Residential and Commercial Variable Capacity and Variable Refrigerant Flow (V

Definition of Variable Capacity Air Source Heat Pumps and VRF

Inverter-driven air source heat pumps and air conditioning (A/C) systems utilize a variable frequency drive (VFD) to m
output to match changing demand. Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems also utilize an inverter-driven compresso
capability to modulate the flow of refrigerant to each individual fan coil within the building. Some VRF systems also
simultaneous heating and cooling across zones through heat recovery at a central distribution point. This study cove
zone systems for residential and small commercial applications, as well as VRF systems that have the capability of sim
cooling.

Technology Definition
Baseline Non-modulating air source heat pump (A
Multi-split heat pump systems Multiple zone mini-split or multi-head heat pu
Variable refrigerant flow heat pump systems
Multiple zone variable refrigerant flow (VR

VRF HP with HR Multiple zone VRF HP systems with heat recov

Table 3-6
Summary of Incremental Equipment and Labor Costs by Technology
System Type Incremental Costs per Ton
Multi-split $2,360
VRF $2,860
VRF with heat recovery (HR) $7,230

Table 3-5
Summary of Installed Costs by Technology
System Type Average Costs per Ton

Baseline $1,370

Multi-split $3,730

VRF $4,230

VRF with heat recovery $8,600

Table 3-2
Summary of Installed Costs Provided by Manufacturers
Manufacturer Multi-Split ($/ton)
 1 $3,330
2 $4,000
3 $3,780
4 $3,800

Data Summary and Calculation of

Data Sources
Year of Data Study
< 2011 EES study for BPA

< 2011 PNNL study for GSA

< 2011 EMS Case Studies

2011 Efficiency Maine Case Studies

2011 Energy Efficiency Emerging
Technologies (E3T)
2012 SCE13HC036
2014 NEEP Incremental Cost Study

Feb-16 Manufacturer 1
Feb-16 Manufacturer 2
Feb-16 Manufacturer 3
Feb-16 Manufacturer 4
Average Installed System Full Cost

Average Installed System Full Cost With Cold Weather Adder

Incremental Cost Results

Cold Weather Incremental Cost Results

Cost Trends
It's expected that costs will reduced another 5% to 15% over the next 1 to 2 years
Competition between the major manufacturers in recent history has been the biggest driver of cost reductions
Moving forward it is expected that cost reductions will be driven by the move to manufacturer equipment domestically compared to
All manufacturers agree that costs have nearly plateaued in recent months
Additional cost reductions will come from familiarity of the installing contractor

Cost Factors
A wall unit is less expensive than a cassette by about 20%. Couple of different reasons, one being that these are the most commo
bring. A lot of flexibility being brought to the market in the type of indoor units available

Approximately 30% adder for the heat recovery option

Indoor units usually account for approximately 40% of the total cost
The number of zones per ton is the biggest driver of cost per ton
One of the incremental cost drivers is that mini-splits are usally flared while VRF are usually torched which last a lot longer
The accessibility of the refrigerent line paths and how the outdoor air is delt with are the biggest drivers of cost

Table 3-3. Manufacturer 1 Installed Costs

System Type Tonnage
Multi-split 1.7
Multi-split 4
Multi-split w/ cold weather capability 1.7
Multi-split w/ cold weather capability 4
VRF N.D.
VRF with HR N.D.

Table 3-4 Manufacturer 3 Installed Costs

System Type Tonnage
Multi-split 3
VRF 4
VRF 10
VRF with HR 16
acity and Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Air Source Heat Pumps and A/C

/C) systems utilize a variable frequency drive (VFD) to modulate the compressor
VRF) systems also utilize an inverter-driven compressor, but additionally have the
al fan coil within the building. Some VRF systems also have the ability to provide
ecovery at a central distribution point. This study covers inverter-driven multiple-
s, as well as VRF systems that have the capability of simultaneous heating and

Definition
Non-modulating air source heat pump (ASHP) systems
Multiple zone mini-split or multi-head heat pump (HP) systems

