VRF Heat Pump Systems for Business Premises

VRF heat pump systems are an increasingly popular option for business premises of all shapes and sizes.

Because no two business premises are the same, specifying a heating system needs to be carefully considered to deliver the best possible comfort and energy efficiency.

Size, heat loss, hours of operation and other building management systems will all be important.

Depending on your type of business you might use different zones, rooms and communal spaces at different times of the day, each with specific heating or cooling requirements.

The benefits of VRF heat pump systems

Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) equipment is compact, making it ideal for smaller spaces, and a large area to house your heating and cooling equipment won’t be needed. VRF systems effectively keep your business premises comfortable while using significantly less energy, helping you to keep operating costs down.

A VRF system can identify the requirements for each zone of your building to deliver precise amounts of refrigerant to each air handling unit, eliminating troublesome cold or hot spots. They provide more consistent comfort within your office building or commercial space, ensuring you have happier, healthier, and more productive employees.

VRF heat pumps

VRF systems can serve multiple zones in your building, responding to differing heating and cooling requirements.

In contrast to conventional air or water HVAC systems, VRF systems manage the amount of refrigerant sent to each zone according to your settings and outside conditions. They will efficiently deliver refrigerant in exact amounts where it is needed.

Multiple indoor units can operate at the same time in heating or cooling modes while connected to a single outdoor unit. Ductless heat pumps (DHP) units can be integrated into a larger VRF system.

Types of VRF system

There are two system formats; two-pipe and three-pipe systems. In two-pipe systems all the zones will be either cooling or heating. When the indoor units are in cooling mode, they act as evaporators; when they are in the heating mode, they act as condensers.

Alternatively, VRF systems with heat recovery (VRF-HR) use a three-pipe design so that some zones can be cooled while others are heated. This allows surplus heat within the system to be used, rather than being wasted. While the initial costs of three-pipe systems are higher, thermal control across building zones and overall efficiency are improved.

How VRF systems work

Daikin developed variable refrigerant technology, known as variable refrigerant volume (VRV), in the 1980s. The approach automatically adapts refrigerant temperature to provide the most comfortable conditions, increasing seasonal efficiency by up to 28%, compared to other solutions. Other systems based on this approach are commonly known as VRF.

The refrigerant flows through pipes between an outdoor unit and indoor units that condition and recirculate indoor air. Variable speed fans modulate the indoor and outdoor units. Heat recovery between zones reuses energy efficiently for heating, cooling, and hot water.

Smaller sized systems are available for residential and small commercial buildings, while large configurations of up to several hundred tons can be installed for high-rise buildings. They can include sophisticated controls for demand response, operations, and maintenance alerts.

Energy savings

Compared with conventional air-to-air heat pumps, advanced variable-speed heat pump systems can typically provide energy savings of 20% and can adjust to seasonal conditions to improve efficiency further. They offer better efficiencies, heat recovery, and can reduce or eliminate duct losses.

Because VRF systems are designed to supply the precise amount of refrigerant to each air handler they minimise energy waste. The system runs less frequently and at a lower capacity, while still maintaining comfortable temperatures. Because VRF systems can also capture heat as part of the cooling process, this can be reused in other parts of your building to save energy.

Chillaire – a national heating, ventilation and air conditioning partner

Centrally located in Nuneaton, and with offices around the UK, Chillaire is a trusted partner for design, installation and maintenance of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

You can contract us through our website www.chillaire.co.uk or email us at sales@chillaire.co.uk.

You can call any one of our local offices:

Nuneaton & Warwickshire Office: Unit 1 Veasey Close, Attleborough Fields Industrial Estate, Nuneaton, CV11 6RT. Telephone: 024 7632 0300

Coventry & West Midlands Office: 16 Lythalls Lane, Holbrooks, Coventry, West Midlands, CV6 6FG. Telephone: 024 7624 9440

Leicester & Leicestershire Office: 3rd Floor, St George’s House, 6 St George’s Way, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE1 1QZ. Telephone: 0116 202 5094

Redditch & Alcester & Worcestershire Office: Minerva Mill Innovation Centre, Station Road, Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 5EH. Telephone: 01527 531275

Northampton & Northamptonshire Office: Moulton Park Business Centre, Redhouse Road, Moulton Park, Northamptonshire, NN3 6AQ. Telephone: 01604 269540

Kettering, Corby & Northants Area Office: 10A Silver Street, Kettering, Northants, NN16 0BN. Telephone: 01536 386046

Air Conditioning and Energy Savings

Air conditioning and HVAC systems have a number of jobs. Heating systems increase the indoor temperature and compensate for heat losses. On the other hand, many spaces gain heat from the sun, people and equipment. This makes them uncomfortable, so cooling is also needed. Ventilation systems supply air to an inside space and remove polluted air.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems come in many different sizes and perform all sorts of functions. Some large systems are included in a building’s central services. They were probably designed with the building’s original plans and installed during construction. Others might provide heating through boilers and radiators, offering only limited ventilation or cooling in some parts of the building, such as meeting rooms.

