Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Systems

October 1, 2015

VARIABLE REFRIGERANT FLOW SYSTEMS

Summary
A Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heating and air conditioning system is a specific type of HVAC
system which utilizes one outdoor unit that connects to multiple indoor units. These indoor units can
be single systems; serving one space, or a ducted system; serving multiple spaces. The indoor units
are controlled individually by a room thermostat in a variable flow mode, while the outdoor unit
provides the refrigerant. This provides for the heating and/or cooling of the individual interior
space. The outdoor units can be either air cooled or water cooled and the indoor units are connected
to the outdoor unit via refrigerant piping.
History
VRF systems have been in existence for approximately 30 years. The VRF system is a variation on
the individual mini ductless split systems which were commonly used to condition small data rooms or
individual rooms where a heat producing load was located, or in a space where a larger system was
not required.
These systems have become very popular across the globe, particularly in places such as Europe and
Japan. These areas tend to have high electricity costs. By utilizing the high efficiency of the VRF
systems the cost of operation can be reduced.
In the Pacific NW, the manufacturing of VRF systems was previously dominated by three (3) main
companies. However, as the popularity of this type of system has increased, the number of
manufacturers entering the field has tripled, growing from three main dominating companies to
somewhere from 8 to 10 that we know of. The individual room control as well as the type and size of
a building now utilizing VRF technology has heightened the expansion of these systems. They have
now made their way into the construction industry because of their high efficiency.
What is a Variable Refrigerant Flow System?
A VRF system is an air conditioning/heating system where multiple indoor units can be connected, via
refrigerant piping, to a single outdoor unit. There are two types of systems: Heat Pump and Heat
Pump with Heat Recovery. The heat pump system operates similarly to a standard heat pump where
the outdoor unit is either in the heating or cooling mode and all indoor units are operating in the
same (heating or cooling) mode. The heat recovery heat pump system allows the individual space
connected indoor units to be in either the heating or cooling mode whilst not requiring the outdoor
unit selecting the mode. This, is accomplished by piping refrigerant from the outdoor unit to a
distribution box (circuit controller, branch selection box, etc.) and then routed using a second set of

refrigerant pipes to each individual indoor unit. This allows diversification in the overall cooling
and/or heating load and greatly increases energy efficiency.
Indoor units range in size from less than 1 ton up to approximately 8 tons. These units can be a fan
coil type; either ducted or non-ducted, an exposed ceiling mounted unit, a concealed ceiling mounted
unit or a wall mounted unit. Outdoor units range in size from approximately 5 tons for a single unit,
up to 30 tons for multiple units connected together to form one single larger tonnage
unit. Example: (2) 5 ton units can be connected to form a single 10 ton unit or an 8 ton unit can be
connected to a 10 ton unit to yield a total tonnage of 18 tons and an 8 ton unit can be combined with
a 10 ton unit and another 10 ton unit to yield a total tonnage of 28 tons. While being configured
from multiple units and requiring separate power connections, the resulting combined unit is
considered a single unit.
While a conventional HVAC system has outside ventilation air as part of the packaged system, VRF
systems, although generally having outside air capability, usually require a dedicated outdoor air
system (DOAS) to operate in conjunction with the VRF to provide ventilation air to the occupied
spaces where the VRF provides the heating and cooling and the DOAS provides for the
ventilation. The DOAS only provides for the ventilation required by code thus the air side capacity of
the system is not as great as a conventional all-air system which is providing ventilation air as well as
enough air to be heated and cooled to satisfy the temperature control of the space. Most VRF
manufacturers do offer DOAS equipment which integrates into the control system for the VRF.
Temperature control and system control of a VRF system is provided by the manufacturer of the
system. Manufacturers have their own proprietary control systems. A component of one
manufacturer cannot be used in another manufacturers system.
Design and Installation
The design of the VRF system should be done by an individual who is knowledgeable in VRF systems
and who has been trained by the manufacturer in the design of their particular product. The
recommendations of the manufacturer should be followed completely in the design process. It is
important to zone the systems properly and to always keep the length of refrigerant piping as short
as possible. The use of isolation valves, both in zones and on individual pieces of equipment is
recommended for both an ease of installation and testing basis as well as for ease of maintenance
after construction.
Since there is considerably more refrigerant piping being installed in a VRF system than a more
conventional system, the quality of the installation becomes paramount. Piping needs to be cleaned
and capped. Air inside the piping needs to be purged and nitrogen used during the brazing of the
pipe.
Pressure testing of the piping should be accomplished in accordance with the manufacturers
recommendations.
The installation should be provided by a contractor who has completed the installation training classes
provided by the manufacturer and the designer should include in the installation specifications that
the manufacturer or the manufacturers representative should inspect the installation.