Multiple zone variable refrigerant flow (VRF) HP systems

Multiple zone VRF HP systems with heat recovery HR capabilities

d Labor Costs by Technology

Cold Weather Performance Cost Adders
$2,990 Cold Weather Adder
$3,580 Heat Recovery (HR) Adder on Full Cost
$8,690 HR Adder on Incremental Cost

s by Technology
Notes VRF Labor costs $/Ton

Average from case study and published data Efficiency Maine $1,795

Average from manufacturer data Daikin $2,519

Average from manufacturer, and secondary
Average $2,160
data
Average from manufacturer data, and case
studies

talled Costs Provided by Manufacturers

VRF ($/ton) VRF w/HR ($/ton)
 $8,800 $10,600
$5,000 $7,000
$5,480 $10,330
$6,120 $8,860

Data Summary and Calculation of Results

es Installed Costs
Location Baseline ($/Ton) Multi-split ($/Ton) VRF ($/Ton)
http://rtf.nwcouncil.org/subcommittees/vchp/BPA_VRF_Measure_Report_Final_R1.pdf
$950 $1,548

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/mediaId/197399/fileName/GPG_Variable_Refrigerant_Flow_12-2012.action
$0 $0

http://www.emsenergy.com/uploads/pdfs/West-Energy-Management-Congress-VFD-Can-Save-30-of-Your-HVAC-Cost-June-2013.pdf
$950

Direct program data $3,665 $4,186

http://e3tnw.org/ItemDetail.aspx?id=200 $0 $0

Could not find online but have document $1,355 $2,100

http://www.neep.org/incremental-cost-study-phase-3-report $1,285

$3,330 $8,800
$4,000 $5,000
$3,780 $5,480
$3,800 $6,120
$1,370 $3,730 $4,230

$4,360 $4,950
$2,360 $2,860
$2,990 $3,580

Cost Trends
1 to 2 years
een the biggest driver of cost reductions
e move to manufacturer equipment domestically compared to that shipped from overseas.
onths
ontractor

Cost Factors
different reasons, one being that these are the most common type of unit. In part likely because of recognition they
or units available

while VRF are usually torched which last a lot longer

is delt with are the biggest drivers of cost

3. Manufacturer 1 Installed Costs

Zones Installed Cost ($/ton)
2 $3,750
3 $2,900
2 $4,560
3 $3,290
N.D. $8,800
N.D. $10,600

Table 3-4 Manufacturer 3 Installed Costs

Zones Equipment Cost ($/ton) Labor cost ($/ton) Installed Cost ($/ton)
3 $1,751 $2,028 $3,780
4 $2,811 $2,064 $4,875
6 $2,612 $3,462 $6,075
14 $3,717 $6,612 $10,330
Adders
17%
203%
253%
VRF W/ HR ($/Ton)

$6,195

$2,700

$10,600
$7,000
$10,330
$8,860
$8,600

$10,060
$7,230
$8,690
Cost ($/ton)
VRF with Heat Recovery Data Collection

Unit Type Type Source Date

VRF W/H Rec Report SCE13HC036 CA working paper May-12
VRF W/H Rec Case study EMaine project
VRF W/H Rec Case study EMaine project
 Model Equipment cost
Region Manufacturer Number Labor Rate per ton Labor per ton
CA ND ND

$6,008 $1,795
 Total
Installed Cost
Total installed cost per ton
$2,700
$339,544 $4,588
$710,000 $7,802
 VRF Data Collection

