Introduction

To VRF:
System
Overview,
Applications,
& Savings
Opportunities
 System
Overview
 What is VRF?
• Zoning System
• Two-Pipe / Three Pipe System
• Packaged DDC Control
• Operates as a Heat Pump
• Simultaneous Cooling & Heating
• Inverter Technology / Variable Speed
Compressor
• Multiple Indoor Units – Up to 50 Indoor
Units Per System Variable
• Connected Diversity – Up to 150% Refrigerant
• Variable Capacity Indoor Units
Flow
• EMS / BMS Compatibility
• High Turn Down Ratios – Below 10% In
Many Cases
INVERTER Technology

Changes electrical frequency from 60 Hz (line Power) to a varying

range (10 Hertz to 110 Hertz – depending on the system)
 INVERTER Technology

SETPOINT
Room Temperature

VRF VRF

CONVENTIONAL

Automatically adjusts compressor speed to meet load

F
VR

Sizing flexibility with variable capacity

Strives to run long periods at lower speeds.
• Reduced / eliminated cyclic losses

Improved temperature control
• No more minimum cycle timers – no temperature
overshoot.

Time
AHRI Standard 1230 – VRF HAS ARRIVED !

3.27 VRF Multi-Split System. A split system air-conditioner or heat

pump incorporating a single refrigerant circuit, with one or
more outdoor units, at least one variable speed compressor or
an alternative compressor combination for varying the capacity
of the system by three or more steps, multiple indoor fan coil
units, each of which is individually metered and individually
controlled by a proprietary control device and common
communications network. The system shall be capable of
operating either as an air conditioner or a heat pump. Variable
refrigerant flow implies three or more steps of control on
common, inter-connecting piping.
The Evolution VRF

Example (Mitsubishi City Multi):

Japan 20+ Years, Tried and Proven!

Europe 15+ Years, depending on the country

Latin America 10+ Years, from Mitsubishi US

Bermuda 10+ Years

USA since 2002!

Simultaneous Systems Components
OUTDOOR
BC / Branch INDOOR Remote
UNIT + + +
CONTROLLER UNITS Controllers

or
WATER-SOURCE UNIT
Typical Simultaneous 2-Pipe VRF System Layout
 Changeover Systems Components

OUTDOOR INDOOR
UNIT + UNITS + CONTROLS

or
WATER-SOURCE UNIT
Typical Changeover VRF Systems Layout

HEATING

COOLING
Controls Example

Central Controllers
PC
Control

LAN
TG-2000
Hub
Power Supply

TG-2000

Power Supply

Remote Controllers
Building Management Systems

Building Management System (BMS)

BACnet LonTalk

May Be A
Hardware
Interface

Ethernet
Hub

Central Controller
Applications
& System
Capabilities
Target Commercial Applications

Universities
Multi-Story Office Buildings
Banks

Hotels

Buildings where
Churches zoning is required Historic
Renovations
Applications where sound is important
Additional Applications

Hospital Admin Areas /

MOB – Non Procedure
BANKS

RESIDENTIAL

SEACOAST PROTECTION
Cooling Diversity – 3 Types

Solar Load Occupant Load Building Use

VRF Excels at Heat Recovery Applications !

Typical Winter Loads CHILLER,

COOLING
TOWER, &
PUMPS
$

t
ea
H
Why Spend
Heat Money On
Both?

He
at BOILER
& PUMPS $
BTU/$ - VRF Makes Good Sense !
Diversity - Heating

Minimal Diversity Available !

