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Business
CHANGES AND INNOVATIONS IN VRV / F
By Preggy Chettiar , edited by Eamonn Ryan
The RACA Journal caught up with Preggy Chettiar , business development director of HC Heat Group of Companies , who shed light on the latest changes and innovations in VRV / F technology , and what they mean for the industry .
The HVAC industry has been experiencing significant changes and innovations related to variable refrigerant flow ( VRF ) systems , with new terms like VRS and VRV making the rounds . With each brand driving product efficiencies and introducing new features , the competition has brought about great innovation in VRV / F technology .
“ VRV ( VRF is a Daikin Trade Mark ) was invented in early 1980s , since then there has been a steady introduction of new brands of VRF products into the market . With competition comes great innovation and each brand continues to attract a larger market share by driving product efficiencies , hence achieving a competitive advantage . Energy efficiency and more recently Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating ( SEER ) have been prioritised by all brands , this is partly due to pressure by regulating bodies in different countries .”
Chettiar notes that each brand has introduced its own unique competitive advantage while addressing energy efficiency and complying with regulations like EN378 , the following are some of the changes that have been introduced of late by different brands :
• The total pipe length has been increased , including the height difference between indoor and outdoor units .
• Reduced installation space for outdoor units .
• Continuous heating during defrost mode .
• Incorporation of heat recovery technologies .
• Simultaneous heating and cooling .
• Variable refrigerant temperature technology .
• Improved oil management systems .
• Auto dust removal from the condensing units .
• Highly corrosion resistant outdoor units .
• Diverse control options , including the incorporation of thirdparty controls .
• Hybrid VRF using H 2
O in lieu of refrigerant in occupied spaces .
• New R32 refrigerant with reduced GWP .
• All VRV / F brands have included Air Handling Unit ( AHU ) solutions within their product offering allowing the clients to have custom designed AHUs by using the VRV / F Electronic Expansion Valve kit ( EEV ) with its matching control modules to achieve the required capacities . This has allowed local manufactures like HC HVAC to take advantage of the latest VRV / F technologies within our AHUs and Hybrid Rooftop Packaged units .
• Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems – ( DOAS ) Rooftop units with VRV / F are also available .
© Eamonn Ryan | RACA Journal
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Preggy Chettiar , business development director of HC Heat Group of Companies .
RACA Journal I July 2023
He notes that the popularity of this technology can be attributed to the advanced controls philosophy coupled with great training provided to consultants and contractors by the different VRV / F brands . “ Most of the brands have excellent training facilities and have become key stakeholders in industry training and overall upliftment of skills . The VRV / F products also offer clients commissioning and testing of the units of a superior standard , allowing the units to be charged and test run on modern software with very accurate reports being generated .
“ These VRV / F condensing units are designed and manufactured in world class production facilities . The product
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