Yellow cells are averaged data

Unit
Type Type Source Date Region Tons Size kBTU/hr Zones
VRF Case Study Energy Management Solutions 2008 MN 50 28
VRf Case Study Energy Management Solutions 2009 MN 15 12
VRF Case Study Energy Management Solutions 2010 MN 37.5 11
VRF Case Study Energy Management Solutions 2011 MN 200 98
VRF Case Study Energy Management Solutions 2011 MN 38.7 20
Average of EMS case studies
VRF Case study GSA VRF report 2011
VRF Case study GSA VRF report 2012
VRF Case study GSA VRF report 2012
VRF Case study GSA VRF report 2007
VRF Case study GSA VRF report 2008
VRF Case study GSA VRF report 2012
Average of GSA case studies
VRF AVG GSA VRF report 2012
VRF AVG GSA VRF report 2012
VRF AVG GSA VRF report 2012
Average of GSA VRF costs
VRF case study EMaine project 74
VRF online http://e3tnw.org/ItemDetail.aspx?id=200

Data not used in Summary results

VRF Spreadsheet SCE13HC036 CA working paper May-12 CA 6 72

VRF report CAL-TF-W-07152015: CA Technical Fo Sep-14 CA

 Total
Total installed Installed Cost Incremental Incremental Equipment cost Labor per
cost per ft^2 cost per sq ft Cost per ton ton
$ 138,000.00
$ 22,500.00
$ 106,000.00
$ 240,000.00
$ 128,600.00

$ 23.20 $ 2.68
$ 16.50 $ 3.50
$ 33.00 $ 6.50
11%
13%
25%

$ 24.20 $ 1.20
$ 24.20 $ 3.90
$ 24.20 $ 5.70

309735 26.473076923
18

$1,940.00 $160.00
 Total Installed Incremental
Cost per ton Cost Per Ton Incremental Cost Baseline
$ 2,760.00 boilers and window ac
$ 1,500.00 window ac, no heat
$ 2,826.67 RTU AC with electric heat
$ 1,200.00 window AC, electric heat
$ 3,324.07 Packaged AC with boiler
$ 2,322.15
$ - $ - Packaged VAV
$ - $ - Packaged VAV
$ - $ - Packaged VAV

$ - Packaged VAV
$ - $ - Chilled water VAV
$ - $ - Packaged VAV
$ - $ - Packaged Cnst Vol RTUs
$ -
$ 4,185.61
$ -

$2,100.00 $ 469.80 Packaged VAV baseline

Packaged VAV DX Multi-Zone with Gas
$ 547.00 Reheat
$ 1,067.83
 Notes Data source

EES consulting
BPA
G pelser president of Hunter Davisson
Goetzler 2007
Amarnath and Blatt 2008
C Richardson at Daikin

GSA average of all sources

GSA average of all sources
GSA average of all sources

All from CA SCE13 work paper spreadsheet analysis. RS Means and interviews
Why are these costs so low? These do not seem valid.
No data on size, non-residential interviews
Multi-Split Data Collection

Unit Type Source Type

Data not used in summary
AC Split Unit-< 5 Tons (55 kBtuh)-14 SEER spreadsheet
AC Split Unit-< 5 Tons (55 kBtuh)-15 SEER spreadsheet
AC Split Unit- 5 Tons (55-64 kBtuh)-14 SEER spreadsheet
AC Split Unit- 5 Tons (55-64 kBtuh)-15 SEER spreadsheet
HP Split Unit-< 5 Tons (55 kBtuh)-14 SEER 8.5 HSPF spreadsheet
HP Split Unit-< 5 Tons (55 kBtuh)-15 SEER 9 HSPF spreadsheet
HP Split Unit-5 Tons (55-64 kBtuh)-14 SEER 8.5 HSPF spreadsheet
HP Split Unit-5 Tons (55-64 kBtuh)-15 SEER 9 HSPF spreadsheet
 Source Date Region Tons kBtu/hr
used in summary
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training Mar-14 CA <5 55
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training Mar-14 CA <5 55
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training Mar-14 CA 5 60
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training Mar-14 CA 5 60
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training Mar-14 CA <5 55
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training Mar-14 CA <5 55
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training Mar-14 CA 5 55-64
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training Mar-14 CA 5 55-64
Incremental Cost Per Ton Data from

$202 CA IOU Work Paper

$213 CA IOU Work Paper
$112 CA IOU Work Paper
$117 CA IOU Work Paper
$148 CA IOU Work Paper
$148 CA IOU Work Paper
$100 CA IOU Work Paper
$103 CA IOU Work Paper
Baseline Data
Yellow cells were calculated by averaging data

