System Catalog

Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems

An engineered system from Trane

APP-PRC007C-EN
April 2022
 Trane® Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems
Comprehensive solution with built-in expertise What this means for customers

VRF System Overview

page 3 Trane is uniquely positioned to offer a comprehensive • System designs that meet the specifications
variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system solution that and performance expectations of your
System Decision Wheel
engineers, contractors, and business owners can rely commercial project
page 4
on now and for years to come. Through a joint venture,
System Components • Proper equipment sizing and selection
Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US (METUS), Trane
page 5
provides best-in-class VRF and ductless technology • Worry-free installation, set up and
Indoor Units
that is backed by the building expertise, support integration
page 8
and service. Because Trane provides all product
Operating Modes • Ongoing service and support
components in the VRF system, customers receive
page 12
the best solution for each project—backed by a vast Whether you are an engineer preparing a
System Considerations network of pre- and post-sales, engineering and
page 14
specification, a contractor seeking to find the
support resources that are among the most accessible right equipment to install, or a facility manager
Application in the industry. or business owner seeking top performing
Considerations
page 16 solutions, Trane offers support from teams
Once installed, Trane offers factory startup performed
dedicated to providing best-in-class solutions for
Humidity Control by a factory-trained technician, not a third-party
page 24 our customers.
representative. When systems are up and running,
Psychrometric Analyses Trane can partner with you to provide service and
page 30 maintenance, as needed, over time.
Ventilation System
page 38

System Control
page 48

Energy Analysis
page 56

Design Resources
page 67

LEV Kit Selection

page 70

Additional VRF
Resources
page 71

For more information, go to www.trane.com/VRF to

find the latest brochures, catalogs, and materials.

2
 VRF System Overview

VRF is a popular choice for a variety of buildings because The building may also have a building automation system
it can offer high energy efficiency, smaller footprints, and (BAS) to coordinate the VRF and ventilation systems, as
system flexibility. Additionally, VRF heat pumps and heat- well as other systems in the building such as lighting,
recovery systems are popular strategic electrification exhaust fans, and other HVAC systems in other parts of
solutions as part of the drive to decarbonize HVAC the building. A BAS can enhance a standard VRF control
systems. system by providing additional functionality for complete
building control, monitoring, data collection, and remote
In a typical VRF system, each zone has one or more indoor
access.
units, which provide cooling and heating to maintain the
desired zone temperature. As a result, a VRF system is
considered a distributed HVAC system with cooling and Ventilation Systems

heating equipment dispersed throughout the building.

Typically, outdoor air required for ventilation is conditioned

These systems include the entire VRF system (terminal and delivered by a separate ventilation system. Most

units, branch controllers, condensing units, and codes and standards require ventilation air be supplied to

interconnecting piping), the ventilation systems, as well as the occupied zones to ensure adequate indoor air quality

the controls to ensure proper operation. and occupant satisfaction. A VRF system may employ a
separate outdoor air system to condition and supply the
Controls code- or standard-required ventilation to each zone.

The VRF system will have dedicated controls to coordinate At a minimum, the ventilation system provides the outdoor
all of the functions of the system. The VRF controls include air required for the spaces served. These systems can be
wall-mounted controllers, indoor unit controllers, branch designed to passively or actively condition the outdoor air
controllers, outdoor unit controllers and (optionally) a before entering the building. When actively conditioning
central controller. These individual controls are connected the outdoor air, the ventilation system can be designed to
by a dedicated communication network. offset the outdoor air load or offset the outdoor air load and
some, or all, of the space load.

3
VRF System Decision Wheel
VRF system design does not need to be complicated. With just a few considerations, decisions can be made to ensure a
successful system. These critical decisions can be visualized with the Decision Wheel shown below. This systems catalog
will use the Decision Wheel as a guide to detail design considerations for a VRF system.

System Type: M T YPE

S YSTE
Heat Pump or Heat Recovery?
AT R E C O V E RY
HE
One of the largest benefits of a VRF system is that the indoor units
T P UMP
utilize coils which can heat or cool the zones. Heat pump system HE A

HU
T E M CO N T ROL
configurations can either completely cool or completely heat all the

EPENDENT

OU

MIDIT
G R AT E D

TDOOR AIR
zones served. In a Heat Recovery system each individual zone can

S PA C E
TRANE

Y CON T R
VRF SYSTEMS
either heat or cool as needed. When simultaneously cooling and heating

INTE

IND
in a heat recovery system, energy can be transferred from one space to

SYS

OL
condition another.
ERV
Humidity Control: DOAS
VE
To what level will you manage humidity in your building? NTI
L AT I O N S Y S T
EM

Humidity management is an often-overlooked decision. In many system

designs, the ventilation equipment is sized to simply treat the outdoor air to a space neutral dew-point temperature at
design. This would be an example of outdoor air treatment only. However, careful selection of both the terminal system at
design- and part-load operation, as well as ventilation systems are necessary if space humidity is a concern.

Ventilation System:
How will ventilation air be conditioned—energy recovery ventilator or dedicated outdoor air system?
At a minimum, a filter and fan setup is required to supply ventilation air to a building. Many building energy codes also
require exhaust-air energy recovery. As a result, a basic ventilation system might consist of an energy recovery ventilator
(ERV). For additional air treatment—including humidity control—a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) would likely be
required.

System Control:
How will the system be controlled?
Controls are necessary to operate the VRF and ventilation systems. In some applications, it might be acceptable to rely on
the dedicated VRF control system to operate Independent of other systems in the building. In other cases, the control of the
VRF system may need to be coordinated with other systems in the building, requiring an Integrated control system or BAS.
See page 48 for a discussion of VRF control options.

4
VRF System Components
M T YPE
S YSTE

AT R E C O V E RY
HE
VRF is available as heat pump and heat recovery. It‘s common T P UMP
HE A
to see both heat recovery and heat pump systems on the same

HU
T E M CO N T ROL

EPENDENT

OU
building, but their application is fundamentally different.

MIDIT
G R AT E D

TDOOR AIR

S PA C E
TRANE

Y CON T R
VRF SYSTEMS
VRF systems might include many of the following components:

INTE

IND
• Air and water-source VRF condensing units

SYS

OL
• Ductless and ducted indoor units
• Linear Expansion Valve (LEV) kit ERV
(for use with Trane air-handling equipment)
DOAS
VE
• Outdoor Air Processing (OAP) units NTI EM
L AT I O N S Y S T
• Refrigerant-to-water heat exchangers
• Branch controllers (for heat recovery systems)

VRF Condensing Units

VRF is a direct expansion (DX), multiple zone HVAC system.
Using distributed DX piping, multiple indoor fan coils are
connected to a single VRF condenser. These systems use linear
expansion devices coupled with variable-speed condenser fans
and variable-speed compressor technology to achieve high
efficiency. VRF condensing units are available as air-source or
water-source heat rejection.

Heat pump units are only capable of providing cooling or

heating, exclusively. Because of this, zones served should have
similar load variations and occupant requirements for heating
and cooling. This avoids the risk of one zone needing heat while
other zones require cooling (or vice versa). As a result, heat
pump VRF should only be used in applications with zones that
experience uniform load profiles or cooling-only applications.

