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Hitachi is the third largest VRF system manufacturer in the world.
Johnson Controls has invested $2.8B in acquiring 60% of Hitachi Air-Conditioning division, bringing to the North American market the best of both worlds: unmet VRF technology from a global VRF manufacturer via one of the most respected manufacturers of conventional HVAC systems and controls.
Johnson Controls has recently launched the Hitachi Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Gen II, the second generation of VRF HVAC equipment for the North American market.
Variable Refrigerant Flow systems are becoming more and more popular in the United States as the demand for zoning systems, green solutions, and energy-efficiency keep growing. In fact, VRF systems are the fastest growing segment in the American HVAC market.
Why?
VRF systems effectively balances comfort and efficiency in buildings by delivering just the right amount of heating and cooling to every space.
VRF technology achieves this balance by using DC inverter scroll compressors to save energy and avoid the wear and tear of frequent cycling. These compressors improve air conditioning efficiency by modulating refrigerant delivery to each specific zone to meet demand, and are capable of transferring heat from one zone to the other.
Hitachi VRF builds upon the game-changing innovations that make variable refrigerant flow systems the most flexible and energy-efficient HVAC solutions in the world.
With an expanded, re-engineered equipment line and groundbreaking technology, Hitachi VRF Gen II offers greater performance, more design freedom, new business opportunities and exceptional control.
Advanced technology enables cooling when the ambient outdoor temperature is as low as -10°F or as high as 122°F (-10°F – 75°F in simultaneous heating and cooling mode) — and heating when the ambient outdoor temperature is -13°F to 59°F (-11°F – 59°F in simultaneous heating and cooling mode).
With high-rise condos, apartments, and office buildings becoming smaller and more popular over time, the need for compact and exceptionally energy-efficient systems has increased, requiring manufacturers to develop solutions that provide individualized comfort with maximum design flexibility.
Hitachi Water Source VRF heat pump is optimal where space is valued and placement is challenging – such as coastal areas or extremely cold climates – because units are located indoors. The unit installation is simple even in tight spaces, with top and front piping options.
And flexibility cannot be compared to any other VRF solution available in the market.
All VRF indoor units are fully compatible with the new water source systems to meet your design needs.
The unified 6-, 8-, 10- 12-, 14-, 16- and 18-ton single module units offer the flexibility to be used as heat pump or heat recovery systems, and are available in 208/230V and 460V.
Hitachi offers a full line of Change-Over Box options, including Single-Port Change-Over Boxes in two sizes and Multi-Port Change-Over Boxes with 4,8 and 12 ports for ultimate flexibility in system design.
For you, that means:
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The H-Link Gateway offers you the options to integrate with VRF systems and VRF systems that are installed with the BACnet VRF Smart Gateway for DFS visibility on BACnet.
The H-Link Gateway can integrate directly with a VRF Smart Gateway for a DFS standalone BACnet application, providing you with easier and greater connectivity.
Research shows that temperature and humidity have direct impact on employees’ productivity.
When a room is too hot, employees’ level of concentration drops and they become more likely to feel sleepy. If a room is too cold, you have to deal with complaints and illnesses.
Hitachi VRF provides the exact temperature to keep comfort and focus.
In addition, quiet operation and energy efficiency increase the building value and contribute to LEED certification.
Bacteria thrive in warm environments, and inaccurate temperatures put the safe environment of hospitals and clinics at risk.
In addition, it generates discomfort to patients, doctors, and the staff, impacting either recovery or productivity.
Hitachi VRF solutions slow bacterial and viral growth and help maintain the temperature and humidity at the optimized levels recommended by ASHRAE, ensuring the environment safety.
Studies show that environmental factors make a significant difference in learning. Ambient temperature influences students’ capability of absorbing information and focusing on classroom tasks.
If a classroom is too hot or too cold, students’ brains keep reminding them to do something about it, generating cognitive challenges and impacting their motivation, if not also their health (with asthma, wheezing, etc.).
Hitachi VRF creates the perfect learning atmosphere and environment by keeping temperatures between 71 and 77 degrees Fahrenheint in classrooms all year long.
Air conditioning is more important for the hospitality industry reputation than you think.
Hotels that fail to provide good air conditioning for their guests have lower ratings and more complaints, as having a good AC system is a requirement for 7 out of 10 guests.
You most likely have been a hotel guest before and had to deal with a situation in which the AC was noisy or didn’t get cold enough, ruining your good night’s sleep.
Hitachi VRF provides the guest with unmet experience from the moment of the check-in until it is time to travel back, keeping all floors at a comfortable temperature and creating the comfort of home away from home.
Government buildings have an interesting impact on how visitors perceive the public system, and reflect the care and importance the institution gives to the people.
Inappropriate air conditioning temperatures are a sign of disrespect with employees and a disservice to visitors, and lack of efficiency and loud HVAC systems give the impression the public system is archaic and slow.
