1- A general overview of VRF air conditioning

The VRF or VRV air conditioning system is a “VARIABLE REFRIGERANT VOLUME” modern and advanced air conditioning system, and it is considered a new birth of highly efficient cooling systems in the world.

It will undoubtedly change and be included in the air conditioning systems for buildings with different cooling loads, and will provide a wide range of different applications for air conditioning hotels, towers, schools, government departments, homes, etc., with simplicity of control and control.

It was discovered and developed in Japan by Daikin Company in 1982 AD, and other companies continued to produce this system as its technology spread, but with different names (VRF) for many famous brands, such as (L.G “Multi-v” – Midea – Samsung – Gree – Toshiba – Mitsubishi)

2-Features of VRF air conditioning systems
VRF-air conditioning system providing the service floor

The VRF air conditioning system is characterized by large copper network lengths, which saves the need to create a service floor in (high-rise, multi-storey buildings such as hotels) to place outdoor units, unlike DX systems, which require allocating a service floor in the middle of the building.

The compressors work to feed and deliver the refrigerant “Freon” to distances of up to 1000 meters in total between the internal and external units.

Due to the change in pressures according to the needs of each individual internal unit, the method of filling the coolant in the VRF system differs from the regular system.

As there is no fixed pressure installed in the VRF copper network, but the amount of Freon to be filled inside the copper network is determined according to the data given from the VRF copper network design program, so that the data refers to adding, for example, “50 kg to the network.”

3- Operation and establishment requirements
LG brand VRF system-project-palaceLG brand VRF air conditioning systems

The VRF air conditioning system shares some operating requirements with DX direct systems, such as:

Establishing the thermostat.
Establishment of exchange.
Marking openings in the walls for ductwork

However, when making foundations for copper pipes, it is not preferable to use the method of laying pipes inside the walls, as is done with the DX system

However, it is preferable to make these extensions through service skylights, since the VRF air conditioning copper network has connections and different diameters that require direct viewing or inspection in the event of any malfunction.

4- It is preferable to use it in:

It is preferable to use the VRF air conditioning system in high-rise buildings with large lengths of copper, and in cases where there are not enough spaces for the outlet units or to exploit the roof space for other services.

It is preferable to use it in hotels or hotel apartment buildings, as it allows the installation of a Freon consumption meter for each apartment separately and it is an indicator of electricity consumption.

It will provide a wide range of different applications for air conditioning towers, schools, government departments, mosques, etc., and with various applications that are concerned with saving electricity at a rate of up to 50% or that are concerned with providing outdoor spaces for roofs and buildings occupied by outdoor units.

5- Cooling capabilities

The VRF air conditioning system ranges in multiple capacities or cooling capacities, as it can reach a minimum of “0.5 tons,” which is not available in the DX system, as it has a minimum of “1.5 tons” for the hidden and “1 ton” for the wall.

It also provides high capacities that can reach up to “16 tons,” which in the DX system has a maximum of “5 tons” for the concealment.

Ease of controlling the division of cooling capacity in a smooth and practical manner, which prevents wastage of cooling capacity in small places, and reduces the cost in large places by adding one indoor unit of up to “16 tons” without adding more than one indoor unit.

6-The cost of the VRF system

The cost of the VRV air conditioning system is higher than the DX air conditioners by a rate ranging from 70:80%, taking into account the possibility of recovering the cost difference within a period ranging from two to four years depending on operating conditions. This is due to the system’s ability to save on operating costs (electricity consumption bills), which Up to 50% compared to DX system

Note that the lifespan of the VFR system is approximately ten years longer than the DX system, depending on the operating conditions

7-VRF system maintenance

The external units of the VRF air conditioning system operate with an intelligent system to control the operation of the compressors in an alternating manner, which increases the life span of the compressors.

In the event of a failure of one of the compressors, the lost load is transferred to the rest of the compressors in an automatic manner without stopping the system or affecting the operation of the system until maintenance work is completed.

The VRV air conditioning system is considered a reliable and intelligent system, which requires a “professional” maintenance team through the agent to identify fault codes and solve them as quickly as possible.