Heat recovery provides the ability to provide simultaneous

heating and cooling without regard to the system operation, or
individual tenant demands. This is accomplished without the
use of reheat. Heat recovery systems should always be used for
applications with dissimilar or divergent temperature zones.

5
Air-Source VRF Condensing Unit
Air-source VRF condensing units use a refrigerant-to-air heat exchanger, which allows the system to
exchange heat with the ambient air. Trane® / Mitsubishi Electric offers several models:

• Smart Multi™ heat pump with optional low ambient hyper-heating.

• Y-series heat pump TUHY with optional low ambient hyper-heating.

• R2-Series heat recovery TURY with optional low ambient hyper-heating.

There are two styles of air-source VRF (AS-VRF) condensing units. Smaller units have a horizontal
condenser fan, and are only available with 208-1-60 volt or single-phase electricity. For this reason, it is called “single-phase
VRF” or just “single-phase.” This product is heat pump only, and limited from 3 to 5 tons.

Systems 6-tons and larger are commonly called “VRF.” These units use a vertical discharge fan, and are only available
in three-phase electricity. Common voltages are 208/230-3-60 and 460-3-60. Larger tonnage systems can be created by
combining up to three modules. When combining modules to create a larger system, Diamond System Builder® will size
refrigerant piping for the installed combination. Per U.S. Department of Energy regulations, only discrete AHRI-tested and
approved multiple module combinations are allowed.

Cooling-only VRF
In North America, VRF is only offered as heat pump or heat recovery. There are many applications, which do not require
heat pump units may be locked to “cooling only” to prevent unintentional activation of the heating function.

Single-phase VRF energy ratings

Single-phase VRF falls under the Department of Energy’s residential guidelines. Unlike larger VRF which are rated with
EER and IEER, this product is rated using SEER and HSPF energy ratings.

Water-Source VRF Condensing Unit

Water-source VRF condensing units use a water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger. This allows the system to utilize water loops
connected to devices, such as cooling towers, dry coolers, and boilers. One advantage for water-source VRF condensing
units is their use in colder climatic conditions. As the units are installed indoors, maintenance staff, and workspaces are
protected from the elements. During heating season the heat pump heats the space and cools a ground-source water
loop. During peak winter hours a boiler may be used to supplement additional required
heat. This effectively decouples the system from the outdoor conditions, and provides
consistent heat performance.

The use of a water loop also permits ground coupling VRF and allows heat to be stored
within the earth (see Ground-source VRF, page 21). For this reason water-source VRF
is well suited for densely built municipalities where air-source equipment is not desired,
equipment footprint is limited, or not allowed by local code. Trane® / Mitsubishi Electric
offers several models:

• WY-series heat pump TQHY

• WR2-Series heat recovery TQRY

6
Water-source VRF and brazed plate heat exchangers
Water-source VRF systems use stainless steel brazed plate heat exchangers which have tight tolerances. All municipal water
supplies contain sediment that will eventually lodge in the heat exchanger, restricting water flow. As flow is reduced, there is risk
of the water freezing and bursting the heat exchanger. The resulting water-contaminated refrigerant is destructive to the water-
source system. To prevent this scenario, a simple solution is to use both 50 mesh or better washable strainers, and flow proving
devices with all water-source VRF condensing systems.

Water-source VRF and “double heat recovery”

Water-source units benefit from double heat recovery, which allows heat to be
transferred between zones served on a single heat recovery VRF system and between
multiple heat recovery condensing units connected by a single closed water loop.

Water-source condensing units do not require condensing fans as heat is rejected to

the water loop. This reduces their footprint, and allows for installation in opportunistic
spaces such as converted janitors closets. This also allows decentralization of the
condensers, placing them closer to the indoor fan coil units. If ASHRAE® Standard 15
refrigerant concentration limits requirements are a concern, decentralized water-source
units may provide an opportunity to reduce the refrigerant charge.

Water-source VRF condensing units are typically small enough to fit into elevators, enabling easier installation in basements,
penthouses, or on individual floors. It may be possible to reuse existing boilers, cooling towers, and other hydronic components.

Single-phase VRF versus mini-splits

Mini-split units are another ductless system that is commonly confused with VRF. This is due to the visual similarity of the
condensing cabinets and indoor fan coils. Adding to the confusion, some mini-splits are capable of connecting to multiple indoor
fan coil units.

Mini-splits do not use a distributed DX piping arrangement. Instead, the refrigerant lines, power source, and control wiring must
“home run” directly back to the mini-split condensing unit, or a mini-split piping branch box. Further, the expansion device is
located within the condensing unit, or a special manifold device. For this reason, there is only one approved refrigerant line-set per
product size, and the maximum piping length is much shorter than similar VRF products.

Mini-splits are found in capacities from 0.5 to 5 tons. With high efficiencies, these units are useful for addressing smaller loads
such as IT closets or other after-hour applications.

What’s in a name?
The air-source condensing units are sometimes abbreviated as ODU, or “outdoor units.” This is to
differentiate them on mechanical schedules from the “indoor” fan coils. However, water-source condensing
units are designed for indoor installation. As air-source units are more common, it is common industry “slang”
to refer to all VRF condensing units as outdoor units.

7
Trane® / Mitsubishi Electric Indoor Units
Traditional split systems components include one heat pump condensing unit connected to one indoor air handler. VRF
systems use multiple indoor units connected with one condensing unit. Single-phase systems may have as many as 12
indoor units connected to one condensing unit, and three-phase VRF may have as many as 50 indoor units connected to a
single condensing unit.

VRF indoor units are available in two categories; ductless, and ducted. Ductless products include high wall units, cassettes,
ceiling suspended units, and floor standing units. Ducted products include low, medium, and high static ducted fan coils,
multi-position residential size air handlers, and LEV-kits combined with traditional built up air handlers.

Ductless Indoor Units

High-Wall Unit (0.5 to 2.5 tons)

TPKFY high wall units are mounted horizontally six feet or higher on a vertical
surface. Supply air is discharged from the bottom, and returns to the top. To prevent
air flow “bounce back” and short cycling, high wall units generally work better where
there are no obstructions within ten feet. It is important to consult the installation guidelines, as installing “too high” may
decrease performance. High walls are often used in multi-family, lobbies, and historical retrofits.

Recessed Ceiling Cassette (0.75 to 4 tons)

TTPLFY recessed ceiling cassette units are also commonly called ceiling cassettes.
These units are installed flush with the horizontal drop or finished ceiling surface,
but are also used with exposed ceiling plans. Conditioned air is provided in up to four
directions with a central return. The cassette chassis are field-convertible from four
to as few as two discharges. The cassette discharge opening should be a minimum
of five feet from vertical obstructions to prevent “dumping” airflow down a wall, along
with drafts and moisture condensation. To promote uniform heating performance,
the height of cassettes is generally limited to ten feet above the finished floor. Avoid installing cassettes too close to other
cassettes, as this may lead to temperature conflict. These units are often used in office spaces, lobbies, classrooms, and
conference rooms.

