Mitsubishi Electric has harnessed the benefits of a VRF and hydronic technologies in a new hybrid air conditioning system.
Providing simultaneous heating and cooling in a simplified two-pipe design, the HVRF system operates without using refrigerant in occupied spaces, removing the need for leak detection equipment. Manageable phased installation will also be possible thanks the system's modular design.

'Many of our buildings have been traditionally cooled and heated through a combination of chiller technology and oil or gas boilers, but with increasing legislation on energy efficiency and the rising cost of fuel, we now need a low-carbon, cost-effective alternative,' explained Mitsubishi Electric's Mark Grayston. 'We have developed this new approach to answer the need for energy efficiency and internal comfort.'

Seen as a rival to traditional heating and cooling rather than VRF, the new HVRF system employs a combination of two-pipe technology and water to provide simultaneous heating and cooling with heat recovery.

The system is also said to offer significant reductions in installation time and lower running costs and emissions than the traditional methods of heating and cooling.