Three systems or one?

Although we might think of heating, ventilation and air conditioning as separate services for a building, there are benefits of looking at HVAC as a single solution.

In fact, the relationships between these services and with the building itself are important. Looking at them together helps to control the environment more effectively and to manage energy use and costs. For example, if the systems are run separately a lot of energy could be wasted by heating one part of the building and cooling another part.

Energy consumption

HVAC can account a large part of the energy costs associated with using a building. Even small adjustments can make a big difference to the indoor environment and save money at the same time.

Through optimisation, annual energy savings of 30% or more can be achieved and system’s performance can be improved. There are also opportunities to make energy savings at the design stage, with accurate calculations, a whole-system approach and the correct equipment specifications.

There are five important things to consider when looking at HVAC energy use.

1. The building’s design, layout and use – all of these will affect internal temperatures and humidity.
2. The type of indoor conditions you need – more extreme temperatures, greater precision and better air quality all require extra energy.
3. Internal heat sources – lighting, equipment and people all add to the indoor temperature.
4. The efficiency of the HVAC system – a well-designed system will provide exactly the right amount of heating, cooling and moisture control in the right places at the right times.
5. Operating controls – effective controls should allow accurate control so that the system only operates when it’s needed.

Saving energy

There are a number of steps you can take to minimise energy consumption of any system, while maintaining your indoor conditions.

Reducing the need – although we can’t always be involved in a building’s design, carefully specifying the HVAC system can have a big impact on energy use. This can include options to use ‘free energy’ such as solar power for heating, cooling and ventilation to make significant energy and cost savings. Natural ventilation uses airflow through doors and windows and allows rising hot air to be replaced.

Some systems can operate in ‘mixed mode’, using natural ventilation for heating and cooling where possible, and mechanical systems when needed.

Changing behaviour – the way we use a building can also make a difference. It’s not just the air temperature that affects how we feel. Solar radiation, humidity, and air speed are important too. Of course, what we do, and what we wear are also relevant.

When the heating, ventilation or air conditioning systems are in use, up to one third of the energy use and costs can be saved by reducing the amount of outside air coming in to the building. It’s always better to adjust the system than to open a door or window.

Understanding the controls – HVAC controls can be easily set to create a comfortable environment. There are four main types of control:

• time controls so that systems only operate when and where a building is in use
• temperature controls to maintain the environment within set limits
• motion sensors to give even more accurate control in busy and less frequently used areas.
• real time air quality monitoring to respond to changing conditions.

Regular maintenance – this does much more than replace worn elements of the system. It’s essential to maximise efficiency, to reduce energy waste and to avoid breakdowns.

HVAC components must be kept free of dirt and obstructions to operate efficiently.

The overall system should be serviced annually either by a maintenance technician or a professional contractor. In the meantime, regular routine checks of filters and pipework will help to identify performance issues and potential problems at an early stage. Pressure gauges are helpful to highlight when replacement filters are needed.

Upgrades – older HVAC systems might be reaching the end of their operational Iife as the refrigerants they use are no longer available. Some systems have been altered to operate with new replacement refrigerants, but reliability can become an issue over time. If you are considering upgrading or refurbishing your HVAC system, there are opportunities for energy savings.

Expert advice is essential when you commission a new HVAC system or replace and old one. By making sure that you use the most efficient equipment and that the system is professionally designed to meet your requirements you can be confident that it will efficient and cost effective.

Chillaire – a national heating, ventilation and air conditioning partner

Centrally located in Nuneaton, and with offices around the UK, Chillaire is a trusted partner for design, installation and maintenance of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

You can contract us through our website www.chillaire.co.uk or email us at sales@chillaire.co.uk.

You can call any one of our local offices:

Nuneaton & Warwickshire Office: Unit 1 Veasey Close, Attleborough Fields Industrial Estate, Nuneaton, CV11 6RT. Telephone: 024 7632 0300

Coventry & West Midlands Office: 16 Lythalls Lane, Holbrooks, Coventry, West Midlands, CV6 6FG. Telephone: 024 7624 9440

Leicester & Leicestershire Office: 3^rd Floor, St George’s House, 6 St George’s Way, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE1 1QZ. Telephone: 0116 202 5094

Redditch & Alcester & Worcestershire Office: Minerva Mill Innovation Centre, Station Road, Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 5EH. Telephone: 01527 531275

Northampton & Northamptonshire Office: Moulton Park Business Centre, Redhouse Road, Moulton Park, Northamptonshire, NN3 6AQ. Telephone: 01604 269540

Kettering, Corby & Northants Area Office: 10A Silver Street, Kettering, Northants, NN16 0BN. Telephone: 01536 386046

Energy-efficient replacement air conditioning for a Daikin R22 system

The offices of a long-standing Chillaire Limited customer in Nottingham recently received energy-efficient replacement air conditioning for their Daikin system, which originally used R22 refrigerant.