Recessed One-Way Ceiling Cassette (0.5 to 1.25 tons)

TPMFY one-way ceiling cassettes are similar to a ceiling recessed unit, but
are designed with a single supply air discharge. This unit is installed flush with
horizontal or finished ceiling surfaces, and work best when installed offset
to the side of a room. For best performance care must be taken to space
the return of the unit no closer than three feet from any vertical surfaces. To
prevent “dumping” airflow, the supply air should not be closer than five feet
from a vertical obstruction. Care should be taken to avoid installing too close to other cassettes, which may lead to poor
performance and temperature conflict. These units are often used in hallways, open office spaces, lobbies, classrooms, and
conference rooms.

8
Ceiling Suspended Units (1.25 to 3 tons)
TPCFY ceiling suspended units are mounted below horizontal hard surfaces
that prevent installation of ceiling cassettes. For best performance, care must
be taken to ensure adequate space for return air. Ceiling suspended units are
commonly found in casinos, restaurants, open spaces, or oriented down long
narrow spaces. These units generally work better where there are no obstructions within ten feet to the face of the unit.

Floor-Mounted Units (0.5 to 2 tons)

TPFFY floor mounted or floor-standing units resemble traditional fan coil or cabinet
heater style HVAC systems. These units are available as exposed or recessed styles
with a top discharge. The bottom return cannot be obstructed. Common installations are
classrooms, office space, corridors, and lobbies.

Ducted Indoor Units

Low Static Ducted Units (0.5 to 2 tons)

TPEFY low static ducted units are horizontal units that are easily concealed, but may also
be exposed. These units sacrifice performance for a low profile construction and have
short duct runs from three to six feet, with minimal filtration. These units may not have the
static pressure capability to support an external filter rack. Common installations are hotel
rooms installed over the bathroom, small office spaces, and exposed spot cooling without
ductwork.

Medium Static Ducted Units (0.5 to 4.5 tons)

TPEFY medium static ducted units are horizontal units that may be installed concealed
or exposed. These units support external filter racks with MERV-rated filters, and the
associated supply and return ductwork. Common installations include office spaces,
classrooms, hotels, and assisted living facilities.

High Static Ducted Units (1.25 to 8 tons)

High static ducted units are horizontal units that may be installed concealed or exposed.
These units are the largest standard capacity VRF fan coils. They require external filter racks,
with MERV rated filters. The high static pressure of these units is beneficial when using
distributed supply and return ductwork serving multiple spaces. Common installations include
office spaces, classrooms, and small auditoriums.

Multi-Position Air-Handler (1 to 4.5 tons)

TPVFY multi-position air handlers resemble residential style air handlers.
These units may include electric resistance heaters. Installation options include up-flow, horizontal
left, horizontal right, or down-flow configurations. Downflow installations may require a condensate
management kit. Multi-position units are installed with ducted supply and return, and it is possible to
“twin” units to serve larger zones. Ideal applications include residential, multi-tenant, hotels and attic
installations.

9
Additional Components

Linear Expansion Valve (LEV) Kit

VRF systems are capable of integrating built up air handlers using LEV kit assemblies. This
allows for higher airflows, higher static pressure, larger capacity, customized products,
and DOAS configurations.

The kit is available in multiple tonnage sizes, and requires three components, a LEV, a
LEV control box, and a LEV-kit rated heat pump coil. If larger capacities are required, the
designer may combine multiple LEV kits and condensing units with a single air-handling
unit. Using these kits allows installation of an air handling unit to be as far as 541 actual feet
(623 equivalent feet) from the condensing unit.

When using LEV kit-equipped air handlers serving a high percentage of outside air, it is
best to pair the system with a dedicated VRF heat pump condensing unit. If the outdoor air
application requires a VRF heat recovery system, please consult the VRF LEV Kit
Split System Selection Guide (VRF-APG003-EN).

Outdoor Air Processing (OAP) units

The TPEFY-OA fan coil is designed for 100 percent outdoor air. It is often referred to as an
“outdoor air processing (OAP) unit” or an “outdoor air unit (OAU).” Although OAP units
function as a split DOAS, they are designed for simple projects that do not require large
tonnages, or temperature and control flexibility. These units are also useful as they
integrate with other indoor units using the same City Multi® M-Net controls system,
and provide the owner with a simplified BAS system. They are best suited for tempering
applications where precise temperature control and space humidity management
is not a priority.

10
Lossnay Energy Recovery Ventilator
The Lossnay energy-recovery ventilator (ERV) unit is available in six sizes from 300 to
1200 CFM. These units are ideal for smaller projects that don’t require tight humidity
control. These units may be used as standalone or interfaced with the native VRF
controls.

Heat Exchangers
TPWFY hex units are refrigerant-to-water heat exchangers available in two styles. The
first is a hot-water, heating only unit with temperatures as high as 160°F. The second is
an auxiliary unit that may produce either chilled water down to 41°F or hot water as warm
as 131°F. Heat is exchanged to a chilled- or hot-water loop for use by other processes.
Additional hydronic specialties such as pumps, storage tanks, and a 50-mesh or better
washable strainer are required. Example applications include radiant floor heating, chilled/
hot water air-handlers.

Branch Controllers
All heat recovery control systems require a City Multi® Branch Controller®. It is connected
between the outdoor unit and multiple indoor units, and is the intermediate heat transfer
device that enables simultaneous heating and cooling. This device houses a series of
diverting valves, gas/liquid separators, and subcoolers that distribute high or low-pressure
refrigerant as needed between the indoor units. As the branch controller manages the
refrigerant phase change, the need for a dedicated third suction line to the outdoor unit is
eliminated.

Branch controllers may consist of a single device, or a main branch controller with up
to ten sub-branch controllers. Use of sub-branch controllers allow decentralizing the
location of components due to building architecture. Sub-branch controllers also expand
the number of indoor units that may be used on a single system, and allow as many as 50
indoor units on a single system. When using a sub-branch controller, two pipes are used
between the condensing unit and the main branch controller, and three pipes are required
between the branch controller and the sub-branch controllers.

11
VRF Operating Modes
Heat pump systems can operate in two distinct modes—cooling or heating—to maintain zone comfort. Heat pump systems
cannot provide simultaneous heating and cooling. Heat recovery systems operate in four modes—cooling, cooling main,
heating, and heating main—to provide simultaneous cooling and heating to those zones that need it.

