At three in the afternoon, the west-facing rooms in a 60-room hotel on Victoria Island are taking full sun. Half the east wing is empty after check-out. The conference hall, which holds 80 delegates, has just filled up. There are three very different cooling loads under one roof. Equipment that produces the same output everywhere will struggle to cool areas of higher demand and overcool others.

Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) technology is designed to handle different cooling loads like the ones described above. Whether a VRF system in Lagos is the best investment, given the building and the support after the installation, is something to consider.

What is Different About VRF From Conventional Air Conditioning?

In a conventional split, air conditioning system, one outdoor unit is paired with one indoor unit. A VRF system connects many indoor units to one or more outdoor units via a shared refrigerant line. Demand is matched by varying the speed of the compressor on the outdoor unit and by adjusting the capacity of the indoor units via an electronic expansion valve. Different set points and schedules for each of the indoor units are managed by a central controller.

Fault diagnosis on VRF systems usually relies on the manufacturer’s diagnostic software and error codes. Finding and correcting faults is a job for trained VRF technicians, not a non-technical person.

VRF systems come with a variety of piping configurations, control systems, and platforms. These should be considered at the design stage.

Would VRF Systems Work for Hotels in Lagos?

Hotels are good candidates. There is irregular occupancy of rooms, guests choose their own temperatures and indoor units need to run quietly at night. A well thought out VRF system for hotels in Lagos can link room controls to key-card switches and cut the unit output if the room is unoccupied.

Lobbies, Restaurants and Banquet halls may work better with ducted units or Air Handling Units and Kitchens need extraction whether Cooling is provided or not.

Humidity is as equally important. VRF units cool and recirculate room air, and thus do not on their own supply fresh air. When planning a VRF system for hotels in Lagos, decide early how treated outdoor air is going to get to the guest rooms. Otherwise, the guest rooms may feel clammy even at 23 degrees Celsius. A dedicate Outdoor Air System (DOAS) or Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) are the ways to solve this.

VRF and Office Air Conditioning

An empty boardroom until 10 am, a reception area exposed to the afternoon sun, and an open plan area after lunch. Dozens of individual wall mounted units are still the most prevalent form of office air conditioning systems in Lagos. VRF consolidates these and allows centralized scheduling to switch off floors after hours.

In multi-tenant buildings, controls are just as crucial as the hardware. Certain VRF systems divide energy use among tenants for fair service charge billing. When considering office air conditioning systems in Lagos, evaluate if this feature is available and how the system will manage partition changes. Server rooms are the exception to this, and usually require dedicated cooling with standby capacity.

What About Larger Commercial Buildings?

Commercial VRF systems in Lagos are suitable for mid-sized offices, retail units, clinics and schools and other similar uses. The modular nature of these systems allow developers to add the outdoor units as tenanted floors are let.

The case for these systems generally holds for mid-sized developments. Large malls, high rise towers, hospitals and other similar uses generally warrant a central chilled water system with air handling units to handle large air volumes and avoid long refrigerant runs. A comparison between commercial VRF systems in Lagos and a central plant should be evaluated with regard to the function of the building and the overall life cycle costs.

Installation and Operating Considerations in Lagos

Design starts with a room-by-room calculation of cooling loads. Lagos has a high latent (moisture) load, and units sized only for temperature may leave spaces damp.

Manufacturers limit the total length of piping and the height difference between outdoor and indoor units. Piping should be brazed under nitrogen, pressure tested, evacuated and charged. Because a VRF system can hold a large charge, check it against the smallest occupied room served under the applicable refrigerant safety standard. Also, every VRF system installation Lagos contractors undertake should be equipped with correctly graded condensate drains.

The humid, salt-laden air along the lagoon or the Atlantic shore creates issues with salt build-up on the condenser coils. Coated coils and periodic washing should be specified. Outdoor units also need clear air flow and accessible service. Be sure to check how the system handles voltage fluctuation and generator changeover. Also, confirm with any HVAC equipment supplier in Lagos what control boards and sensors are available locally.

Finally, choose a provider of VRF installation services in Lagos that commissions the system fully and hands over as built drawings, because later fault diagnosis is dependent on these drawings.

VRF vs Conventional Split AC and Chilled-Water Systems

The following table illustrates how commercial VRF systems in Lagos typically compare with split AC and chilled-water systems. Actual results vary based on design and maintenance.

When VRF May Not Be the Right Choice

Among the commercial HVAC systems in Lagos, VRF is one of the options and definitely not the default. For larger and centralized loads, a Chilled water system may be a better option. For buildings where the treatment of the outdoor air is a dominating factor as in the case of auditoriums, laboratories and theatres, then the system design is usually driven by the requirements of the ventilation plant. A lack of equipment shafts and runs beyond manufacturer limits compromise the design, and without access to skilled VRF technicians, there may be extended downtime. For smaller buildings, simpler office air conditioning systems in Lagos, such as a few Inverter splits, may be a more prudent equipment choice.

What Pygar Group Does in Terms of HVAC System Selection

With Pygar Group located in Oregun, Lagos, they cover a range of HVAC solutions from consultancy to product distribution, turnkey projects as well as service level agreements. Their range includes the Samsung DVMS VRF systems as well as Hitachi Set-Free equipment packages as well as chillers, AHUs and ventilation systems making them one of the better options for comparison for commercial HVAC systems in Lagos.

In addition, as an HVAC equipment supplier in Lagos, Pygar Group has an after-sales service workshop as well as a service van for mobile maintenance. Find out how their VRF installation services in Lagos are scoped and what a service agreement covers.

Is VRF the Right Choice?

For mid-sized hotels and offices in Lagos yes. For other commercial buildings, it will depend on how the building is occupied and tenanted. For example, in a building with individual room occupancy and control, a VRF will be more suitable. It should be combined with a dedicated fresh air supply and good piping design. The final decision should rest on an engineering assessment of loads, ventilation and life cycle costs, rather than on how other commercial HVAC systems in Lagos are typically specified.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cost of a VRF System in Lagos?

Each VRF system installation Lagos property owners commission is priced based on the capacity of the system, the types and number of indoor units, the piping, control and automation systems as well as site conditions. Request for a site survey to be done first for a precise quotation.

Is VRF better than a chiller for a hotel?

For small to medium-sized properties, a VRF system for hotels in Lagos provides greater control at the room level, and flexibility with phased installation. Large, high rise hotels may be better suited to a chilled water system, and a load study will determine this.

Does a VRF system provide fresh air?

VRF systems do not provide fresh air. Fresh air will come from a dedicated outdoor air system, energy recovery ventilators, or another type of ventilation system.

Can VRF run on a generator?

Yes, as long as the generator is large enough to handle the running and starting load and the appropriate voltage protection is used.

How often should a VRF system be serviced?

Filters should be cleaned monthly in high-use or dusty areas. Coils, drains, controls and pressure should be checked at least twice a year. A good provider of VRF installation services in Lagos will set a schedule for your building.

What should I ask a HVAC equipment supplier in Lagos?

Ask about on-site load calculations, fresh air provision, locally stocked spares, and post warranty support. Also ask to see a VRF system installation Lagos clients have previously approved.

If you’re considering VRF for your hotel, office or commercial premises in Lagos, reach out to us at Pygar Group to evaluate your needs and suggest viable HVAC options.