresh Air — With advanced filters, zoning capabilities and integration with ventilation systems, VRF can help meet indoor air mandates.
  • Limited Operational Noise — VRF eliminates disruption indoors and out. Indoor units operate as quietly as 19 decibels and outdoor units are quieter than traditional systems.
  • Variable Loads Needs — VRF does an impressive job meeting spaces’ and occupants’ needs. Full-range variable capacity delivers only the amount of conditioning required. Using integrated controls and sensors, the compressor adjusts speeds to maintain the desired zone temperature.
  • Solves Comfort Issues — VRF’s zoning offers incredibly personalized comfort control, including the ability to simultaneously cool and heat from one heat recovery system.
  • Controls Multiples Spaces — VRF can integrate with third-party software. Beyond that, VRF offers a wide variety of controls options, from individual zone controllers to centralized controllers that monitor, schedule and control multiple indoor units through a web browser.
  • Minimizes Maintenance — Little maintenance is required and doesn’t require a specialized service contractor. VRF components are easily accessible.

This article originally appeared in the September 2017 issue of Spaces4Learning.

About the Author

Kevin Miskewicz is the director of Commercial Marketing with Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating. He can be reached at kmiskewicz@hvac.mea.com or 888/979-9686.

Featured

  • Shaping Campus Identity: The Crucial Role of Landscape Architecture in Campus Design

    Landscape architecture plays a crucial role in shaping the overall experience, functionality, and identity of college and university campuses. The design and layout of outdoor spaces influence everything from the interactions between students to the ease with which people navigate the campus. A thoughtfully designed campus provides not only a functional environment for daily activities but also a space that inspires academic success and fosters personal growth.

  • Education Design Showcase

    Spaces4Learning Launches 2025 Education Design Showcase

    Spaces4Learning is now accepting submissions for the 2025 Education Design Showcase! Launched in 1999, the program celebrates innovative and practical solutions in planning, design, and construction.

  • University of Kentucky Integrates New Cleaning Technology

    The University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., recently installed a new cleaning system designed to improve cooling efficiency on campus, according to a news release. The Facilities Management’s Utilities and Energy Management Unit installed new chiller tubes into two of the chillers at the university’s Central Utility Plant.

  • Oregon Institute of Technology to Construct $35M Mass Timber Residence Hall

    Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, Ore., recently announced the construction of a new, $35-million mass timber residence hall, according to college news. The facility will stand four stories, have room for 517 students, and cover 86,710 square feet to address the college’s need for more on-campus housing.