Cooling Only Mode

liquid pipe
(medium-pressure
When a heat pump system is in cooling only mode, all discharge pipe subcooled liquid)
(high-pressure
active indoor units are calling for cooling. The heat pump subcooled liquid)
BRANCH CONTROLLER
condensing unit delivers subcooled liquid refrigerant to the
suction pipe
linear expansion devices. After passing through the expansion (low-pressure
superheated gas)
devices, the liquid is evaporated as heat is absorbed within the
indoor coil, and undergoes phase change to a superheated
cooling cooling
gas. The superheated gas must be returned to the heat pump
condensing unit accumulator to repeat the cycle.
off
cooling
When a heat recovery system is in cooling only mode, all active
indoor units are calling for cooling. The heat recovery condensing unit
delivers subcooled liquid refrigerant to the branch controller. The branch
controller provides additional subcooling and distributes the liquid to the
linear expansion devices. After passing through the expansion devices, the
liquid is evaporated as heat is absorbed by the refrigerant within the indoor
coil and undergoes phase change to a superheated gas. The superheated
gas must return to the heat recovery condensing unit accumulator through
the branch controller to repeat the cycle.

Cooling Main Mode

liquid pipe
discharge pipe (medium-pressure
When a heat recovery system is in cooling main mode, the majority of (high-pressure subcooled liquid)
two phase mixture)
indoor units by capacity are calling for cooling, with an active minority
of indoor units requiring heat. The heat recovery condensing unit BRANCH CONTROLLER
suction pipe
delivers a high pressure liquid/gas refrigerant mixture to a branch (low-pressure
superheated gas)
controller. The branch controller separates the hot gas and liquid
refrigerant using a gas liquid separator. Hot gas is sent to the units
calling for heating allowing heat to be “rejected” to the space and cooling cooling
providing additional subcooling to the liquid refrigerant from the gas
liquid separator. Subcooled liquid is then returned to the branch
off
controller where it is mixed with subcooled liquid at the gas liquid heating
separator. It is then provided to indoor units calling for cooling where gas pipe
(high-pressure
it is evaporated as refrigerant absorbs space heat within the indoor coil superheated gas)

and undergoes phase change to a superheated gas. The superheated gas

is returned to the branch controller and mixed with subcooled liquid from
the heating coils. The resultant two-phase mixture is returned to the heat
recovery condensing unit accumulator to repeat the cycle.

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Heating Main Mode
When a heat recovery system is in heating main mode, the majority
of indoor units by capacity are calling for heating, and with an active
minority of indoor units also calling for cooling. The heat recovery liquid pipe
(medium-pressure
condenser unit delivers a high-pressure two-phase hot gas to a discharge pipe subcooled liquid)
(high-pressure
branch controller. The branch controller separates the hot gas and two-phase mixture )
BRANCH CONTROLLER
liquid refrigerant using a gas liquid separator. Hot gas is sent to
suction pipe
the units calling for heating allowing heat to be “rejected” to the (low-pressure
liquid)
space and it is condensed to a liquid and subcooled. This liquid
then returns to the branch controller where it provides additional
cooling heating
subcooling to the liquid from the gas liquid separator. This liquid
is provided to indoor units calling for cool where it is evaporated
as refrigerant absorbs space heat. The resulting low pressure off heating
superheated gas returns to the branch controller and is mixed suction pipe
(low-pressure super-
with excess subcooled liquid from the heating coils. The resultant heated gas)
two-phase mixture is returned to the heat recovery condensing unit
accumulator to repeat the cycle.

Heating Only Mode

When a heat pump system is in heating mode, all active indoor units
are calling for heating. The heat pump condensing unit delivers a
liquid pipe
superheated high pressure hot gas to the indoor units allowing (medium-pressure
discharge pipe subcooled liquid)
heat to be “rejected” to the space. Hot gas passes through the (high-pressure
superheated gas)
indoor coil and is condensed to a subcooled liquid. This liquid is
BRANCH CONTROLLER
sent to the heat pump condensing unit accumulator, to repeat the suction pipe
(low-pressure
cycle. liquid)

When a heat recovery system is in heating only mode, all active

indoor units are calling for heat. The heat recovery condensing heating heating
unit delivers a superheated high pressure hot gas to a branch
controller. Hot gas is then sent to the units calling for heating
off heating
allowing heat to be “rejected” to the space and it is condensed gas pipe
(high-pressure
to a subcooled liquid. This subcooled liquid returns to the branch superheated gas)
controller where it passes to the heat recovery condensing
accumulator unit to repeat the cycle.

13
System Considerations

Heat Recovery
seasons can pose a challenge. During shoulder seasons, it
Using the four previously described sequences, the heat is common to require heat in the morning, and cooling in the
recovery unit is able to simultaneously heat and cool multiple afternoon. The space becomes extremely uncomfortable
zones without reheat, and independent of the operation of if the mode is not manually overridden. This strategy is
other indoor units. Branch controllers are required for heat strongly discouraged.
recovery systems, and enable the transfer of energy between
zones connected to it. If the controller is connected to one Averaging/Voting Changeover
or more sub-branch controllers, then the exchange of energy
With an averaging changeover, the system polls the indoor
also occurs between the connected controllers.
units to determine the deviation from space temperature
As the building loads shift from cooling-dominant to heating- versus setpoint. A heat or cool mode is set based on this
dominant or vice versa, the heat recovery condensing unit calculation. An alternative approach is to use a voting
shifts operation accordingly. This allows the system to method in which the VRF system satisfies the majority
provide a high degree of individual comfort. If an application demand before shifting to the minority. Both of these
has multiple divergent zones, the application requires a heat strategies often result in large temperature swings resulting
recovery system. in improperly conditioned zones. Additional concerns are
the averaging and voting systems do not address the users
Heat Pump individual needs. These strategies should not be applied
to individual zones that require user-commanded heating
Heat pump systems are designed for to serve homogeneous
and cooling such as dormitories, auditoriums, banquet
temperature zones Branch controllers are not used with
halls, hotels, nursing homes, corner offices or information
heat pump systems which limits these condensers to either
technology spaces. Instead these zones should be moved
cooling-only mode, or heating-only mode. (For designers
to their own systems, or the designer should consider using
who intend to use heat pumps on divergent or mixed mode
heat recovery.
operation please see side bar Heat Pump “Trap”).

Representative Group Changeover

Scheduled Changeover
It is possible to set an individual indoor unit as mode master,
The easiest heat pump changeover strategy is to set the mode
and the remaining indoor units are set as mode followers.
of operation based on a time-of-day schedule. The winter,
The mode master and followers are grouped into similar
and summer months are simple, and are set to heating,
representative zones, and each group is served by its
and cooling respectively. Setting the schedule for shoulder
own condensing unit. When the mode leader requires
changeover, it directs the mode followers to change their
operation. The mode followers units will not changeover on
Heat Pump “Trap”

