VRF systems come in two main types. The difference is whether the system can heat and cool at the same time.
VRF heat pump
All indoor units run in the same mode at once: all heating, or all cooling. The installation is two-pipe (liquid and gas lines).
Where it fits: offices, retail and residential buildings with little façade contrast; projects where one mode at a time is enough building-wide.
Watch out: in mid-season a south façade may want cooling while the north wants heating. With a single mode, one side loses comfort. If only a few zones are affected, serving them with a separate small system can solve it.
Heat-recovery VRF
Different indoor units can run in different modes simultaneously. Heat removed from a cooling zone is delivered to a zone that wants heating. Most series use three-pipe installation with branch selector boxes; some manufacturers achieve the same function with a different piping arrangement.
Where it fits:
- Hotels: rooms heat or cool at each guest’s preference.
- Offices with strong façade contrast.
- Buildings with zones that cool year-round (server rooms, areas next to kitchens).
Watch out: the selector boxes and extra piping raise the initial investment. The payback of heat recovery depends on how often simultaneous heating and cooling actually occurs.
How to decide
| Question | Heat pump | Heat recovery |
|---|---|---|
| Simultaneous modes needed? | Rarely | Often |
| Initial investment | Lower | Higher |
| Installation | Two pipes | Mostly three pipes + selector boxes |
| Typical building | Office, retail, residential | Hotel, high-contrast office |
The decision follows the building’s orientation and usage profile. The Which VRF? wizard gives a first assessment; the final call is made at the survey.