COMPARISON OF DX 1:1 DUCTED SPLIT UNITS (Vs) VRF SYSTEM

Project - Villa

Description DX 1:1 (On/Off) DX 1:1 (Inverter) VRF System Unit Remarks

Commercial Analysis
Approx.. Cooling Capacity 58 58 58 kW
- Ducted Split units minimum capacity is 1.3 TR
actual. 10% deriation is considerd from nominal
Proposed Actual capacity @ capacity . This leads to increase in the connected
58 58 58 KW
115 deg.F cooling load.
- VRF system has indoor units starts from 0.5TR
(Act).
- VRF System power consumption is less because
of advanced technology, inverter compressors and
Total Power input (kW) @ 115
25 26 21 KW load matching to the design.
deg.F (Approx.)
- The total power required for DX units is more
than 30% than VRF system.
Ducted Split units have equal no. of Indoor &
outdoor units where as VRF system one outdoor
No.of Outdoor units 11 11 1 No's
will be connected to multiple indoor units (up to
62 Nos.)

MEP Contractor Cost

- VRF equipment includes Indoor, Outdoor,
AC Equipment Cost (Approx.) 24,744 29,693 36,291 AED
Remote controller and Y Branches.
- In 1:1 Ducted Splits - 11 sets of copper pipe
Installation Cost including
and Power, control cabling risers.
Ducting, Piping, Wiring 32,992 32,992 28,043 AED
- In VRF - 1 sets. of copper pipe and control
(Approx.)
cabling risers between ODU to IDU.
Total AC Contractor Cost 57,736 62,685 64,334 AED

Client Electrical and

Infrastructure Cost
- Ducted split units needs 11 Power cables from
Cabling + Cable Tray Cost from
Main DB to the roof.
Main DB in each Apt to the 6,600 6,600 1,000 AED
- VRF needs only 1. This reduces the length of the
outdoor unit isolator on roof
power cables and cable tray drastically.

ELCB and UV relay in the Main - 11 Nos. ELCB + UV relay for Ducted Split units.
5,500 5,500 800 AED
DB - 1 Nos. ELCB + UV relay for VRF.

Cost to the client for providing

11 Nos. Isolators for Ducted Split units against
outdoor unit isolator (Weather 2,200 2,200 400 AED
1 Nos. for VRF.
proof)
Cost to the Client for providing 11 Nos. foundation blocks for Ducted Split units
3,300 3,300 500 AED
Foundation blocks against 01 Nos. for VRF.
Total Client Electrical and
17,600 17,600 2,700 AED
Infrastructure cost

Connection fee to DEWA - Initial connection fee to Authority for connecting

37,116 39,590 31,500 AED
(AED 1500 / KW) power to Building transformer from Substation.

The capital cost for DX units is more than

Total Initial Cost (A) 112,452 119,875 98,534 AED
15% of VRF units.

More number of outdoor units in Ducted

Annual Maintenance (Parts
5,500 5,500 1,250 AED Split system since maintenance cost is
+ Labour) Per Year (B)
more.
Total Working Hours
3,600 3,600 3,600 hours
(hrs/annum)
Operational Electrical cost 42 fils / kWh incl Fuel surcharge for top most
16,836 17,958 12,701 AED
per year (TOTAL ) slab.
Total Opex (AMC +
Electrical consumption
22,336 23,458 13,951 AED
charges per year (OWNER)
(C )
Life Span 15 15 15 Years
Operation and Maintenance
335,038 351,873 209,262 AED
Cost for OWNER 15 Years
Total life cycle cost 447,490 471,749 307,796 AED
Technical Analysis
Humidity is a major concern. High humidity may
Feature is available
lead to fungus formation. Therefore it becomes
Humidity control Not Available Not Available Each Ducted unit will have
important to run FAHU, which is connected to
Humidity Controller in built
Building owners DB.

Entire Villa units can be controlled from Mobile

phone wihtout additional cost.
Wifi/ Mobile controller Not Available Not Available Standard accessory
Multiple people (up to 32 ) can have access in
Mobile for the Villa AC units

Can be set VIP mode for priority cooling for

VIP mode Not Available Not Available Available for priority cooling
selected indoor units in VRF system

Demand control function

available in VRF to reduce the
Demand control function Not Available Not Available operating electrical power for
the common area (Building
owner Bill)

Outdoor unit condensor fan will rotate opposite

Intelligent Auto Self Cleaning
Not Available Not Available Standard Feature direction for 10 sec whenever the machine starts
In Outdoor units
to blow out the accumulated dust particles in the
outdoor unit
Outdoor Units cross-section
11 units needs to placed on the 11 units needs to placed on the
area on the roof (Excl service Only one outdoor unit Sq.mt
roof. So more area utilized roof. So more area utilized
space)

Compressor Type On/off Inverter DC Inverter Scroll

Simplicity simple simple simple

Easy to commision - The

Outdoor can be connected to
Easy to commision - Manual Easy to commision - Manual
Laptop through wire or
Commissioning and doesn’t need skilled and doesn’t need skilled
Bluetooth to get all the
technician. technician.
important parameters. Need
Skilled technician.

Easy to design - Limited

Easy to design - Limited
components needs to be
designed.
Design - Ducted Splits - Done by AC
supplier.
- Pipe and Insulation -
recommended by AC supplier.
BMS Compatibility Yes / Not Required
Easy to design - Limited
components needs to be
designed.
- Ducted Splits - Done by AC
supplier.
- Pipe and Insulation -
recommended by AC supplier.
Yes / Not Required
components needs to be
designed.
- VRF equipment - software
selection done by VRF
manufacturer.
- Pipe and Insulation -
recommended by VRF
manufacturer.
Yes / Not mandatory

Various Central control options

Whole Air Conditioning System can be monitored
Central controlling of Possible only through Simple Possible only through Simple available including remote
and controlled through Internet and Mobile
Multiple units. central controller central controller monitoring through Internet &
Application.
smart phone control.

In view of above, the VRF system is more energy efficient at lower CAPEX and OPEX; hence recommended.
RECOMMENDATION Apart from that, there will be savings in the power Infrastructure cost (RMU+Transformer+LV Panel) due to lower
connected load. The roof design will be cleaner and less noise at pool deck level anticipated.

Notes:
1) The above prices are as based on the current pricing. The prices are subject to change on yearly basis.
2) The above cost for the Installation is tentative and subject to change depending on the piping and ducting layout.
3) The connected load assumed is only for the AC equipment as we didn't have the electrical load for other equipments.