VRF or Variable Refrigerant Flow air conditioning is a direct expansion type of air conditioning system where one outdoor condensing unit is connected via piping with multiple indoor units to provide heating or cooling to the internal spaces.
Its ultimate purpose is to regulate the internal room air temperature and comfort levels effectively and efficiently, and in modern advanced VRF systems it can offset heating requirements by using otherwise wasted heat from cooling areas.
The system intelligently modulates the flow of a refrigerant through the pipework depending upon the capacity requirements of each zone within the building.
Today’s commercial buildings are increasingly airtight and filled with heat-generating office equipment and lighting, which presents a challenge for anyone trying to maintain a stable and comfortable internal environment.
This makes VRF systems ideal for hotels, offices, retail and leisure facilities.
Katie Mathers Marketing Executive
Why are sustainable cooling options so important in today’s world?
In the UK, buildings account for over 40% of our carbon emissions, and nearly 90% of this is generated from heating and cooling systems.
The use of more energy efficient equipment helps to ensure that operational costs are kept to a minimum for building owners, and the carbon footprint of operating the building and therefore the impact on the environment is reduced – helping us all adhere to corporate and social responsibility directives.
As part of the global roadmap to achieve net zero carbon, ambitious standards are being set for the energy performance of new and existing buildings.
As a result, the UK needs to develop, adapt and embrace cleaner and greener technologies.
R32 refrigerant
City Multi VRF provides simultaneous heating and cooling with the benefit of heat recovery. By moving energy where it’s needed, power input is reduced by up to 30%, offering flexibility, operability, comfort and control.
City Multi R32 VRF and HVRF units are ideal for customers looking to future-proof their air conditioning in line with the next stage of the F-Gas Regulations and the phase down of high Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants.
R32 is now the refrigerant of choice for the majority of air conditioning systems because it offers a lower GWP (675) than R410A (2088) whilst complying with the latest legislation. Using these systems enables customers to enhance their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) with equipment that minimises the effect on climate change.
R32 is a single component refrigerant, meaning it is easier to reuse and to recycle. It is also relatively inexpensive to produce, is easier to handle because it doesn’t separate and utilises familiar technology, keeping costs similar.
Features and benefits of VRF air conditioning
VRF systems can incorporate multiple indoor units, which can be located throughout a building as ceiling cassettes, wall mounted or floor units, or concealed ducted units.
The outdoor condensers can be installed in modules meaning that they can fit in spaces around a building or rooftop to offer design flexibility – which can allow for installation to fit the construction or refurbishment of different zones in a building.
With advanced control logic, each system can provide optimum levels of comfort for individual spaces. The highly efficient indoor units can meet the cooling and heating needs of each area in a building, whilst also recovering heat and maximising the overall efficiency of the system.
Modern VRF units are also designed to tackle the challenges of our modern urban environment, offering low noise levels and a range that enables outdoor units to be discretely installed out of the line of sight.
This makes VRF systems ideal for commercial properties such as hotels, offices, retail and leisure facilities.
Are specific properties or commercial buildings best suited to VRF Air Conditioning?
Offices
Lush Ltd is best known for its sweet-smelling, handmade cosmetic and bath products and a highly ethical approach to business life. So, when it came to the comfort of their staff in a new office, energy efficiency was a key priority. Lush decided to bring together multiple contractors for the different elements and for its new air conditioning system, choosing Modern Facilities Services Ltd to lead on the installation of City Multi VRF heat recovery system to serve the entire office area.
Across the space, 12 indoor units have been fitted to one floor standing unit. The beauty of the City Multi system is that excess heat from an area being cooled can be moved to other parts of the building that need heating, helping improve the overall efficiency.
Mixed Use
A former tram station in Bristol became the first building in the UK to benefit from large scale R32 air conditioning. The Art Deco building in Gloucester Road was originally a main station for electric trams and is now occupied by one of the largest environmental business networks in the UK – Future Economy Networks.
The F-Gas Regulations and the phase down of refrigerants with high global warming potential (GWP) is affecting all air conditioning systems, with the industry transitioning to R32, which has a significantly lower GWP than previous R410A systems.
Future Leap is carbon neutral in its operation and has incorporated lots of sustainable technologies and solutions, including a carpet made from disused ghost fishing nets that have been reclaimed from the bottom of the ocean. With the installation of the latest R32 system, the Hub is also able to deliver future-proof heating and cooling, regardless of the weather.
Hotel
London’s renowned Strand Palace Hotel sits in the heart of London and has been welcoming guests since 1909. Situated within walking distance of some of the most famous music theatres in London, combined with its quirky contemporary décor, the hotel offers guests a high level of comfort and experience during their stay.
After a period of incredibly hot weather, the Strand Palace knew that modernising its heating and cooling systems was fundamental to maintaining a quality experience for guests. Ensuring high levels of energy efficiency, was also a factor considered during this process.
The hotel chose the innovative Hybrid VRF air conditioning system to provide cooling and comfort throughout its site. HVRF offers a perfect solution, with its unique 2-pipe system allowing for simultaneous heating and cooling with heat recovery. A central controller allows heating and cooling to be switched off in individual rooms, while keeping other rooms at the optimum temperature. This saves energy as there is less work to do when occupants turn the systems back on.
Why is Mitsubishi Electric seen as the market leader in VRF systems?
Tough government regulations and stringent environmental targets on carbon emissions mean building owners are now demanding future-proof technologies that reduce running costs, improve indoor air quality and provide optimal energy efficiencies.
Our answer to these challenging demands is the City Multi VRF and Hybrid VRF air conditioning systems.
First developed over 30 years ago, City Multi is now the market leader, with a comprehensive range of systems that continues to grow through smart innovation. City Multi delivers complete flexibility of design and installation. With intelligent, centralised control, these systems can be used in a wide variety of applications such as offices, hotels, hospitals, retail spaces and public buildings.
City Multi R32 VRF and HVRF units are ideal for customers looking to future-proof their air conditioning in line with the next stage of the F-Gas Regulations and the phase down of high Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants.
Katie Mathers is Marketing Executive