Unit Type (Packaged) Source Type

Title 24 baseline single-zone Packaged DX Air Conditioner

with gas heating Report

Title 24 baseline single-zone Packaged DX Heat Pump Report

Title 24 baseline multi-zone Packaged DX Variable Air

Volume (VAV) Air Conditioner with gas boiler and reheat Report

Baseline Report
Baseline Report

Packaged air source heat pump small Navigant - sam

Packaged air source heat pump small Navigant - sam
Packaged air source heat pump small Navigant - sam

RTUs case study

code compliant baseline

VAV

Data not used in summary

AC Pkg Unit-< 5 Tons (55kBtuh)-14 SEER CA IOU Work P
AC Pkg Unit-< 5 Tons (55kBtuh)-15 SEER CA IOU Work P
AC Pkg Unit-5 Tons (55-64 kBtuh)-14 SEER CA IOU Work P
AC Pkg Unit-5 Tons (55-64 kBtuh)-15 SEER CA IOU Work P
AC Unit-6to8.5 Tons (65-109 kBtuh)-11.5 EER CA IOU Work P
AC Unit-6to8.5 Tons (65-109 kBtuh)-12 EER CA IOU Work P
AC Unit-10 Tons (110-134 kBtuh)-11.5 EER CA IOU Work P
AC Unit-10 Tons (110-134 kBtuh)-12 EER CA IOU Work P
AC Unit-12to17 Tons (135-239 kBtuh)-11.5 EER CA IOU Work P
AC Unit-12to17 Tons (135-239 kBtuh)-12 EER CA IOU Work P
AC Unit-20to60 Tons (240-759 kBtuh)-10.5 EER CA IOU Work P
AC Unit-20to60 Tons (240-759 kBtuh)-10.8 EER CA IOU Work P
AC Unit->60 Tons (760 kBtuh)-10.2 EER CA IOU Work P
HP Pkg Unit-< 5 Tons (55 kBtuh)-14 SEER 8.0 HSPF CA IOU Work P
HP Pkg Unit-< 5 Tons (55 kBtuh)-15 SEER 8.5 HSPF CA IOU Work P
HP Pkg Unit-5 Tons (55-64 kBtuh)-14 SEER 8.0 HSPF CA IOU Work P
HP Pkg Unit-5 Tons (55-64 kBtuh)-15 SEER 8.5 HSPF CA IOU Work P
HP Unit-6to8.5 Tons (65-109 kBtuh)-11.5 EER 3.4 COP CA IOU Work P
HP Unit-6to8.5 Tons (65-109 kBtuh)-12 EER 3.4 COP CA IOU Work P
HP Unit-10 Tons (110-134 kBtuh)-11.5 EER 3.4 COP CA IOU Work P
HP Unit-10 Tons (110-134 kBtuh)-12 EER 3.4 COP CA IOU Work P
HP Unit-12to17 Tons (135-239 kBtuh)-11.5 EER 3.2 COP CA IOU Work P
HP Unit-12to17 Tons (135-239 kBtuh)-12 EER 3.2 COP CA IOU Work P
HP Unit-20 Tons (240 kBtuh)-10.8 EER 3.2 COP CA IOU Work P
 Heating
Date Region System Tons kBtu/hr

25-Mar-12 CA gas fired 5

25-Mar-12 CA hp 5

25-Mar-12 CA Gas boiler and 105

2011
2011

2014 3
2014 4
2014 5

74
2016 NW

2013

CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA <5

CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA <5
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA 5
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA 5
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA 6-8.5
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA 6-8.5
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA 10
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA 10
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA 12.0-17.0
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA 12.0-17.0
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA 20-60
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA 20-60
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA >60
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA <5
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA <5
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA 5
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA 5
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA 6-8.5
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA 6-8.5
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA 10
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA 10
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA 12.0-17.0
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA 12.0-17.0
CA IOU Work Paper Mar-14 CA 20
 Equipment Labor per Installed Cost Total installed
Zones EER cost per ton ton per Ton cost Average

