What is VRF?

Variable refrigerant flow (vrf) also known as variable refrigerant volume (vrv).

This type of system consists of a number of air handling units (possibly up to 48) connected to a modular external condensing unit.

The refrigerant flow is varied using either an inverter controlled variable speed compressor, or multiple compressors of varying capacity in response to changes in the cooling or heating requirement within the air conditioned space.

• A sophisticated control system enables switching between the heating and cooling modes
• In more sophisticated versions, the indoor units may operate in heating or cooling mode independently of others
• This latter arrangement offers potential energy savings when heating and cooling are required simultaneously in different zones
• This type of system requires no internal plant room space and offers great flexibility through the many types of air handling units available
• Applications vary from office, retail, hotel, luxury apartments, industrial, new and retrofitted buildings
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Find the Perfect Air Conditioning System for Your home

Choosing the right air conditioner for your home is a big decision. A few key areas to consider when making a purchase include whether or not you should get a room air conditioner or invest in an HVAC system, then the size of unit, BTUs and overall energy efficiency. Room air conditioners range from portable air conditioner and to through the wall air conditioner and pejorative cooler but if you are looking to cool multiple rooms, an HVAC system may be a good alternative. Shop quality brands such as Whynter, Danby, GRE and LG

Air conditioners should also help preserve the air quality in your home, allowing for you to control humidity and overall air flow. The Home Depot carries all types of air conditioning parts and accessories including air filters HVAC parts.

Capacity and Efficiency of Central Air Conditioning System

An experienced H VAC contractor should be able to size and specify the equipment best suited to your home, factoring the age, quality of windows, insulation, number of floors, square and cubic feet of living space, and local factors such as climate, humidity, local energy costs and average number of days the system will be needed to operate annually.
If your system is too small it will work too hard and if it’s too large, it may cycle on and off too frequently, reducing efficiency and the ability to reduce humidity inside the home.

It takes years of experience to know how to properly size and specify a central air conditioning system so leave it to a pro. Consult several reputable H VAC contractors to compare their specifications, opinions and recommendations before you make a final decision.

Deciding how much efficiency you need is a matter of personal economics, comfort level and environmental concerns. You may or may not save enough on a SEER 15 or higher system to offset the higher installation costs versus the lower ongoing costs of operating a system with a lower SEER.

With rising energy costs, the economics are shifting, so that the additional $200 or $300 it costs to increase your system from one SEER to the next might easily pay off over the service life of the system, especially if you live in a very hot climate where air conditioning is needed frequently!

The other important factor to consider is the warranty terms; paying more up front could save you money down the road. Proper installation may be more important to getting the maximum service life than the system components, so be sure your H VAC contractor is trained and certified by the manufacturer whose equipment is being installed. Also consider purchasing an extended warranty or maintenance contract on your central air conditioning system.

Ten Ways to Lower Home Air Conditioning Costs

1. Watch the thermostat; keep it between 74 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit. If you set it any lower, you’re just throwing money away!
2. Check the weatherstripping on your windows and doors; even small cracks let the cool air escape.
3. Insulate your attic or add attic insulation if needed. Also, if your walls have inadequate insulation, your air conditioning savings could justify adding insulation throughout your home.
4. Install ceiling fans in your home and be sure they are directing the air in the optimal direction to keep your room cool. Heat rises, so rooms on the second story are prime candidates for ceiling fans.
5. Keep curtains and blinds closed during the daytime; especially windows that get direct sunlight.
6. Consider adding window tint to your windows.
7. Keep windows open at night to cool the house, closing everything up again when the sun beats down on your home.
8. If you have an older air conditioning unit, it may be worth upgrading to a new, energy efficient model.
9. If necessary, plan to be out of the house during the hottest part of the day and go to the mall, a movie theater or other cool place for a couple of hours.
10. Before the weather gets hot and your local serving company get busy, have your air conditioning unit checked and be sure all filters, air ducts and other components are clean and operating correctly.