It may be tempting to reduce first costs by using

a heat pump system instead of heat recovery. Mixed Systems
Heat recovery systems provide zone-specific
air conditioning. Heat pump systems can only It is very common for designers to use heat pump
operate in a single mode at a single time. There units and heat recovery systems for the same
are several options to specify how heat pump project. Schools are a common example. When
systems change modes. Regardless of the designing the school, the library, cafeteria, lobby,
approach, experience shows using heat pumps corridors and auditoriums each have a dedicated
in lieu of heat recovery results in low tenant heat pump. However, the classrooms, offices, and
satisfaction. workspaces often require simultaneous heating
and cooling.
14
their own, so it’s critical that tenants can easily locate the mode A single City Multi branch controller may support up to 16
leader controller. It’s also possible to control multiple indoor independent zones. The installing contractor is able to locate
units with a single controller. This simpler approach reduces the branch controller with up to 16 branches in a central
confusion regarding which unit is the “mode leader.” Review with location. If needed, the system may be expanded with up to 11
the product manufacturer during design, as not all manufacturers sub-branch controllers. Installation can be further simplified
support this functionality. by using pre-insulated flexible line sets from the branch
controllers to the indoor units, with field installed service
This approach should not be applied to multiple zones with
isolation valves at the branch controller. The initial installation
divergent thermal loads as it can create conflict between tenants.
will require a minimum of 50 percent combination ratio.
For this reason, it should never be applied to dormitories, hotels,
During the early stages of the project, these are also used to
nursing homes, individual offices, or individual zones that require
maintain the minimum space temperature of the core and
user-commanded heating and cooling. Designers should consider
shell. If the initial buildout schedule is less than 50 percent
serving these zones with heat recovery.
combination ratio it’s necessary to use multiple smaller units
that comply with this requirement For more information on
Outdoor Air Changeover combination ratios, see page 16.

It is possible to change the mode of the system based on the

As the buildout progresses, simply relocate the existing
outdoor air temperature. When the outside ambient temperature
indoor units, or add new branch lines and/or controllers
exceeds the setpoint, the mode shifts to cooling. When the
as needed. However, in some installations performance or
outdoor air dry-bulb temperature falls below this setpoint, the
equipment challenges present themselves after a portion of
mode shifts to heating. This strategy while simple, often requires
the building is occupied. With some three-pipe systems, these
more complex controls and is incompatible with zones that have
changes may require removing, and reinstalling previously
high internal cooling loads, such as call centers, banquet halls,
installed pipe. If the City Multi system does not require a sub
auditoriums, and information technology spaces.
branch controller, or the distance from the indoor unit to the

As with representative group changeover, this approach should sub branch controller is less than 196 feet, then changing

also be avoided for applications with varying temperature the location and length of indoor units has no impact on

zones such as dormitories, hotels, nursing homes, office space, previously installed pipe. Use of Diamond System Builder®

or individual zones that require user commanded heating and during design can also mitigate this risk.

cooling where zones would be best served by heat recovery

Suitable VRF Applications
Designing for Core and Shell Common applications include schools, office buildings,

When designing for core and shell, the installing contractor and government facilities, museums, historic retrofits, cultural

design team are often required to make educated guesses as facilities, multi-family structures, hotels, hospitality, churches,

to the future tenant buildout. Each new tenant has unique and dormitories, nursing homes, tenant buildouts, high-end single-

unforeseen needs. A City Multi® two-pipe, heat recovery VRF family dwellings, high performance buildings, health care,

system is a strategy that can be used to simplify the buildout, and and more. The use of LEV kits with air handlers expands the

reduce installation risk. application options to include large, open spaces, such as
sanctuaries, gymnasiums, and auditoriums.

Many heat pump changeover strategies require

installation of additional BAS hardware, front- It is important to recognize VRF is not always the right fit for
end access, and custom programming. See every application. Examples of applications where VRF might
page 48 for more information on controls.
not make sense include laboratories with large amounts
of makeup air or projects that require precise humidity or
temperature control.

15
Application Considerations
Refrigerant Safety
Refrigerant safety is imperative for VRF systems because the with smaller refrigerant charges, use separate units for small
quantity of refrigerant used is often greater than other terminal spaces, or increase dilution by combining small spaces. This
systems, such as conventional splits and rooftops. process is repeated for the next smallest room and continued
until the calculated value exceeds the minimum RCL.
ASHRAE® provides two standards, which describe properties
of various refrigerants (Standard 34 “Designation and Safety
Combination Ratio
Classification of Refrigerants”) and how refrigerants should be
applied in various systems (Standard 15 “Safety Standard for When designing VRF projects it is critical to use a combination
Refrigeration Systems”). Often local jurisdictions adopt these ratio to verify compliance with a manufacturer’s design rules
standards into codes and ordinances making them required. and risk tolerance. This combination ratio metric expresses
the nominal tonnage of the indoor units, versus the nominal
Standard 34 defines a unique refrigerant concentration limit
tonnage of the condensing units. This metric is proportional to
(RCL) for each refrigerant based upon its toxicity, flammability,
building load diversity. All manufacturers require a minimum
and oxygen deprivation characteristics. The standard uses
50 percent ratio, but maximum allowed varies dramatically.
a letter system to show toxicity and a number to designate
Diamond System Builder® generates combination ratios based
flammability. Designers must determine the RCL value for the
on system design.
refrigerant being used in the system.
When sizing indoor units, the designer simply calculates the
Standard 15 draws refrigerant safety classification and
worst case or “peak load,” for heating and cooling each space
quantity limits from ASHRAE Standard 34. Similar to
then selects the indoor unit(s) that most closely matches both
packaged DX systems and water source heat pumps, VRF
the peak load(s), and the architect’s considerations.
has the potential to leak refrigerant to the occupied space.
This requires VRF to follow ASHRAE Standard 15’s high Due to diversity of the space, individual zones often experience
probability rules. The standard includes unique requirements peak operation during different times of the day. To account
for institutional and industrial occupancies and limitations on for this diversity, the designer calculates the design heating
placing components that contain refrigerant near corridors, or cooling day “block load.” The block load is used to size the
stairwells, and means of egress. condensing unit, and is often less than the sum of all indoor
peak loads.
The VRF system is evaluated as if the entire refrigerant charge
would be released into the smallest room. The dilution volume A school is useful as a simplified example. The day begins with
of the room is computed then the concentration level of the the sun on the east exposure with all students in classrooms.
entire leaked refrigerant charge is determined. If the resulting As the students go about their day, they move to different
value is less than the refrigerant’s RCL value, the system is in classrooms, the library, the cafeteria, and gymnasium. As the
compliance with Standard 15. If the RCL limit is exceeded, the students move, each zone will experience periods of reduced
designer must make changes such as select multiple units occupancy. Throughout the day, the position of the sun
also shifts—ending the day on the western exposure. In this
When designing for core and shell never install a second example, each indoor unit experiences its peak load at unique
branch controller or heat recovery device without
one active indoor unit. Further, at startup the system time, compared to the other indoor terminal units. This is not
combination ratio must be greater than 50 percent. an issue because the outdoor unit is sized for the block load,
Oil may become trapped in the dead leg, and unable to
return to the condensing unit. Over time, this may lead which provides enough capacity to the terminal units to ensure
to premature failure of system components.
all spaces are conditioned.

