Job number / DEU-158
Job description / VRV IV -The best technology on the market
Target Audience / HVAC installers and contractors, Building engineers and consultants, Building owners/managers and facilities managers
Version / V3.0
Approval status / Revised draft for DENV approval
VRV – The Best Technology on the Market
It has been over 30 years since the HVAC market was transformed by the introduction of the world’s first air conditioning system with variable refrigerant control, based on the Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) technology pioneered by Daikin. The launch of Daikin’s VRVIV solutionhas raised the bar yet again for HVAC systems. We look back at what VRV technology has achieved and what this technology has to offer in the future.
What is VRV?
VRV, or Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) technologyas it is known more generally within the industry, varies the refrigerant volume within the system to match the building’s precise requirements at any moment.Only the minimum level of energy is required to ensure that each area maintains its set temperature, thus saving energy costs and reducing carbon emissions.
Over the years Daikin has continuously added new functionalities to its VRV systems to meet evolving market needs. In addition to increased system capacity, the introduction of heat recovery technology has resulted in improved comfort and efficiency. Research and development has also resulted in customised solutions tailored to the needs of specific applications and climatic regions, based around the Daikin space-saving mini VRV system while the ‘optimised for heating’ VRV system provides heating down to -25°C to suit the needs of colder climates. With R-22 ban in mind, Daikin’s replacement systems were developed and optimised to upgrade older systems in the most economic way.
The future is now
A typical office building may require both cooling and heating simultaneouslywith ventilation, as well as hot water storage for washrooms and kitchens. Building operators are increasingly seeking total project solutions for climate control which can handle various requirements in a single solution, while keeping energy consumption down.
Daikin’s new VRVIV system demonstrates how next generation systems can deliver outstanding energy efficiency through integration of all these functions, while offering even greater flexibility to meet a wide range of applications and user requirements. VRV technology can now manage up to 70% of a building’s energy consumption (in the case of a hotel for example) – offering large potential cost savings compared to separate systems.
360o efficiency with 24/7 comfort
Using heat recovery technology, the newest systemscan recover “free” heat from areas requiring cooling such as offices and server rooms, using it to heat other areas and provide hot water or supply heat to other applications such as over-door air curtains. Re-using wasted energy in this way can provide a Coefficient of Performance (COP) of up to ten – meaning that for each kilowatt of electricity uses, up to 10 kilowatts of heating or cooling capacity is provided.
Simultaneously cooling spaces while heating others, VRV heat recovery solutionslike the Daikin VRVIV HR system allow multiple climate control systems to be integrated to address local needs, useful for example, in buildings where extreme variations in temperature may exist such as hospitals and laboratories or where occupancy patterns vary significantly.
The integration of a VRV system with the latest intelligent control systems can increase energy efficiency even more. For example, intelligent controls such as Daikin’s iTouch Manager are now capable of allowing users to programme schedules to fit building usage requirements by room.
Additionally, smart controls can also monitor energy consumption across a range of equipment, including air conditioning, to pinpoint areas of a building where the most energy savings can be made.
Re-inventing the VRV system
In the last 30 years Daikin has been at the fore front of VRV evolution. To meet the specific needs of the European market, the development and production of VRV systems was transferred to Europe resulting in a dedicated European model of the VRV system.
When taking the design to Europe, the heart of the system was re-designed,
representing the biggest advance in climate control since the introduction of VRV technology itself, the introduction of Variable Refrigerant Temperature (VRT). Daikin’s new VRVIV system also offers a number of other features which are unique to the manufacturer including Continuous Heating, which provides continuous comfort during defrost, and the intelligent VRV configurator.
Variable Refrigerant Temperature for optimum seasonal efficiency
An industry first, the VRT Technology incorporated into Daikin’s VRVIV system automatically adjusts the VRV system to match individual building and climate needs. Preset modes allow users to choose the required balance between comfort and efficiency.
Using weather-dependant control, the VRTintuitivelyadjustsrefrigerant temperatures to match the actual temperature and capacity needed at all times. In addition to offering total comfort, this also drastically reduces operational running costs: the new VRT technology has the potential to increase seasonal efficiency by up to 28% compared to previous VRV systems.
Continuous comfort
Heat pumps are known for their high energy efficiency in heating, but they accumulate ice during heating operation. The ice must be melted periodically using a defrost function so the unit can continue to provide the necessary heating.Defrost reverses the refrigeration cycle, meaning the indoor unit is switched to off or to cooling causing a temporary temperature drop and reduced comfort levels inside the building.
Daikin’s VRV IV system assuresbuilding users and occupiers continual comfort levels whatever the weather, thanks to a unique heat-accumulating element made up of phase-change materials. The energy needed for defrosting is stored in the element during normal operation and is used during defrosting, avoiding the need to divert energy away from heating the building.
More flexibility
Modularity has always been one of the key attractions of VRV systems. The latest VRV solutions such as Daikin VRVIV can be applied to create fully integrated systems for buildings of any size. You can combine multiple outdoor units to suit the system size exactly to the building and also add components such as heat recovery ventilation, air handling units, air curtains and hot water hydroboxes to suit the needs.
Fast and easy installation
For installers too, the newest VRV systems offer advantages over previous systems. Daikin’s VRV configurator allows system settings to be determined in advance, meaning less time has to be spent on the roof during installation. Multiple systems at different sites can be managed in the same way, providing simplified commissioning for multiple buildings. An easy-to-read display for outdoor units simplifies basic servicing tasks providing error reports along with a range of system checks.
Quicker to install and commission than their predecessors, the latest generation of VRV systems offers considerable advantages to installers, building managers and occupants.
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About Daikin Europe N.V.
Daikin Europe N.V. is a major European producer of air conditioners, heat pumps and refrigeration equipment, with approximately 5,500 employees throughout Europe and 10 major manufacturing facilities based in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Turkey and the UK.
Globally, Daikin is renowned for its pioneering approach to product development and the unrivalled quality and versatility of its integrated solutions. With more than 90 years’ experience in the design and manufacture of heating and cooling technologies, Daikin is a market leader in heat pump technology.