Friedrich Air Conditioning Co., a leading U.S.-based manufacturer of air conditioners and other home environment products, has unveiled a cutting edge new solution for the hospitality and multi-unit housing industries with the launch of its VRP® (Variable Refrigerant Packaged) Heat Pump system.
Unlike other solutions, VRP is not only a heating or cooling unit, but a total HVAC solution that also incorporates patents-pending make-up air and humidity control. Friedrich’s VRP system utilizes a Precision Inverter compressor that gives it exceptional performance and reduces sound. It combines variable refrigerant flow, along with the convenience and simplistic design of a closet-mounted single packaged unit. This all-in-one solution offers great advantages for hospitality, multi-family and commercial applications, delivering best-in-class heating and cooling efficiency, easy installation, true humidity control and conditioned fresh air all while maintaining low upfront and operational costs.
Friedrich’s VRP system is such a game-changer that it was recently named a 2017 AHR (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Exposition) Expo Innovation Award finalist in the Indoor Air Quality category. Each year, AHR honors the most innovative and original products, systems and technologies as selected by a panel of third-party judges who evaluate all award entries based on innovative design, creativity, application, value and market impact. Friedrich, along with other award winners, will be recognized during the 2017 AHR Expo, Jan. 30–Feb. 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nev.
“The launch of VRP not only represents a major innovation for Friedrich, but for the entire industry. As the first to use variable speed compressor technology in the product category, VRP units have the ability to precisely modulate capacity, versus having to fully turn off and on to maintain a consistent temperature,” said TJ Wheeler, Friedrich VP of Marketing and Product Management. “The variable speed nature of the unit also makes VRP extremely efficient and quiet while maximizing comfort and indoor air quality.” Friedrich VRP is so efficient at automatically adjusting capacity to meet specific cooling needs, it delivers efficiencies of up to 20 SEER and 13.0 EER. The variable capacity matches the unit’s output to actual demand for increased comfort, lower energy consumption and improved humidity control.
VRP also features exceptional low-ambient heat pump operations down to 15 degrees, potentially saving hundreds of dollars per year. Plus, it reaches desired temperatures faster than conventional systems. When it comes to indoor air quality, Friedrich VRP offers sophisticated humidity control with onboard sensors that adjust and monitor compressor speeds to enhance dehumidification.
Sources report that Friedrich’s FreshAire system helps building owners meet ASHRAE 61.1-2013 for conditioned fresh air, bringing in up to 70 CFM of conditioned, MERV 8-filtered outside air, without the cost or complexity associated with large dedicated outside air systems.
Ease of installation is also a major benefit. Because Friedrich VRP units are fully contained with “in closet” design flexibility, it helps keep upfront installed costs low, and offers simple replacement and maintenance advantages.
“VRP offers strong benefits for the industry that until this time, simply couldn’t be found in an all-in-one solution,” said Wheeler. “We’re thrilled to be able to bring this innovation to the market.”
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