16
VRF systems may have combination ratios less than 100 Low Ambient/Cold Climate Heat Pumps
percent. An example of a low combination ratio is a core and In order to meet climate initiatives some municipalities are
shell project in the early stages of buildout, before tenant fit adopting building codes that require the electrification of heat.
out. The DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
website states, “For many homeowners across the U.S., cold
Combination ratio should never be confused with capacity
climate air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) can be a cost-effective
or safety factors. It is a mistake to expect additional capacity
option for improving home comfort while delivering energy and
due to a high combination ratio. The condensing unit will only
cost savings...”
perform to its nameplate rating. On the hottest or coldest day
of the year, a 10-ton system will only produce VRF systems operate in heating mode down to as low as -22°F.
10 tons. All DX air-source heating systems experience decreased
performance as the outdoor air dry-bulb temperature
Combination Ratio Example decreases. To address this, VRF manufacturers have developed

Consider an example with many indoor units. The indoor “high heat” systems, which are optimized for heating-dominant
summed design peak capacity is 24 tons. A 20-ton applications. These “high heat” systems use variable speed
condensing unit will be installed to serve the block load.
The combination ratio is the indoor peak capacity divided technology along with flash injection to produce a very high
by the block capacity, or 24 divided by 20, which results in
a combination ratio of 120 percent. percentage of nameplate heating capacity at low outdoor
air dry-bulb temperatures . As the majority of the continental
Diamond System Builder® calculates this value in real-
time, with a minimum value of 50 percent and a maximum United States experiences heating design conditions warmer
value of 150 percent. Because the calculated combination than -13°F, it may be possible to address the entire heating load
ratio falls between the minimum and maximum values, this
design is compliant. without the use of boilers, electric resistance heat, or fossil
fuels.

Cold Weather Operation In installations where the expected dry-bulb temperature is

colder than -13°F, it’s possible to satisfy the heating load with
Defrost
the use of supplemental heat. The sequence of operation will
As the outdoor temperature approaches freezing while
call for the VRF heat pump as first stage heat. If the VRF system
the air-source VRF condensing unit is in heating mode, or
is unable to satisfy the demand an auxiliary second stage of
mainly heating mode, the outdoor coil will develop frost. This
heat is enabled.
will initiate a defrost sequence. During defrost, the system
is no longer producing heat to the interior, the system will
modulate or stop the indoor fan to prevent cold drafts. For
most installations, the tenants will not notice or recognize the
temporary heat interruption.

If the ventilation requires continuous fan operation, it is

possible to continue fan operation during defrost cycle. If this
occurs, a best practice is to temper the return air to 60°F or
warmer. When not possible, the BAS should automatically
engage an auxiliary heat source.

Rotational defrost places one module in defrost, while leaving

the remaining heat recovery modules in heat. If using a single
module with a split condenser coil, that unit may also use
rotational defrost. When configured, the indoor fans continue
to run at low speed. This option may not be available for heat
pump systems, and is not preferred for cold climates.
17
Air-Source VRF in a Mechanical Room Isolation Valves
It may be desirable to locate air-source VRF condensing Proactive steps are required to facilitate maintenance for
units within a penthouse or mechanical room for a variety of VRF distributed DX piping systems. To ensure continuous
reasons, including building height considerations, sight lines, operation during system maintenance and repair, the installer
and sheltering equipment or maintenance staff. should provide isolation service valves throughout the
system. In a heat recovery system, the common valve location
The condenser heat must be exhausted from the mechanical
is on the leaving side of the City Multi® Branch Controller. By
space, which is typically accomplished by introducing outdoor
placing the valve in this location, it is possible to isolate one
air through an intake louver and discharging the exhaust air
indoor unit while leaving the remaining systems active. If the
with ductwork. The condenser fans have a maximum external
installation is a heat pump system, the correct valve location
static pressure which is critical to the air distribution design.
is immediately after a piping branch connection.
Additional concerns may include rain water management,
freeze mitigation, damper construction, and louver design. For It is critical that these valves do not impart a pressure drop
this reason the designer should contact the manufacturer for for the liquid refrigerant, as this may cause the refrigerant to
supplemental instructions, and consultations prematurely “flash.” Instead, select a “full port” valve that is
listed for the appropriate refrigerant. Further, the valve should
have a service port to allow evacuation, and charging of the
segregated pipe.

When installing these valves, it is tempting to locate the

valve close to the indoor units. This practice is discouraged.
It creates a section of “dead leg” pipe where oil may
accumulate. If this condition were to exist for an extended
period, it may lead to premature equipment failure.

Low Ambient Cooling

Trane® / Mitsubishi Electric air-source products are rated for
cooling down to 23°F. Heat recovery systems may achieve
partial cooling loads down to -4°F. The heat recovery cooling
capacity then becomes dependent on the heating operation. If
the unit is heat pump or heat recovery operating in cooling or
cooling main below 23°F, the use of low ambient hood and wind
baffles help ensure operation to as low as -10°F.

The low ambient hood contains dampers that modulate

condenser airflow. This maintains critical temperature and
pressure requirements, which extend the cooling run hours.
The wind baffles are installed to protect the active condenser
coils from cold gusting wind. With these modifications,
continuous cooling performance and restart are possible with
very cold outdoor air conditions.

18
Refrigerant Piping Pressure and Vacuum Testing
Each component within a VRF system, including the condensing VRF systems may contain in excess of 3,000 feet of connected
unit, indoor units, and branch controllers, are connected by a pipe. To facilitate these large layouts, it is critical the system
series of refrigerant pipes. is moisture free and tightly constructed. This is demonstrated
using pressure and vacuum testing of the field-erected piping
VRF systems have the capacity for long line runs, and high lift.
prior to charging with refrigerant. All VRF manufacturers require
Single-phase systems may operate multiple units as far as 492 feet
demonstrating and documenting this test for warranty validation.
from the condensing unit. Three phase VRF systems may operate
multiple units as far as 541 feet from the condensing unit. The ASHRAE Guideline 41, “Design, Installation, and Commissioning
three phase outdoor unit may have pipe risers as high as 295 feet of Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems,” has developed an
below the condensing unit or 196 feet above the condensing units. industry-wide consensus guideline for testing system integrity.
The ASHRAE procedure calls for the installer to demonstrate
By using VRF indoor units, or LEV kits with built up air handlers, it
and document the as-built installation is capable of holding
is possible to address the zones that are otherwise inaccessible
a positive pressure of 600 psi or greater for 24 hours, and a
due to the location of the condensing unit. Examples of long line
negative pressure to 200 microns absolute for an additional 24
possibilities include large campuses such as universities, malls,
hours. During the demonstration, the positive pressure must not
hospitals, manufacturing, or other similar applications.
fluctuate more than 40 psi, and the negative pressure must not
fluctuate more than 50 microns. If either of these thresholds are
When designing for long lines with nonstandard VRF equipment,
exceeded, the installer triple nitrogen purges the system, and
such as air handlers utilizing an LEV kit, the designer must consult
repeats until demonstration and documentation of a successful
the manufacturer’s LEV kit guidelines. Following these written
test.
guidelines ensures adequate oil return, prevents overwhelming
the condensing unit refrigerant accumulator, and ensures
This test is also critical for VRF refrigerant safety. VRF systems
performance as predicted by design tools.
use a distributed direct expansion arrangement. There is risk for
systems serving small, enclosed spaces. While it is not possible
The designer should carefully consider the location and installation
to eliminate all leakage, following the Guideline 41 procedure
of refrigerant piping to ensure compliance with local codes and
is proven to be an effective leak risk mitigation strategy.
standards. These often include but may not be limited to the
This procedure when combined with ASHRAE Standard 15
International Mechanical Code and ASHRAE® Standard 15 “Safety
requirements has enabled consultants to design safe compliant
Standard for Refrigeration Systems.”
VRF installations.
Distributed Piping Arrangements
Outdoor air, delivered to meet the ventilation requirement, is
VRF Systems use distributed refrigerant piping to serve multiple
often at an unsuitable temperature and/or humidity condition
individual zones. As each project has different requirements, each
to be delivered directly to the occupied zones and therefore
project requires a custom piping layout. This custom layout may
requires some conditioning. Designers have a variety of choices
be extensive with over 3,000 feet of piping for a single system. To
with different levels of impact to the zone temperature and
simplify design, and eliminate guesswork, the designer should use
humidity conditions. VRF indoor unit sizing and operation are also
Diamond System Builder®. This tool will size the pipe, determine
impacted.
the volume of additional refrigerant, and ensure the installed piping
lengths comply with minimum and maximum guidelines. Failure
Designers may choose to supply conditioned outdoor air at a
to use the design tool often results in poor performance, and
predetermined supply air dew point temperature, such as 55°F, or
premature equipment failure.
they may determine the supply air temperature based upon the
zone humidity level desired.

