Hello, I am looking for guidance on choosing between three hvac systems. Thank you in advance for your time.
Context: I am buying a 3200 sq ft apartment that has a 10-ton chiller as the source of A/C and heat that is no longer operational. Owner installed it 15 years ago because there is a large atrium which is a huge source of heat gain and he felt this system was the only thing that could keep apartment cool at the time.
I am planning to move and live in the apartment imminently but also plan to do extensive renovations in 24 months (which will require me to move out), but which will also give me the opportunity to put in any system I want. I’m trying to figure out what is the right long term solution for the space today, knowing I will be able to rip out or keep all the hvac infrastructure.
I am evaluating three options:
1- replace the chiller and rely on existing set up
2- remove chiller and replace with 3-4x four ton split system.
3- remove chiller and replace with a single 10 ton VRF with heat recovery.
Here is where my laymen’s research has gotten me…
Option 1 is easiest and costs 3/5 of option 3. It also leverages all the existing infrastructure and duct work. However, it appears to be the least energy efficient and requires significantly more maintenance because the system needs fo be drained and “flipped” twice a year.
Option 2 is a more modular setup and costs 4/5 of option 3. I have to run more pipes from the roof and replace all the air handlers. What I like about it though is 1) it avoids having a system that requires a crane to replace and 2) if one of the units goes down it doesn’t take the apartment with it. You can simply fix or replace one at a time. This appears to be more energy efficient than Option 1.
Option 3 is the most expensive but appears to be the most efficient. I’d have one unit that can handle all my zoning requirements, it isn’t competing against itself the way the split system is and can be controlled with a single application. It appears to require less maintenance than Option 1 and doesn’t need to be flipped twice a year. The downside is that a) like Option 1, you spend 5 figures just on a crane and b) you have single unit risk so if it goes down the entire apartment losses AC. Like Option 2, it requires me to retrofit new exposed air handlers until I do my gut renovations to hide them.
My questions are as follows (no need to answer all three of course, I’m grateful for any insight):
1- If you were working with a clean slate (ie I do a to the studs renovation), which system is the right system considering cost of ownership, maintenance, comfort and dealing with the a large source of heat gain (the atrium)?
2- Under what, if any circumstances would you feel Option 2 is better than Option 3?
3- Based on your experience, how long is it safe to assume a Daikin 10 ton VRF system would last me assuming I invest in properly maintaining it?
Thank you again for your time and insights!
Context: I am buying a 3200 sq ft apartment that has a 10-ton chiller as the source of A/C and heat that is no longer operational. Owner installed it 15 years ago because there is a large atrium which is a huge source of heat gain and he felt this system was the only thing that could keep apartment cool at the time.
I am planning to move and live in the apartment imminently but also plan to do extensive renovations in 24 months (which will require me to move out), but which will also give me the opportunity to put in any system I want. I’m trying to figure out what is the right long term solution for the space today, knowing I will be able to rip out or keep all the hvac infrastructure.
I am evaluating three options:
1- replace the chiller and rely on existing set up
2- remove chiller and replace with 3-4x four ton split system.
3- remove chiller and replace with a single 10 ton VRF with heat recovery.
Here is where my laymen’s research has gotten me…
Option 1 is easiest and costs 3/5 of option 3. It also leverages all the existing infrastructure and duct work. However, it appears to be the least energy efficient and requires significantly more maintenance because the system needs fo be drained and “flipped” twice a year.
Option 2 is a more modular setup and costs 4/5 of option 3. I have to run more pipes from the roof and replace all the air handlers. What I like about it though is 1) it avoids having a system that requires a crane to replace and 2) if one of the units goes down it doesn’t take the apartment with it. You can simply fix or replace one at a time. This appears to be more energy efficient than Option 1.
Option 3 is the most expensive but appears to be the most efficient. I’d have one unit that can handle all my zoning requirements, it isn’t competing against itself the way the split system is and can be controlled with a single application. It appears to require less maintenance than Option 1 and doesn’t need to be flipped twice a year. The downside is that a) like Option 1, you spend 5 figures just on a crane and b) you have single unit risk so if it goes down the entire apartment losses AC. Like Option 2, it requires me to retrofit new exposed air handlers until I do my gut renovations to hide them.
My questions are as follows (no need to answer all three of course, I’m grateful for any insight):
1- If you were working with a clean slate (ie I do a to the studs renovation), which system is the right system considering cost of ownership, maintenance, comfort and dealing with the a large source of heat gain (the atrium)?
2- Under what, if any circumstances would you feel Option 2 is better than Option 3?
3- Based on your experience, how long is it safe to assume a Daikin 10 ton VRF system would last me assuming I invest in properly maintaining it?
Thank you again for your time and insights!
source https://hvac-talk.com/vbb/threads/2239618-Help-choosing-between-a-Chiller-Split-and-VRF-system?goto=newpost
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