Ambient Modification Charts
• Available capacity decreases
• Both outdoor and indoor units de-rated
• Defrost Operation
Evaluation of De-ratings Important!
• Use tools available from VRF manufacturer to
accurately access de-ratings.
Auxiliary Heating Changeover Point
• Try and maximize heat pump hours – depends on
climate.
Columbus Ohio:
90% of heating hours above 25 Deg F based on
Hourly Average Weather Data.
Evaluation of De-ratings Important !
• Use tools available from VRF manufacturer to
accurately access de-ratings.
Typical Range Of Available VRF Systems

Air Cooled
6 – 24 Ton (Simultaneous)
6 – 30 Ton (Change Over)
208/230, 460 Volt – 3 Phase
62 dB(A) Operating Sound Level

Single Phase
Water Cooled 3, 4 Ton (Change Over)

6 – 20 Ton (Simultaneous) 208/230, 1 - Phase

6 – 30 Ton (Change Over)

208/230, 460 Volt – 3 Phase
Partial Back-up Operation

Partial Backup capability with multiple / twinned units.

The remaining one or two units will perform backup operation
Twinned Units Typically Required above 12 Tons
Typical Outdoor Temperature Operating Range

NOT your typical Heat Pump Technology !

Cooling – Can be extended with low ambient options (as low as -10 F)

23 F Single Phase – Air Cooled 115 F

23 F Simultaneous & Changeover – Air Cooled 115 F

23 F Extended Heat Capacity – Air Cooled 115 F

o
-20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 CDB
-4 5 14 23 32 41 50 59 68 77 86 95 104 113 122 oFDB
Outdoor Temperature
Heating

0F Single Phase – Air Cooled 60 F

-4 F Simultaneous & Changeover – Air Cooled 60 F

-13 F Extended Heat Capacity – Air Cooled 60 F

o
-24 -13 -20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 CWB
-13 -10 -4 5 14 23 32 41 50 59 68 77 86 95 104 oFWB
Outdoor Temperature
Extended Range Heat Pump Technology

Not Your Typical Heat Pump !

120
100%
100
% Heating Capacity

87%
75%
80

60 70oF
entering
50% air temp
40

20

0
-13 -4 5 17 25 30 35 40 47
o
Outdoor Temperature FWB

Extended Rang VRF Standard VRF

 Water-source VRF Units - Changeover Systems

Heat Recovery In Water Loop Only

Cooling

Heat is PQHY
Unit “A” Cooling
recovered
between the
units within Cooling System “A” in
the water COOLING Mode
loop (refrigerant
absorbing heat)
Cooling

Heating

PQHY
Unit “B”
Heating

Heating System “B” in

HEATING Mode
(refrigerant
Heating discharging heat)
Water Circuit
 Water-source VRF Units – Simultaneous Systems

Heat Recovery In Two Locations

Heating
Heat recovery
Heat is
recovered PQRY Cooling
between the
units within
the water Cooling
loop
Indoor units
Heat recovery
Cooling

Heating

PQRY
Heating

Heating
Indoor units
Water circuit Cooling
Water-source VRF Units

Installations not allowed! NO

Directly Coupled to a Directly Coupled to

Lake or Pond Ground water
Open Loop Open Loop

NO

NO
Water-source VRF Units

Installations allowed YES

Coupled to a Lake or Pond Coupled to Ground Water

Closed Loop Closed Loop

HX

YES
HX
YES
Heat Exchanger
Heat Exchanger
Isolation
Isolation
Water-source VRF Units

Installations allowed YES

Coupled to Earth Coupled to Earth
Vertical Closed Loop Horizontal Closed Loop

YES YES

Closed Piping Loop

Closed Piping
Loop
 Indoor
Equipment
Flexibility
Indoor Unit Flexibility

 Multiple styles ranging from 6,000 to 96,000 Btu/h

 Typically single phase below 6 Nominal Tons

 Linear Expansion Valve

 Variable Capacity Operation

 Mode: Fan, Cool, Dry, Auto,

Auto Heat
 Built in or accessory condensate removal options from factory.