19
Acoustics
Sound levels for VRF systems can be lower compared to Ductless indoor units benefit from having small ECM

traditional split systems due to the use of variable-speed, low- direct drive fan motors. The customer has a choice

sound fans, and variable speed compressors. Using variable to set a fixed constant speed, or using an algorithm to

speed technology allows for reductions at both full- and part-load modulate from low, medium, high based on the delta

conditions. difference between the space set point, and actual

space temperature. If allowed to modulate, the fans
To address after hours noise ordinances City Multi® VRF typically spend the majority of run hours in the medium
systems offer a low noise feature. Depending on the unit, this or low fan speed setting. This creates a very quiet
feature allows the operator to control, and reduce the fan and environment, and may necessitate field-installed white
compressor speed by multiple steps. The system will cancel the noise generators.
mode if critical temperature or pressure criteria are exceeded.

Three-pipe systems
While three-pipe systems have similar sequences, they gas pipe
do not have a vapor liquid separator in the heat recovery liquid pipe heat recovery control unit
suction pipe
device. This requires all phase change to occur at
the condensing unit. This also requires three pipes to
transport refrigerant between the heat recovery device,
and the condensing unit. The three pipes are for the hot
gas line, a liquid line, and a low-pressure gas line.

20
Ground-source VRF Auxiliary Heat

Ground-source systems take advantage of the earth’s heat Auxiliary heat may be used to supplement the VRF heat. Examples
capacitance and heat transfer capability using the soil or surface of common auxiliary heating include electric resistance heat
water as the heat rejecter and heat adder. installed within the zone or as a duct heater and baseboard hot
water heat within the zone.
With the advent of water-source-compressor units, ground-source
VRF systems become a viable and attractive system option. It Designers may choose to include supplemental auxiliary heat for a
combines the best feature of ground-source and VRF systems. variety of reasons, including:

Ground-source heat pump systems offer the potential for • To serve as a backup heating system
operating-cost savings when compared to a traditional cooling- • To take advantage of onsite heat or hot water
tower-and-boiler system. To determine economic viability the • Ensure adequate building heating capacity when the outdoor
air dry-bulb is below the VRF system’s minimum operational
installation costs for this system must be considered. In general,
temperature
the largest portion of the installation cost is due to the ground-
source heat exchanger. Installation requires excavation, trenching, If the VRF system uses duct heaters for auxiliary heat, there are
or boring. some special design considerations. Be cautious of staged heaters.
As the VRF fan coil modulates between low, medium, and high
In a full ground-source-heat pump system, no cooling tower is
fan speeds the discharge air temperature will also modulate. If the
necessary. From an architectural perspective, this allows all the
staged electric heater is sized for low fan speed, the discharge
heat from the building to be rejected without any visible sign of
air temperature will fall when the ducted unit is in medium or
a cooling system. In addition, if the heat pumps can satisfy all
high speed. This may feel cool, and uncomfortable to the tenants,
building heating requirements, no boiler is necessary saving floor
resulting in comfort complaints.
space.

If the staged electric heater is sized for high speed, when the fan
However, sometimes the first cost of a full ground-source system
coil is operating on low or medium speed it is possible to overheat
is prohibitive or there is not adequate space available for the
the space, and duct work. This may lead to hot and dry complaints.
geo-source heat exchanger installation. In such cases, a hybrid
Further, if the temperature continues to rise to an unacceptable
system which reduces the size of the geo-source heat exchanger
level this my trigger the duct heaters high temperature safeties, and
and includes a fluid cooler for additional heat rejection and/
disabling heat.
or a boiler as an additional heat source can reduce system first
cost with little or no impact on annual operating cost resulting A better option is to use SCR controlled duct heaters units. This
in much lower first cost and lower life-cycle cost. Because most allows the unit to be set a constant discharge air temperature. As
commercial building are “cooling dominant” a ground-source the airflow modulates, the SCR controller will vary the performance
sized for the heating load of the system with an auxiliary fluid to maintain setpoint. This strategy provides superior tenant
cooler for additional heat rejection results in the optimum life- comfort, and reduces nuisance complaints.
cycle cost.

There are many applications that have a prexisting source of

hydronic or steam heat. It may be desirable to use this
“low cost” resource as first stage heat, and the VRF heat pump
as second stage. This is possible with using the
TAC-US444CN-1 VRF to third-party interface with a third party
thermostat.

21
Zoning
Heat recovery VRF allows divergent operation—where some is the exterior zone is heating dominant during the winter
zones may be heated while others may be simultaneously months, and will transfer energy with its associated interior
cooled. When this occurs, the heat recovery VRF system zone. Using this strategy may also promote diversity in the
supplies hot gas to the heating unit, which will condense the design.
gas to a liquid. The liquid refrigerant is then sent to the branch
As with any design, there are multiple considerations. In
controller where it is subcooled and made available to the units,
the previous example, the designer combined multiple
that require cooling. This ability to transfer energy is measured
zones to promote SCHE functionality, the tradeoff is longer
as the simultaneous heating and cooling efficiency (SCHE)
pipe runs. This may increase the installation cost. An
rating, and is defined by AHRI Standard 1230. Higher ratings
alternative strategy combines each of the exterior zones
indicate better system energy transfer.
in a northwest and southeast strategy. It is still possible
It is possible to optimize a heat recovery design by combining to take advantage of the diversity of the solar loads when
divergent zones on the same system. Consider an example using heat recovery VRF. Further if the interior zone is a
where an application serves both eastern and western single large homogenous space it is possible to segregate
exposures. In the morning, it is common for the shaded western this to one zone as a heat pump system. This simplifies
exposure to require heat, while the sun-exposed eastern design and cost.
exposure requires cooling. When combined on a single system,
An important note, the previous example insists the
it is possible to transfer energy between these divergent zones.
interior zone is a single homogenous zones, i.e.: large
Another common example is an application with offices around call center, library, cafeteria, and open office area. If
the exterior perimeter and a larger cooling-dominant interior the interior zone consists of multiple small offices or
space. If the designer uses VRF, it is possible to divide the conference rooms, there is still significant divergence
cooling-dominant space into multiple smaller sub-zones. Each between the individual spaces. Many years of VRF
sub-zone is then combined with an exterior zone. The benefit experience has shown using heat pump systems for
divergent spaces is a misapplication, and rarely has
satisfactory outcomes.

