VRF vs Chiller – Which is better?

If you are looking for a cooling solution for your commercial spaces or factories, you must wonder which is a better choice- a VRF or a chiller? The right cooling solution is necessary to ensure productivity and maintain product quality. However, both equipment require significant investment. Therefore, evaluating both options closely is critical. In this article, we have closely compared VRFs and chillers and found a winner at the end.

 

What is a VRF?

VRF, or variable refrigerant flow system, is an advanced version of the traditional HVAC. It is a heating and cooling solution used in commercial spaces. It uses refrigerant as the medium for heat transfusion. VRFs give control to adjust the temperature of individual rooms or zones.

VRFs have several real-world applications. They are used in hotels, multi-residential properties, healthcare facilities, villas, townhouses and office buildings.

 

What is a chiller?

Chillers are highly energy-efficient, centralized cooling systems which use water as a medium of heat transfer. Usually, there are three kinds of chillers-water-based, air-based, and geothermal coolers. Both are widely used for industrial purposes.

While some applications of chillers are similar to the VRFs. However, chillers are more versatile, and companies from various industries prefer chillers over VRFs. Laboratories, dairy processing facilities, water treatment plants, frozen food storage units, power plants, and the textile industry are a few examples of industries that are utilizing chillers at their facilities.

 

Why are chillers the superior choice? Five advantages

Multiple industries are using chillers. But why? What sets chillers apart from VRFs, and makes them a superior choice? To answer these questions we have listed five benefits of chillers.

 

1. Performance: Chillers perform better than VRFs, especially while cooling large and spacious rooms. They are a practical solution because chillers have more cooling capacity. They can maintain amicable temperature throughout the building without having to install separate air conditioners in each zone.
2. Maintenance: Chillers are easier to clean and maintain as compared to VRFs since the latter has more parts. Chillers do not require frequent servicing. Hence, chillers do not incur excessive maintenance costs for the facility.
3. Sustainability: Chillers are energy-efficient and consume less energy. Moreover, some modern chillers have a new feature, electronically commutated fans. It can significantly lower energy consumption. Therefore, installing chillers enables the facility and commercial spaces to become more eco-friendly and adhere to environmental laws.
4. Cost efficiency: Although the initial installation cost for chillers is high, in the long run, you get value for money. Chillers are a cost-efficient cooling solution as they consume less energy, therefore reducing operational costs. Additionally, due to its low maintenance cost, chillers are an efficient solution.
5. Improved indoor air quality: Chillers have a separate air handling system, which keeps polluted air and odor away from the clean air. Hence, chillers enhance the indoor air quality and make it a safer environment for the employees working in such facilities.

 

VRF v/s Chillers: Who wins the debate?

After reviewing the benefits and the areas of applications, it is safe to say that chillers win the debate. Saving operational costs is a vital goal of corporations, factories, and businesses. Installing a chiller gives better results at lower operational cost. Hence, chillers are an asset to the industries. Finally, chillers have a longer lifespan and do not need frequent replacement.

Tempcon has a legacy of 40 years in industrial cooling solutions. We offer state-of-the-art cooling equipment, which is energy-efficient, cost-saving, and good for the environment.

 

FAQs on VRF v/s Chillers?

 

Do chillers perform better in extreme weather conditions compared to VRFs?

VRFs do not perform very well under extreme cold conditions. These may need additional measures to maintain consistent performance. However, chillers remain unaffected by cold outdoor temperatures and offer uniform cooling without extra support.

 

What are commercial chillers used for?

Commercial chillers maintain a cool temperature in large spaces and buildings to prevent them from overheating. It can be used in manufacturing units, food and beverage facilities, medical equipment storage, and power generation plants.

 

Are chillers a better choice than VRFs?

While chillers and VRFs have merits and demerits, and sometimes the choice can depend on the application, chillers are a better, modern-day solution. They have more cooling capacity. Chillers are also more energy efficient, therefore, the operational cost lessens in the long run.