Until fairly recently, variable refrigerant flow systems were strictly for commercial application.
When my husband and I needed to replace the heating and cooling system in our home in Springfield, Missouri, we looked into all different options.
We were unhappy with our forced air system and didn’t want another furnace and air conditioner combination. After consulting with a local area HVAC contractor, we decided on a VRF system. This innovative option provides a great deal of unique benefits. We liked that it’s a modular setup which allows for easy expansion or replacement of components. The equipment is quite compact and the system was installed without any major renovation project or mess. The indoor air handlers are streamlined, lightweight and unobtrusive. They offer the advantages of zoned adjustment and customized settings in each room. There is no need to heat or cool empty rooms or get by with chilly or overheated conditions. With the wide variation of weather in Springfield, the precision control of the VRF system is especially helpful. There are times when we require cooling during the day and need to switch to cooling overnight. Another major perk of the VRF is the automatic adjustment of refrigerant flow. The system supplies only the exact amount of refrigerant necessary to achieve ideal comfort in each zone. This feature saves on energy consumption, avoids temperature fluctuations and keeps running costs to a minimum. Another unique perk of VRFs is the capacity for simultaneous heating and cooling. We can heat one room while cooling another. Plus, the system will utilize heat from the cooling process and use it for those rooms requiring heating.