The Electric Avenue offices of data experts, Experian, are one of six they have in Nottinghamshire.

The life of the air conditioning system had been extended by converting it from R22 refrigerant to a more environmentally friendly alternative. However the time had come for a full replacement air conditioning system.

To keep the business running smoothly with the minimum of disruption, the work was completed during night shifts and on Saturdays to avoid disruption.

Responding to the R22 refrigerant ban

When R22 refrigerant was banned back in 2015 some businesses decided to use alternatives such as R417a or R422d rather than installing replacement air conditioning.

This was a practical short-term solution, but many have since experienced large numbers of breakdowns. Compared with businesses that drew up replacement plans during 2013 to 2015, before the ban came into effect, this has resulted in high repair and maintenance costs.

In contrast, businesses that install replacement air conditioning will have new systems using environmentally friendly approved refrigerants and a five-year warranty. With much improved energy efficiency, running costs will also be significantly reduced.

Modern replacement air conditioning

The existing air conditioning at Electric Avenue was provided by an old Daikin R22 system which had been converted to use R417a (Isceon MO59) refrigerant. The units had reached the end of their life cycle and a replacement air conditioning system was needed.

The new Daikin Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) system uses R410a refrigerant, allowing the existing pipes, cables and containment systems to be reused, making it a very cost-effective solution.

A tailored air conditioning solution

New slim-line Daikin model FXS-Q powerful medium static pressure units were chosen for this project. With a built-in height of just 300mm, they are ideal for narrow ceiling voids.

The branch selector (BS) boxes were replaced allowing multiple fan coil units to be connected to the same air-conditioning system so that they can independently generate heating and cooling at the same time.

We also installed new room sensors and Daikin’s iTouch centralised controller, which allows cooling and heating levels to be set independently when parts of the premises are occupied and unoccupied at night and during weekends, for example.

Technical challenges

Air is brought in, distributed and removed via supply and return plenum boxes to installed in the false voids with solid insulated ducting. Linear grilles supply ventilation along the perimeter of each floor and the return air is extracted from the middle through linear grilles.

There were sixteen original outdoor units housed in the building’s loft space. They were probably installed during construction, leaving our engineers with some practical challenges.

To install the replacement variable refrigerant volume (VRV) heat pump outdoor units, we arranged to have them taken off Daikin’s assembly line in Belgium in a flat-pack form to transport them to the site. Our engineers then moved them into the loft-space plant rooms by hand and built them on site.

Safety from start to finish

Our experienced project managers used their wide experience to plan and implement this installation.

They are well-qualified in design and in all aspects of safety health and safety from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Our site supervising engineers are all Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) qualified, so our customers can always be confident that good safety practices are a tope priority for every project.

The Daikin VRV range

Daikin is widely recognised as one of the best air conditioning manufacturers in the world with an emphasis on innovation and energy-efficiency.

Their equipment is popular with clients, consultants and contractors because design and installation is a straightforward process.

Daikin was the first to develop a Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) system. It was the world’s first multi-split type air conditioner for commercial buildings. It made Individual zone control a practical option. Coupled with inverter technology, precise temperature control and efficiency can be achieved, cuts energy use maintaining a more comfortable environment.

Other manufacturers have since their own versions, known as VRF or Variable Refrigerant Flow” systems.

Daikin’s research and development team also developed new systems such as the ceiling cassette 4-way fan coil unit and the 360 degree round flow cassette fan coil unit for use with Daikin VRV systems.

Solutions for all sectors

Heat pump air conditioning systems can be tailored to the requirements of many sectors, including chemists, laboratories, clinics, surgeries and consulting rooms.

Please call us for a free no obligation site survey and quotation.

Visit our website www.chillaire.co.uk or email us at sales@chillaire.co.uk.

Chillaire Limited has local offices around the country:

Nuneaton & Warwickshire Office: Unit 1 Veasey Close, Attleborough Fields Industrial Estate, Nuneaton, CV11 6RT. Telephone: 024 7632 0300

Coventry & West Midlands Office: 16 Lythalls Lane, Holbrooks, Coventry, West Midlands, CV6 6FG. Telephone: 024 7624 9440

Leicester & Leicestershire Office: 3^rdFloor, St George’s House, 6 St George’s Way, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE1 1QZ. Telephone: 0116 202 5094

Redditch/Alcester & Worcestershire Office: Minerva Mill Innovation Centre, Station Road, Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 5EH. Telephone: 01527 531275

Northampton & Northamptonshire Office: Moulton Park Business Centre, Redhouse Road, Moulton Park, Northamptonshire, NN3 6AQ. Telephone: 01604 269540

Kettering & Corby Office: 10A Silver Street, Kettering, Northants, NN16 0BN. Telephone: 01536 38604