October 2016: In view of faster growing HVAC market in India and in pace with the technology development, it has become essential to understand the various product segments to ensure efficient functioning of the system. To create awareness about the advantages of the Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Systems, International Copper Association India (ICA India) conducted a seminar in Delhi on 14th Oct 2016 and in Bengaluru on 19th Oct 2016.

VRF is a fast growing segment. There is a need to understand the advantages of the system and help the stakeholders to build infrastruc?ture, selection, design and installation of the system. With growing commercial space, VRF system is the answer to most metro cities challenges. These heating and cooling systems are particularly popular in urban cities and are ideal for commercial spaces and even large residential homes. VRFs are more sophisticated version of the minisplit HVAC system used across the globe. These systems are air-cooled and refrigerant- based equipped, with outside condenser units and indoor fan coils. It is designed to provide the utmost comfort while saving substantially on operational costs.

The objective of this seminar was to promote the use of VRF systems and best practices amongst stakeholders. Also especially for commercial level VRF systems the amount of energy that is saved impacts the bottom line. ICA India along with the panel of experts organized this seminar with the aim of increasing the industry professionals' awareness of various options available to have more energy efficient spaces.

The speakers at the event were A Madhukar, CEO Climatics; Gaurav Rohilla, Manager – Product Sales, Voltas Limited; Girish Wadhera, Senior Manager VRF, Voltas Limited; Anil Yadav, Dy Manager, Daikin Air Conditioning India Pvt Ltd; Amit Sharma, Divisional Manager, Daikin Air Conditioning India Pvt Ltd; Ranjit Kumar, Sr Manager – VRV Business, Daikin Air Conditioning India Pvt Ltd.

The topics that were discussed during the seminar were on selection and design of VRF for commercial/residential application, control system and their impact on energy efficiency of VRV systems, hospital/commercial air conditioning and VRV systems and best practices on installation, commissioning and testing of VRF system.

On the occasion, Avinash Khemka, Chief Manager – HVAC, ICA India said, “VRFs are becoming popular because these are energy efficient as the refrigerant flow is regulated based on need. Also, these systems are less noisy as they use individual air handlers. The design and configuration is such that there’s less downtime when the system is under maintenance or is under repairing. This is one of the striking features of VRFs as this allows businesses to continue normal operation, in other centres while one is being serviced. In addition to these features, another important thing to highlight about VRFs is that these systems need less space in commercial buildings as most of these systems do not require ductwork while still keeping it comfortable.”

These cooling systems are ideal for commercial spaces. One can see the benefits are quite comprehensive once installed with their quite energy efficiency and uniform cooling. We need to pay more attention to AC systems and consider VRFs as one of the best alternative for cooling requirement of below 200 TR.