Single $ 1,000.00 $ 265.00 $ 1,265.00

Single $ 1,000.00 $ 240.00 $ 1,240.00

Multi $ 1,400.00 $ 160.00 $ 1,560.00

$ 1,355.00
$ 700.00
$ 1,200.00
$ 950.00
$921.15 $ 305.67 $ 1,226.82 $3,680
$1,065.03 $ 229.25 $ 1,294.28 $5,177
$1,151.35 $ 183.40 $ 1,334.76 $6,674
$ 1,285.29
$ 3,664.99 $ 271,209
$ -
$ 22.40
$ 20.30
$ 18.50
$ -

55 $ 1,063.20
55 $ 1,161.00
55-64 $ 559.67
55-64 $ 587.22
65-109 $ 559.67
65-109 $ 587.22
110-134 $ 559.67
110-134 $ 587.22
135-239 $ 555.27
135-239 $ 572.02
240-759 $ 711.74
240-759 $ 765.86
760 $ 699.28
55 $ 741.80
55 $ 741.80
55-64 $ 501.97
55-64 $ 516.16
65-109 $ 617.36
65-109 $ 658.29
110-134 $ 617.36
110-134 $ 658.29
135-239 $ 555.27
135-239 $ 572.02
240 $ 711.74
$ 660.88
 Notes

Averaged from RS means and interviews.

RS Means: 23 74 33.10 1140, 5 ton
cooling, 112 MBH heating

Averaged from RS means and interviews.

RS Means:23 74 33.10 1310, Electic cool,
electric heat 5 ton

Averaged from RS means and interviews.

RS Means:23 74 33.10 7130, multizone,
cool/heat, VAV, 105 ton cooling

$ 842.77

$ 621.99
$ 625.43

$ 627.19
 Source

SCE13HC036 CA working paper

SCE13HC036 CA working paper

SCE13HC036 CA working paper

EES 2011 study for BPA

EES 2011 study for BPA

2014 NEEP Incremental Cost Study

2014 NEEP Incremental Cost Study
2014 NEEP Incremental Cost Study

EMaine project
http://e3tnw.org/ItemDetail.aspx?id=200

GSA VRF report http://www.gsa.gov/portal/mediaId/169771/fileName/GPG_VRF_Report_-_FINAL_DRAFT_4-16-13.action

Packaged AC 5 tons or less

Packaged AC greater than 5 tons

Packaged HP 5 tons or less

Packaged HP greater than 5 tons

TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
TRM100_nonres AC and HP Units_training
DOE small commercial as of may 16 2012
Source: https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/product.aspx/productid/77
IECC 2012 page C41
Rule of Thumb and Market Trends

Rule of thumb for square footage conversions to tonnage: 400

Sources
Greg Hasselback of Mitsubishi
Bonneville Power Association VRF report
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/calculating-cooling-loads
http://www.sawnee.com/content/hvac
http://www.achrnews.com/articles/86221-rules-of-thumb-for-troubleshooting

Comments

A lot of folks discussing that this ROT will apply only to older buildings or buildings in warmer climates. The
industry trend is to move towards a 600 sq ft per ton ROT, and potentially even higher for colder climates
and or newer, better insulated and efficient buildings.

Market Trends
The cost of electricity versus the cost of natural gas has hurt the market in recent months
Soon smaller sized "micro-VRF systems" will be coming to market for residential and small commercial applications in the under
The market is currently mostly retrofit applications
Still a lot of potential in colder climates with the growing availability of cold weather designed systems
NYC is the number 1 VRF market in the country followed by CA. A big part of this is the availability of space
Advancements in the combination of ducted and ductless indoor units may help reduce costs in the future
 sq ft per ton

gs in warmer climates. The

igher for colder climates

l commercial applications in the under 5 tons range

ed systems
ailability of space
sts in the future