Variable Capacity Heat Pump RTF Sub-Committee March 27 , 2013

1. Variable Capacity Heat Pump RTF Sub-CommitteeMarch 27, 2013 Mira Vowles, P.E., CEM Emerging Technology Project Manager BPA Energy Efficiency

2. Meeting Topics • VC HP Overview (Mira) • School VRF System Case Study (Mira) • School VRF System Best Practices (Mira) • Mitsubishi VRF Integration & Training Resources (Mike) • Plus if time allows: • Other VRF research projects (all) • Topic suggestions for future meetings (all)

3. Variable Capacity Heat Pumps (VC HP = VRF + DHP) + Variable Refrigerant FlowHeat Pump System Ductless Heat Pumps

4. Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Systems • VRF systems, either heat-pump or heat-recovery models, provide heating and air-conditioning, with: • Inverter driven outdoor-unit compressors and condenser fans, providing improved part-load and low-ambient performance, • Multiple indoor-units with multi-speed fans, electronic expansion valves and integrated thermostats, • 3. Refrigerant piping network for heat transfer, • Integrated control system, and • Ventilation provided by VRF system, natural ventilation or a dedicated outside air system (DOAS).

5. VC HP Sub-Committee • Sub-Committee of the Regional Technical Forum (RTF) • 2. Purpose: develop and recommend VC HP measures with • high consensus methodology to estimate and verify electrical savings • specification for cost effective installations that ensures persistent savings • 3. Minutes and presentations are posted at: http://www.nwcouncil.org/energy/rtf/subcommittees/vchp/Default.htm

6. School VRF System Case Study • Baseline: unit heaters withelectric heat and no cooling • VRF & DOAS systems installed in 2010 • Electricity savings • 20% estimated • 9% actual

7. School VRF System Findings • No setback temperatures programmed • No holiday schedules programmed • No system integration • No ventilation system heat-recovery • Insufficient staff training • No remote service software, central control or alarms programmed

8. School VRF System Best Practices • System design and integration • How simple is the user interface? • Commissioning and training • System operation

9. System Design and Integration • Are VRF and ventilation systems integrated with other systems? • What needs to be centrally controlled (on/off, optimal start, holidays, etc.)? • What needs to be centrally monitored (space temperatures, SAT, CO2, etc.)? • Is the system cost effective on a life-cycle basis? • Is a VRF-HR system cost effective? • Is the ventilation system design optimized? • Were heat recovery, demand controlled ventilation and economizer considered? • Will operation only be during occupied periods?

10. How simple is the user interface? • Is dedicated staff, ongoing training or a service contract needed? • How will zones and setpoints be programmed? • How will indoor-unit fans operate –auto or continuously on? • How will indoor-units operate during defrost, when heat is needed and system is in cooling or when combination ratio is exceeded? • Are setback temperatures, holidays, optimal start and alarms programmed through the BAS? • If programmed through the VRF system, how many holidays can be programmed and how far in advance? • Does the VRF system clock change automatically for daylight savings?

11. Commissioning and Training • Who will commission the integrated system? • Who will train on the integrated system? • What school staff will be involved during commissioning? • Are critical points alarmed, monitored and trended? • Is the remote service software installed and up-to-date? • Are service contracts well understood, including who to call and what is included?

12. System Operation • Ensure adequate training and have a plan to document changes and to train new personnel. • Ensure there is a plan to monitor energy use, and to regularly check system operation. • Ensure there is a plan to back-up the system regularly.

13. Mitsubishi VRF Integration & Training Resources • What’s needed for BAS scheduling of VRF systems? • What hardware is needed? • What programming is needed and how is it backed-up? • What is a range of costs for integration? • Who typically commissions the integrated system? • Give examples of good integrated systems in the PNW. • How can on-site staff stay current with new software, refresh training and back-up their system? • Without BAS scheduling, how are holidays programmed, how many unique dates can be programmed and how far in advance? • Describe regional training resources (what kind of training, where, when and at what cost).

14. Mitsubishi VRF Integration & Training Resources Mike Cundiff Regional Commercial Manager

15. Next Meeting: 4/24/13 at 10 am

16. Daikin VRF Integration & Training Resources • What’s needed for BAS scheduling of VRF systems? • What hardware is needed? • What programming is needed and how is it backed-up? • What is a range of costs for integration? • Who typically commissions the integrated system? • Give examples of good integrated systems in the PNW. • How can on-site staff stay current with new software, refresh training and back-up their system? • Without BAS scheduling, how are holidays programmed, how many unique dates can be programmed and how far in advance? • Describe regional training resources (what kind of training, where, when and at what cost).