If you aren’t familiar with commercial air conditioning or commercial HVAC in general, it’s easy to think of air conditioning systems as basically all the same. The difference is in power, and as long as you have a commercial AC installation in Chicago, IL that matches the load requirements of your facility, you’ll have the AC equipment you need.
But AC technology constantly changes and improves, and what you need for basic day-to-day operations may not be the best you can have. This is why we want to talk about commercial VRF systems, which we install and service in Chicagoland.
What Is a VRF System?
VRF stands for variable refrigerant volume. This is a type of ductless air conditioning system that can modulate its cooling capacity based on the needs of the individual units mounted around the facility. Rather than always run at 100% capacity the way standard central air conditioning systems and rooftop units do, the system can run at reduced capacities.
How Is a VRF System Beneficial?
There are several significant advantages to using a commercial VRF system:
- Energy savings: Since a VRF system doesn’t need to run at 100% capacity at all times, it will lower energy consumption. In most cases, a VRF system will run at a lesser capacity. A properly installed VRF system can increase energy efficiency by 25%.
- Zone control: Because a VRF system is ductless, it works through multiple indoor units that each cool a specific zone. These zones can be comfort controlled independently of each other, which further lowers energy consumption. And unlike standard ductless systems that don’t have variable refrigerant flow, a VRF system can modulate how much cooling each of the zones receives, rather than just turning on/off.
- Space saving: VRF systems have an extremely small footprint compared to other types of commercial air conditioners. You can have cooling installed in cramped areas that would be otherwise difficult to condition.
- Temperature consistency: Because VRF systems modulate capacity based on the requirements of zones, they eliminate temperature fluctuations and allow for more consistent and even cooling. This helps with comfort as well as protecting equipment.
- Quiet operation: VRF technology allows for some of the quietest cooling systems currently on the market. The indoor units of a VRF system run at sound levels between 19–34 decibels.
- Easy to scale: A VRF system can grow with your business or work well with remodeling and buildings still under construction.
Is a VRF System Right for My Business?
Commercial VRF systems are flexible and can work in a range of different types of facilities. They’re efficient and cost-effective, making them appealing for many businesses. They are especially useful for older buildings that do not have the architecture to make the installation of ductwork easy or appealing, and they also are terrific for building renovations.
The best way to find out if you want to install a VRF system for your facility is to work with our professionals. We’re more than a repair and installation company—we work in a consultative role as well. We’re client-focused and look to form a partnership with you to find the best solutions for your HVAC needs.
Call Althoff Industries, Inc. to find out more about our installation of commercial VRF systems. Challenges Accepted!