The primary function of all air-conditioning systems is to provide thermal comfort for building occupants. There is a wide range of system types available, staring with the basic window-fitted unit through to the very latest VRF (variable refrigerant flow) equipment.

Deciding which system best suits the application will depend on several variables. 

For example, in a modern, design-conscious office the aesthetic requirements of the client may prove of greater importance than the number of control options they provide. While a client looking for the best life-cycle cost will need to balance capital cost with long-term operating costs, efficiency and predicted VRF systems provide cooling and heating using refrigerant (R407C or R410A) as the working fluid. There are two basic types of VRF system — cooling/heating-only and energy-recovery.

Cooling/heating-only can provide just cooling or, with the incorporation of a heat pump, cooling or heating to the space — but not both at the same time. The energy-recovery system, can provide cooling and heating simultaneously, to different parts of the building. This feature has the potential to deliver maximum energy savings. Further, a heat-recovery system can transfer the heat extracted from those spaces requiring cooling to areas demanding heating — resulting in extremely high primary-energy ratios and low operating costs.

Outdoor units are available with different cooling and heating capacities to suit the application. A host of controller options is available, from simple wireless controllers to powerful PC software packages. Finally, all the units are linked using transmission cable, providing a fully networked air-conditioning system.

VRV is a system developed and designed by Daikin Industries and means "variable refrigerant volume". Daikin protected the term VRV so other manufacturers use the term VRF "variable refrigerant flow". In principle they both work the same and are extremely efficient, reliable, energy saving ways to heat and cool all types of buildings with minimum installation time or disruption.

The volume or flow rate of refrigerant is accurately matched to the required heating or cooling loads thereby saving energy and providing more accurate control.

In short, they are probably the best systems currently available for mid to large applications.

Click here to know more about General VRF Air Conditioning System.