Daikin has been known as the forerunner in air conditioning technology. One of the many innovations in air conditioning that was created by Daikin is what we call VRV + Heat Recovery System. Invented in 1982, VRV system solved the problems with huge energy consumption for establishments that make use of many air conditioning units for their day by day operations. As years passed, it was further developed with an infused heat recovery solution.

Today, we will discuss the prototype of the VRV IV + Heat Recovery System to better understand its advantages. This blog will focus on Variable Refrigerant Volume or VRV systems.

Come to think of it, there was only one option to cool a whole building in the past. That is to install several air conditioners in different areas and have them run simultaneously. However, you could only imagine how much that could blow up your energy bill. This is not to mention the cost for maintenance and repair which comes with having an air conditioner.

This problem was solved when Daikin introduced the first and only VRV system as an air conditioner for commercial spaces.

Since Variable Refrigerant Volume is a trademark of Daikin, other companies’ version of this technology is called Variable Refrigerant Flow. Therefore, if you are specifically looking for Daikin’s system, it will help not to confuse the two.
Now, what is a VRV system and how does it work?

What is the Variable Refrigerant Volume or VRV System?

VRV system, as its name suggests, is an AC system that utilizes refrigerant in cooling and heating several rooms at once. The technology is very similar to a multi-split ductless air conditioning system but has relatively low energy consumption. Thus, it is very ideal to use for commercial establishments.

What are the important features of a VRV System?

Variable refrigerant volume system has a lot of features that make it an ideal air conditioning solution to large spaces. Some of which are as follows:

• VRV system has multiple indoor units connected to a single outdoor component much like a multi-split air conditioner.
• The outdoor unit receives signals from each indoor unit and delivers the required air temperature back to each indoor unit accordingly.
• The VRV system can be used for a heating and cooling system simultaneously. That means if one of the ten rooms requires a heating system. The outdoor unit will process nine rooms with chilled airs and one room with warm air. No need for manual adjustments.
• The VRV system has sensors which can detect if the rooms are occupied. When one room is vacant, the outdoor unit will shut its operation on that particular room.
• This air conditioning solution promotes energy efficiency and significantly decreases the carbon emission for huge establishments.

How does the VRV system work?

The Variable Refrigerant Volume system uses refrigerant for both cooling and heating processes. The refrigerant inside a VRV system is being conditioned by multiple condenser units. The conditioned refrigerant will then flow from the outdoor unit to indoor units scattered throughout the building. This allows for simultaneous air conditioning using a remote control system.

The indoor units, on the other hand, will determine the required temperature for their respective rooms. They can also detect when the room is unoccupied. All these conditions will be sent as signals to the outdoor component. With this setup, energy consumption will be limited. VRV technology allows for zero waste energy consumption in commercial properties.

Want to know more about Daikin’s Heat Recovery System? Watch out for the second part of this blog to understand this technology better.