VRV = Variable Refrigerant Volume
VRF = Variable Refrigerant Flow
They are essentially the same, but, the term VRV is copyrighted to Daikin. For example a system manufactured by Daikin may be called a VRV, but, a similar system manufactured by Mitsubishi is a VRF system.
The name VRV derives from this technology that is called “variable refrigerant volume.”
The VRV system is a multi-split type air conditioning system for the commercial building sector that uses variable refrigerant flow control, developed by Daikin in the early 1980’s to provide customers with the ability
to maintain individual space control, as well as floor of a building.
The precise individual control and inverter technology minimize energy consumption to deliver optimum energy savings.
This technology circulates only the minimum amount of refrigerant needed at any one time and enables individual climate control of air conditioning zones.
The outdoor units are of modular design and with a wide selection of indoor units, ensure system designs are ideally suited to the environmental spaces where they are installed.
The system can enable individual climate control settings for each space to provide comfort for the individuals within a commercial working environment.
Up to 64 indoor units can be coupled up to one outdoor unit with large allowances for piping lengths and level differences can provide flexible layouts.
VRV/VRF systems can be of the Cooling only, Heat pumping and Heat recovery type systems.
On Heat pump VRV/VRF models, indoor units can be in either mode, but, all must be in the same mode if served, by the same outdoor unit.
The Heat pump Recovery or simultaneous mode systems provide both heating and cooling from the same outdoor unit and thus uses this technology most effectively.
Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) or Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) air-conditioning systems are an extremely energy efficient means of precisely regulating the temperature within a commercial buildings.
More often than not, the rooms or zones within such a building will need to operate at different temperatures and times. The cooling and heat requirements of these spaces can change throughout the day, possible due to varying occupancy,
heat from office equipment and lighting, fluctuations in outdoor temperatures as well as the position of the sun and solar heat gains.
The combined effects of these internal and external influences can often mean that some areas of the building require cooling, while simultaneously other areas of the same building require heating to maintain a relatively constant and
comfortable internal working environment
A well designed VRV/VRF system will typically serve areas known to have opposing heating and cooling loads and can, therefore, redistribute excess heat from areas that require cooling to those areas that require heating as more often
or not, the rooms or zones within a building will need to operate at differing temperatures.
The Heat recovery VRV/VRF refrigerant systems deliver the ultimate in energy efficiencies, achieving a SCOP/SEER in excess of 5.0
VRF/VRV air-conditioning systems also benefit from being modular and flexible in design. Multiple outdoor units can be joined together to increase the overall system capacity and, therefore, increase the heat recovery.
The indoor units come in multiple types and sizes making them suitable for most applications. Systems can be so engineered to minimise or even totally remove the requirements for air distribution ductwork, making them cost effective to
implement and easier to install where there is limited space.
VRV/VRF communication control systems, generally consist of a two wired cable, chained from the outdoor to all indoor units, creating an internal daisy chain, closed loop network, which is an essential part of the control
system of a VRV/VRF installation.
Each indoor unit is controlled by its own wired control panel, while there are some possibilities for wireless remote as well as centralizes controllers, enabling controlling of all indoor units from one location
or Business Management System, (BMS).
The centralized controller can also be connected to the internet, so control of the building air-conditioning system can be operated remotely to the building.
The cost of installation of the above system type can vary widely. This could be due to the complexity of the installation, units used and quantity.
This type of air –conditioning system can range from approximately £10,000 upwards, dependant on manufacturer, capacity of equipment, as well as on site installation requirements.
Normally would take between 1 and 10 weeks to install and commission the complete system.