 Typical Ventilation Air options – most models

 Average operating sound levels around 35 dB(A) +/-

Indoor Unit Flexibility

Wall Mounted
6 - 30 MBtu/h

Ceiling Suspended
15 - 36 MBtu/h

Floor Standing
6 – 24 MBtu/h

Product Review CITY MULTI VRF

Indoor Unit Flexibility

4 – Way Large Cassette

12 - 36 MBtu/h

4 - Way Small Cassette

8 – 15 Mbtu/h

One Way Cassette

6 – 15 Mbtu/h

Product Review CITY MULTI VRF

Air Vanes – 4 Way Cassettes

Independent Vane Control

Enhanced air distribution by

Horizontal independent vane settings

Fixed

Vanes can be independently adjusted

by a remote controller
Indoor Unit Flexibility – Ducted Units

Medium Static
6 – 54 Mbth/h
High Static
15 – 96 Mbtu/h

Low Profile
15 – 24 Mbtu/h

Vertical Ducted
12 – 54 Mbtu/h

Product Review CITY MULTI VRF

Recessed Unit – St. Xavier Cathedral
Refrigerant
Piping &
Refrigerant
Leakage
Refrigerant Piping Flexibility – 2 Pipe Example

Simultaneous Simultaneous Changeover Changeover Single

PIPING LENGTH` Air Cooled Water Cooled Air Cooled Water Cooled Phase Air
2-Pipe 2-Pipe 2-Pipe 2-Pipe Cooled

984 ft.-
Total Piping Length 1,804 ft.-2,625 ft. 1,804 ft.-2,460 ft. 3,280 ft. 393 ft.
1640 ft.

Farthest Indoor unit 541 ft. 541 ft. 541 ft. 541 ft. 262 ft.

Simultaneous Air Changeover Air & Single

& Water Cooled Water Cooled
PIPING HEIGHT Phase Air
2-Pipe 2-Pipe cooled
Outdoor Unit HIGHER than Indoor Unit 164 ft.* 98 ft.
Outdoor Unit LOWER than Indoor Unit 131 ft. 65 ft.
Indoor Unit to Any BC Controller 49 ft. n/a n/a
Two Pipe Example

12 indoor-unit system – Heat Recovery

• Soft Copper BC to IU
• Reducers possible at BC
Three Pipe Example

12 indoor-unit system – Heat Recovery

• Hard copper from OU to

BS
• Reducer fittings
Refrigerant Leakage Concentration Levels

What is RCL?
 Refrigerant Concentration Limit (RCL): “the refrigerant
concentration limit, in air, determined in accordance with this
standard and intended to reduce the risks of acute toxicity
asphyxiation and flammability hazards in normally occupied,
enclosed spaces”
 RCL typically expressed as lbs/1000 ft3
Determination of RCL

Referenced Codes/Standards

International Mechanical Code
• Previously set RCL for R-410A at 10 lbs/MCF
• 2009 Revisions raises RCL to 25 lbs/MCF

ISO-5149
• ISO-5149 sets R-410A RCL as 18.7 lbs/MCF

ASHRAE 15-2007
• ASHRAE 15-2007 establishes the R-410A RCL as 25lbs/MCF
through reference to ASHRAE 34.
Critical Concentration Calculation

RCL (R410A) = 25 lb./Mcf

Refrigerant Charge (Rc) of a P72 = 23 lbs 3 oz = 23.1875 lbs
MAV = Minimum Applied Volume (cubic feet)
MAV = Rc/RCL
MAV = (23.1875 lbs)/(25 lbs/1000 cu ft)
MAV = 927.5 cu ft
Appropriate Solutions

Option 3

Option 2
Option 1

Option 1-Locate Equipment within larger space

•Ducted communicating spaces w/ no closure devices that restrict
airflow below 10% of peak airflow.
Option 2-Do not use equipment with refrigerant
Option 3-Increase room volume through the use of openings
•Door Undercuts, transfer ducts or grilles.
The Efficiencies from “VRF System Effect”