Hitachi VRF makes every individual – employees, public figures, and civilians – feel welcome to the building, and shows that the Government makes intelligent investments, caring not only about the public contribution but also about themes such as global warming.
If you need elite-level VRF integration with your building automation system, then the new Johnson Controls VRF Smart Gateway is the solution.
The VRF Smart Gateway was created for fast and easy integration of Hitachi VRF technology with BACnet™ Building Automation Systems (BAS).
VRF Smart Gateway uses Ethernet to discover all point data from Hitachi VRF Indoor and Outdoor Units, making all data available for every component across the entire system 24/7, and accessible via laptop, tablet or smartphone.
For the first time ever, the entire system – including all Hitachi VRF components – is accessible and controllable through the BAS interface.
From initial design to installation and maintenance, we have your back. Our technical support can answer all of questions and provide quick and complete guidance.
With us, you will receive unequaled customer support from an impressive team of experts that starts at your local level and extends to Hitachi’s global team.
We are committed to ongoing training to stay up to date with all VRF market innovations, and dedicated to service your equipment using the most advanced tools and techniques available, achieving the best possible results in the shortest time.
But our goal is to go beyond, equipping YOU to efficiently design and install Hitachi VRF Systems. That’s why we have several training classes available for you through the Midwest Machinery University. Check it out!
VRF in General
Hitachi VRF Products
Installation/Start-Up
Operation
VRF in General
According to the ASHRAE handbook, the average life expectancy range for air cooled VRF systems is 15 to 20 years.
Yes, for either air source or water source VRF systems.
When a VRF system operates at partial load, the heat transfer over the coils in the indoor and outdoor units is enhanced. For example, operating at 50% capacity, the system would deliver 50% of its maximum capacity, though using coil surface area of a system twice as large. This drastically improves the efficiency of the system, especially at partial load.
Hitachi VRF Products
Oil traps are not required on VRF systems due to low discharge from compressors. A periodic oil recovery cycle is automatically performed to recover any oil discharge into the piping network.
Yes. During the cold-weather seasons, VRF condensing units may accumulate frost buildup during heating mode. To combat this, a defrost cycle begins by temporarily switching a segment of the overall system to cooling mode, thus allowing discharge vapor to melt the accumulation of frost on the condenser coils. This ability ensures constant comfort for occupants within the building.
64 total VRF systems, up to 160 Indoor units, and up to 200 total Indoor and Outdoor units.
Installation/Start-Up
Oil return capability is impacted, which can result in compressor failure in the long term. On the flip side, if the piping diameter is too small, capacity reduction and pressure issues could occur.
When the outdoor unit is located above the indoor unit, the maximum vertical distance is 360 ft.
Generally speaking, it is recommended to install isolation valves to accommodate future unit repair or replacement.
Yes. An ancillary heat source, such as an electric duct heater or baseboard heat, can be energized for backup, emergency, or supplementary heating purposes.
Operation
Cooling: -10oF
Simultaneous heating and cooling: -10oF
Heating:-13oF
No. Unlike others, Hitachi VRF will continue to operate outside of published range, albeit at a derate. However, once ambient conditions are exceeded for prolonged periods of time, the systems may eventually reach conditions where the outdoor unit will stop on a high or low pressure sensor for safety.
All controllers have a backup memory. After power restoration, units can restart in the mode prior to the power failure.
Yes, an individual compressor can be locked out.
Are you working on a project that could use VRF? Want to meet or speak with one of our VRF Ninjas? Looking for VRF parts or service? How about just saving serious money and improving your system?
If you answer is “YES” to any of these questions, give us a shout! We’re ready to lead you to the future with Hitachi. Use the form below to drop us an email, or call us at 636-537-1919.
We promise to reply in one business day.
Architectural changes such as room additions and remodels have more impact in HVAC than most people think. Many time, this impact includes the cost and the hassle of installing ducts.
Well, not anymore. The space and energy-saving Y Series Duct-Free Mini-Split single-zone air conditioners and heat pumps are the perfect comfort solution for room additions, remodels, and other spaces.
In addition to eliminating the cost and hassle of installing ducts, they let you dial in the exact temperature and humidity you need. By using no more than the necessary energy to heat or cool the space, they help save up to 30% more energy than central air conditioning systems, and are much easier to install.
If you have been to a room that is either “too warm” or “too cold”, you know how uncomfortable it can be. The Duct-Free Mini-Split turns problem rooms into cozy spaces.
Heating or cooling new spaces does not have to be expensive. In fact, ducts can limit your design freedom.
The Duct-Free Mini-Split is cost-effective, perfect for individualized comfort.
Attics and garage are spaces less frequented, and it is a waste of energy to cool or to heat the areas when there is no one there.
The Duct-Free Mini-Split allows you to use air conditioning only when the space is in use.
The Duct-Free Mini-Split will add heating or cooling to an older home without changing its charming design or adding noise to the space.
Fill out the form below, and enjoy your download!