Mitsubishi
Electric has launched the UK’s first viable R32 solution for large-scale air
conditioning with the new range of City Multi Hybrid VRF (Variable Refrigerant
Flow) products.
This
brings all of the benefits of VRF air conditioning in R32 format to deliver a
system with a significantly lower global warming potential (GWP) than existing
solutions.
“There
have already been over 500 Hybrid VRF systems installed across Europe since we
launched five years ago and we believe this R32 version will increase the
market share for this unique VRF solution,” explains Mark Grayston, Mitsubishi Electric Product
Marketing Manager for the company’s air conditioning systems.
“Not
only can Hybrid VRF help remove the need for leak detection, this R32 version
delivers the low GWP benefits that customers are now searching for.”
As
part of the F-Gas Regulations, the construction industry has been looking for
air conditioning systems that deliver high operational efficiency whilst
minimising the global warming potential of the refrigerants used within these
systems. Hybrid VRF delivers a familiar, proven solution to offer businesses a
commercially viable alternative to R410A systems.
Existing
VRF units use R410A which has a GWP of 2,088, whilst the newly adopted
refrigerant, R32 has a reduced GWP of 675, two-thirds less than R410A.
Whilst
several manufacturers have introduced R32 models in the room and packaged air
conditioning range, no-one has yet introduced a UK model that provides a
solution for large VRF systems … until now.
“We
already have split air conditioning models on R32 and have introduced Hybrid
VRF so that customers have a complete range of R32 solutions regardless of the
building or situation,” adds Grayston.
“Coupled
with this is the rapid price rises of R410A month by month which places a
strain on traditional VRF systems so we want to ensure that both customers and
installers not only have an alternative, but also get the added benefit of
increased performance and advanced controls.”
Hybrid
VRF is suitable for almost any commercial building and has already been
installed in a huge variety of applications from offices, hotels, residential
accommodation, showrooms, care homes, public houses and much more, with the
system delivering all the design and installation flexibility of traditional
VRF with comfort levels normally associated with 4-pipe fan coil systems.
“We’ve
seen particular growth in Hybrid VRF sales in both the office and hotel sectors
and with this R32 version we have sought to answer one of the hottest topics in
the UK air conditioning industry on how to tackle low GWP in larger systems,”
adds Grayston. “Hybrid VRF is also designed to offer customers a future-proof
solution that delivers advanced efficiency with improved corporate social
responsibility.”
The
Hybrid solution is fundamentally different from traditional VRF systems as it
uses water throughout the majority of the pipework to transfer simultaneous
heating and cooling to different rooms yet still offers two-pipe heat recovery,
lower annual maintenance costs and the full flexibility of design, operation
and advanced controllability that the company’s systems are synonymous for.
At
the heart of the new system is an HBC (Hybrid Branch Controller) box, which is
connected to the outdoor unit via traditional refrigerant piping. Between the
HBC box and the indoor fan coils, the system uses water piping but still offers
high sensible cooling and stable room temperatures for maximum comfort.
“Legislation
is also now demanding that leak detection equipment is installed alongside VRF
air conditioning when it is used in occupied spaces and this calls for
additional equipment costs and added risk, as well higher maintenance bills”,
explains Grayston. “This new system does away with the need for leak detection
whilst also delivering higher sensible cooling throughout the building”.
For
other applications where leak detection is not needed, Hybrid VRF delivers
comfortable off-coil temperatures, allowing even more buildings to take
advantage of manageable phased installation through the system’s modular
design.
Visit the website for further
information or download the infographic at the company’s dedicated digital
library.
