VRF or chilled water · 3 min read
VRF or chilled water?
Two ways to cool a commercial building, and the inputs that decide between them.
VRF
VRF pipes refrigerant from outdoor units to indoor units in each zone. It suits small and mid-size buildings, phased fit-outs and tenant-by-tenant areas: no plant room or water system, zone-by-zone control, heat-recovery systems that heat and cool at once, and a lower first cost at that scale.
Its limits: refrigerant runs through occupied rooms, so small rooms are checked against refrigerant concentration limits (EN 378 or ISO 5149). The manufacturer limits pipe lengths and height differences, and outdoor units need roof space and lose capacity at high ambient.
Chilled water
Chilled water uses central chillers and pumps serving air handling units and fan coils. It suits large buildings, long operating hours and central fresh-air treatment, keeps refrigerant in the plant, allows standby chillers and can connect to district cooling where it exists. It needs more plant and riser space, a higher first cost and water treatment.
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