• Inverter-driven
compressors /
part load
performance !
• Variable
capacity indoor
units !
• Extended Heat
Pump (Air to Air)
Capability !
• Simultaneous
cooling and
heating !
Summary of Refrigerant Management

 Refrigerant Concentration Limit is a tool to protect

the public
 Informed and educated engineers can incorporate
necessary measures to meet the RCL.
 R410A is of lowest toxicity and is NOT combustible.
Energy Standards
& Savings
 AHRI 1230 & IEER

 AHRI Standard 1230 created a testing standard for VRF equipment above 65,000
Btu/h (below 65,000 Btu/h continues to be rated in accordance with AHRI Standard
210/240-2008)

 On January 1st, 2010, IEER superseded IPLV as the testing standard for VRF
equipment above 65,000 Btu/h

 Unlike testing VRF for IPLV (according to AHRI Standard 210/240), testing for IEER
involves actual testing at part load conditions and assigning weighted values to each
test point

 Testing VRF for IEER involves testing at four fixed conditions: 100%, 75%,
50%, & 25% load. The equipment is still not allowed to vary compressor speed
and indoor unit capacity to meet a varying load as it was designed to do

 Simultaneous Heating and Cooling Efficiency (Not Yet Tested)

 SCHE = (Heating Capacity (Btu/h) + Cooling Capacity (Btu/h)) / Total System Power
Input (Watts)
ASHRAE 90.1-2010 VRF Benchmarks
ASHRAE 90.1-2010 VRF Benchmarks
Energy Star Requirements
Energy Modeling

EnergyPro
Version 5.0
Accepted by the USGBC for
Compliance with Energy and
Atmosphere Credit 1
What Makes Energy Pro Different
Sample Building in Part Load: OA Temp 50oF
Cubicle Area 3000 BTU

Conference Elect
Room Break Room
Lobby/ 6000 BTU 3000 BTU
Waiting Room 12000 BTU 3000 BTU Janitor

6000 BTU

Open Work
Room
6000 BTU

3000 BTU Office #1 Office #2 Men Women

3000 BTU 3000 BTU

Simultaneous Load:
Cooling: 27000 BTU
Heating: 21000 BTU
PURY-P72
 What Makes Energy Pro Different

Cooling Power Input PURY-P72

7.00

72,000 BTUH
6.48 KW
6.00

5.00
Power Input KW

4.00

3.00

27,000 BTUH
2.00 2.38 KW

1.00

0.00
0 12000 24000 36000 48000 60000 72000 84000
System Load BTUH
What Makes Energy Pro Different

Outdoor Temperature Power Input Correction

(For a 68 Indoor WB Temperature)
2.4000

2.38 KW at 95oF
2.3000

2.2000

2.1000
Powe r Input K W

2.0000

1.9000 1.87 KW at 50oF

1.8000

1.7000

1.6000

1.5000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
OA Temperature FDB
What does this mean

 Getting 27,000 BTUH of cooling and 21,000 BTUH of

heating, while providing only 1.87 KW to the outdoor
unit.
 This savings cannot be realized without the ability to
model simultaneous heating and cooling.

For this scenario,

Calculated Efficiency of 25.7 EER
School Energy Modeling Results

School--Percentage Energy Cost Savings V/S Comparable Systems

Seattle

LA CM v/s VAV
CM v/s 4 Pipe
CM v/s WSHP
Dallas

Chicago
Location

NYC

Boston

Miami

Atlanta

0% 4% 7% 11% 14% 18% 21% 25% 28% 32%

Energy Savings
Office Building Energy Modeling Results

Percentage Energy Savings V/S Comparable Systems

Seattle

LA

Dallas

CM v/s 4 Pipe
Location

Chicago
CM v/s VAV
CM v/s WSHP
NYC

Boston

Miami

Atlanta

0% 4% 7% 11% 14% 18% 21% 25%

Energy Savings
Questions & Answers

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Today!
We Are Here To Help Make Your VRF
Projects Successful !