Education_Refurb_VRV5_University of Lincoln Case study
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It’s a first for the University of Lincoln – and Daikin – as R32-based VRV5 heat recovery air conditioning makes its UK debut at an administrative and services building in the student village.
Not only does the new system at One Campus Way combine greater comfort and efficiency, it also underlines the university’s commitment to environmental improvement and is a significant move towards its net zero targets.
Daikin’s VRV5 is a major step towards decarbonising the HVAC sector by marrying engineering improvements with a refrigerant of significantly reduced global warming potential. Compared to earlier VRV systems based on R410A refrigerant, R32 reduces GWP by 71% – and it is easier to recycle and reuse.
The university’s engineering manager Jason Devlin – himself an experienced refrigeration and heating engineer – says:
“I wanted to future-proof the building by not simply replacing the system with another R410A system. Some students may have climate anxiety, so it is important for us as an estates department to show that we care about the environment and that we’re installing the most energy efficient equipment we can get.”
The new system was installed over three weeks during the university’s summer recess by Airco Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Hull-based nationwide specialist and Daikin D1+ Partner.
Airco’s Rob Murray says: “We had earlier been asked to survey the building for replacement of the 15-year-old R410A system. We were asked about the possibility of an R32 system – and we said: ‘'Daikin can do it’'.
In addition to the sustainability benefits of R32, Daikin VRV5 systems incorporate Shirudo technology which ensures safe deployment of refrigerants. Its branch selector boxes – which enable the three-pipe DX system to deliver heating and cooling simultaneously to different branches – have been specially designed for R32 and incorporate automatic shutoff valves for each branch to prevent loss of refrigerant.
