At Polar Bear Air Conditioning, we’re always investing in training and development as one of our core values is continuous improvement. We love learning about innovations in home comfort so we can, in turn, do our jobs more effectively and improve our customers’ quality of life.
Consequently, we recently sent two of our top commercial air conditioning technicians from our shop in George Town, Grand Cayman, to Miami, FL, for Mitsubishi VRF training. But before we talk about their experience, let’s take a look at what exactly a VRF system is and how it works.
How Does a Mitsubishi VRF System Work?
First introduced in Japan in 1982, Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems (VRF) started to become popular in the United States in the early 2000s as a more efficient and affordable method of heating and cooling commercial spaces.
The technology involved in VRF systems is quite intricate and sophisticated, consisting of several indoor units and one or more outdoor condensing units. VRF systems can adjust their speed as more or less power is needed, thereby affecting the amount of refrigerant delivered by the compressor and metering devices based on the thermostat demand — hence the name “variable refrigerant flow.” So how does this actually work? Each indoor fan coil will have a thermostat controller that sends instructions to the main controller in order to satisfy the cooling or heating demands of its specific zone. The main controller then sends this information to the inverter in the condensing unit. An inverter board in simple terms is an electronic circuit that increases and decreases the speed of the compressor-based information it receives from a controller. Additionally, certain VRF systems — like Mitsubishi’s VRF system — can even heat and cool different zones simultaneously.
This is accomplished by using a three-pipe system as opposed to the two-pipe systems often employed in smaller residential or commercial equipment. Traditional HVAC equipment has two refrigerant pipes, one is the liquid line and the other is the suction line. The three pipe system has an additional discharge line when simultaneous heating is required. Using a branch circuit controller, the heat removed from areas that require cooling can be used in the areas that need to be heated supplied by the discharge line. As a result, these systems can provide superior efficiency, reduced energy consumption, and more.
Benefits of VRF Systems
Superior Energy Efficiency
By varying the compressor speed and accurately providing the desired temperatures, VRF systems offer superior energy savings. Not only that, but since they don’t require air ducts, there is no energy loss through the ductwork, either.
Customizable
As opposed to traditional HVAC systems, VFR systems offer customized temperature settings in different zones; they can even heat and cool various areas in a building at the same time.
Quiet
Since VFR systems operate at low volumes, they won’t disturb building occupants like older HVAC models.
Flexibility
VRF systems come in a variety of sizes, so they can be used in an array of applications; they’re especially useful for buildings with limited space.
Mitsubishi VRF Experts
When it comes to understanding new and improved technology, our team of experts is always looking to increase their knowledge base and enhance their skills. They’re passionate about continuing their education, which is why our team went to Miami for the Mitsubishi VRF training. Here’s a firsthand account of the training session from Rohan Dudhnath, one of the techs who participated:
“My experience was amazing! It was one of the best training courses I have been to. The training gave us a complete understanding of how the system works, its design, versatility, and the potential benefits it can provide. We were provided with literature and software to go along with our hands-on experience. The instructors were knowledgeable and great to work with. With this new technology, the sky’s the limit. The software will allow us to do precision designs for new projects, and so much more!”
That enthusiasm mirrors just how we feel about training and education here at Polar Bear Air Conditioning. While our entire team has a strong foundation of knowledge, skill, and experience, we believe in constantly building on that foundation and never settling for okay. We’re always trying to do better! We regularly provide employees with in-house training, as well as external training opportunities, and we’re always willing to share our knowledge with the local community.
Check out this quick slideshow video to get a better idea of why technician training is so important to us.
To find out more about what our well-trained team can do for you, don’t hesitate to give Polar Bear Air Conditioning a call or fill out a contact form today.
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