VRF air conditioning systems: The future of energy-efficient room cooling

VRF air-conditioning system at Energie Ausserschwyz AG

The energy center in Galgenen uses a wood-fired power plant and a biogas plant to generate environmentally friendly heat and electricity for the public grid. Our solution included consulting, sales, installation and optimization of the air conditioning system, which was specially tailored to the customer’s needs and requirements. With a combination of outdoor units, wall, duct and ceiling units, an individual indoor climate was created that takes into account the conditions of the various rooms such as the operations center, transformer station, meeting rooms and technical rooms.

The experienced team in Wangen worked closely with the customer to develop a solution that not only met the cooling requirements, but also the specific requirements for energy efficiency and comfort. Careful planning and professional installation ensured that the system worked perfectly.

VRF solution at the Marty houses in Wil

We were commissioned to implement a customized VRF air conditioning system for the headquarters of Marty Häuser AG, the Swiss full-service provider for architecture and individual house construction. Our overall solution included consulting, sales, installation and optimization of an air conditioning system precisely tailored to the customer’s needs and requirements. The interaction of outdoor units, wall and ceiling units created an individual room climate that meets the requirements of the various areas such as the reception area, meeting rooms and the team kitchen. The server room is cooled all year round as an independent, energy-efficient system. Numerous consultations and discussions take place in the meeting rooms, so it was important to respond to the specific room conditions.

The specialists from Degersheim worked together with those responsible to address the cooling requirements and the specific demands on air quality, energy efficiency and comfort. The optimal function of the system was ensured through precise planning and professional execution.

What is VRF?

VRF is the abbreviation for Variable Refrigerant Flow, which means “variable refrigerant flow”. Essentially, it is an advanced cooling system that is used for highly efficient control of the room temperature in buildings. In contrast to conventional air conditioning systems, VRF systems do not work with fixed refrigerant quantities, but adapt the quantity of circulating refrigerant individually to the demand.

How does VRF work?

The basic idea of VRF air conditioning is quite simple, but extremely effective. A central outdoor unit is connected to several indoor units. The refrigerant circulates between these units and adapts its temperature and quantity to the respective room conditions. This means that different rooms in a building can have different temperatures depending on requirements. This enables precise zonal temperature control and significantly improves comfort. VRF technology also offers remarkable flexibility. By adapting the system to the specific requirements of individual rooms, it is possible to maximize comfort for users and improve energy efficiency at the same time.

The VRF products from TOSHIBA

TOSHIBA offers a wide range of VRF systems that have been specially developed to meet the requirements of planners and building services engineers. The products offer outstanding performance, reliability and innovation to improve the comfort and efficiency of buildings. The outdoor units can be combined with different types of indoor units, including cassette, ceiling or wall-mounted units. This versatility means that a single VRF system can be used for a wide range of room types and sizes.

Advantages of VRF air conditioning

• Efficiency: VRF systems are much more efficient than conventional air conditioning systems. As they adjust the amount of refrigerant to the demand, no energy is wasted.
• Zonal temperature control: You can regulate the temperature in each room individually, which offers a high level of comfort and further increases energy efficiency.
• Space saving: Compared to traditional air conditioning systems, VRF systems require less space, which allows for a more flexible room design.
• Environmental friendliness: VRF systems are often equipped with energy-efficient technologies that reduce the impact on the environment.
• Low noise: VRF systems are quieter in operation than conventional air conditioning systems and therefore offer greater comfort for residents.
• High flexibility: Up to 40 indoor units can be combined to form a refrigeration circuit. The nominal cooling capacity can be up to 80 kW per cooling circuit.

Areas of application for VRF systems:

VRF systems are used in a variety of buildings and environments. Whether in industrial or commercial buildings, offices, hotels, medical and healthcare practices or retail outlets, the flexibility and efficiency of VRF make it the ideal choice for a wide range of requirements.

• Commercial buildings: VRF systems are used in various commercial buildings such as office complexes, hotels and shopping centers, medical and healthcare practices or retail outlets to create a pleasant indoor climate and save energy at the same time.
• Residential buildings: VRF systems are also becoming increasingly popular in residential buildings, as they can contribute to individual temperature control and energy savings in apartment buildings and residential complexes.

The advantages of TOSHIBA technologies

In 1981, TOSHIBA was the first manufacturer to launch air conditioners with inverter technology on the market. Since then, the technology has been further developed and improved. An inverter air conditioner raises or lowers the temperature in the room by automatically changing the speed of the compressor. When the room is sufficiently cooled or heated as required, the inverter automatically reduces the speed of the compressor. This saves energy and reduces temperature fluctuations in the room. Thanks to the speed control of the compressor, only as much power is produced as is necessary.

Tools for planners and technicians

Toshiba’s intelligent software tools enable convenient planning at the start of the project and easy data access to already installed devices.

Selection Tool

Reliable and efficient planning requires far more than just combining indoor and outdoor units. The Selection Tool software offers a realistic representation of one or more complete systems with an individual level of detail. Integration of floor plans, inclusion of all control options, output of device lists, pipe network and wiring diagrams – exportable as .pdf or .dwg at the touch of a button. This tool enables fast and efficient quotations and work preparation.

Wave Tool

Data can be read out and uploaded directly to the outdoor unit via an Android or iOS smartphone or tablet. The wireless NFC connection is used to connect without a cable connection. Whether commissioning or servicing: the data of the entire system, device addressing, history and much more is available promptly for processing on site or via data transfer. Intelligent software tools simplify life on both sides: Convenient planning at the start of a project and easy data access with the device already installed.

Installation and maintenance

Expert knowledge is required when planning and installing VRF systems. We are happy to support you in the successful implementation of your project. In addition, we offer you customized service options such as our service contracts to ensure the long-term and trouble-free operation of your system.

At 21 locations

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