22
Economizing with VRF Installer Training
Economizing may be required by the local energy code or To ensure system longevity and performance, it is critical to
standard. ASHRAE’s Standard 90.1 and ICC’s IECC require follow the manufacturer’s published installation instructions.
a free cooling economizer (air or water) to be used when Trane® and Mitsubishi Electric Trane US, LLC has created
the individual fan-cooling unit (indoor unit) system surpass one of the largest nationwide VRF training networks to
54,000 Btu/hr or 4.5 tons. VRF indoor units are generally educate the installer. Installers who complete factory
smaller than this threshold and are often exempt. training qualify for extended warranties of up to ten years.
Prior to installation, the design team should specify that
Airside economizing with a terminal units is challenging as
the installing contractor has provided proof of installation
the ventilation duct work must be sized to deliver for both
certification.
the 100 percent design supply airflow, and the minimum
ventilation airflow. When the unit capacity exceeds 4.5
tons, an alternative strategy may be to use blower coils or
central station air handlers with VRF LEV kits. This allows
the use of economizer mixing boxes, and simplifies the
design.

ASHRAE® Standard 90.1 and IECC offers another

exception based on condensing unit efficiency. If a
VRF indoor unit surpasses the size threshold and the
condensing unit exceeds the minimum efficiency
requirement by the prescribed percentage improvement,
then the economizer may be eliminated. This percentage
varies by climate zone.

Economizing with a DOAS will likely not satisfy the current

standard and code requirements for air economizing
because ventilation distribution systems are typically not
designed to provide 100 percent of the design supply air
quantity as outdoor air for cooling. Trane Horizon® DOAS
can provide ventilation free cooling, where the design
ventilation airflow is provided without mechanical cooling
during cold and mild weather. This cool or cold supply air
meets the ventilation requirements while also offsetting
some or all of the zone cooling loads, allowing the VRF
terminals to cycle on or off, or operate at reduced loads.

23
Humidity Control

M T YPE
S YSTE
Outdoor air, delivered to meet the ventilation requirement, is
often at an unsuitable temperature and/or humidity condition AT R E C O V E RY
HE
to be delivered directly to the occupied zones and therefore T P UMP
HE A
requires some conditioning. Designers have a variety of choices

HU
T E M CO N T ROL

EPENDENT

OU
with different levels of impact to the zone temperature and

MIDIT
G R AT E D

TDOOR AIR
humidity conditions. VRF indoor unit sizing and operation are

S PA C E
TRANE

Y CON T R
VRF SYSTEMS
also impacted.

INTE

IND
SYS
Designers may choose to supply conditioned outdoor air at a

OL
predetermined supply air dew point temperature, such as 55°F, ERV
or they may determine the supply air temperature based upon
DOAS
the zone humidity level desired. VE
NTI EM
L AT I O N S Y S T

Ventilation Options
Designers have several options to provide ventilation air to the
occupied spaces, including: Use an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) to condition
the outdoor air. Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) are
Supply unconditioned outdoor air to the VRF indoor units.
packaged heat recovery devices, which transfer heat
In this configuration, outdoor air is ducted to each VRF indoor
between two airstreams. A variety of energy recovery
unit or the VRF indoor unit features an outdoor air opening and
technologies are used, some of which transfer
damper arrangement to allow some outdoor air to be mixed
sensible and latent heat between airstream. When
with the recirculated air.
used to precondition outdoor air, heat and moisture
are transferred between the outgoing exhaust air
If untreated outdoor air is ducted straight into the occupied
stream and incoming outdoor air stream. During the
zone, it may become a significant source of sensible and
cooling season, heat and humidity are transferred
latent load during hot and humid days. This will increase zone
from the outdoor airstream to the cooler, drier exhaust
sensible and latent loads, which results in the need for a larger
air stream, reducing the dry-bulb temperature and
VRF indoor unit. Zone humidity may rise to unacceptable
humidity ratio of the entering outdoor air. During the
levels when humid outdoor air is supplied to the zone without
heating season, heat and humidity are transferred
treatment.
from the exhaust air stream to the outdoor air stream,
If untreated outdoor air is ducted to the VRF unit, the indoor increasing the dry-bulb temperature and humidity ratio
unit must be sized to offset the additional sensible and latent of the entering outdoor air.
loads. In addition to this, attention must be paid to outdoor air
Sensible-only devices include fixed plate heat
duct sizing to ensure adequate ventilation air can reach the
exchangers, heat pipes, and coil-runaround loops.
indoor unit.
Total energy recovery devices, which transfer both
sensible and latent heat, include total energy wheels
and membrane-style fixed plate heat exchangers.

24
 Lossnay ERV
To ensure airflow through both sides of the heat exchanger,
a fan may be used. As a result, ERVs often have two fans to
move incoming outdoor air and exhaust air through the device.

ERVs have limited control of outdoor air pretreatment. Some

models include capacity control, but they are not able to
maintain desired leaving air conditions throughout the entire
operating envelope, like a dedicated outdoor air system.

Use a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) to condition

Trane dedicated outdoor air systems
the outdoor air. Dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) are
systems that cool, dehumidify, and heat the outdoor airstream
independently of the recirculated airstream. These devices
allow the ventilation loads to be decoupled from the other
building heat loads, such as internal and envelope loads. A
DOAS sufficiently dehumidifies and tempers the outdoor air
to meet both the latent load and the ventilation requirements
for all spaces served by the system. Separating the building’s
cooling load makes it easier to effectively ventilate and
dehumidify occupied spaces. A DOAS can be designed to
deliver conditioned outdoor air directly to each occupied space
or to the individual VRF terminals serving those spaces.

DOAS may be equipped with energy recovery devices.

Heat transfer is accomplished as the exhaust and outdoor
air streams pass through the energy recovery device. Heat
transfer may be sensible-recovery only, meaning only the
dry-bulb temperature is affected by heat exchange, or total
recovery, in which both sensible heat and moisture are
transferred between the two air streams.

25
Humidity Control Strategies

Space Humidity Control

In most applications, in most climates, the DOAS is sized to dehumidify the outdoor air to remove the latent load from the
entering outdoor air, and is often then dehumidified a little further. In this case, the resulting dew point of the conditioned
air is drier than the space, dry enough that this quantity of outdoor air also removes most, or all, of the space latent loads. In
an outdoor humidity control application, the dedicated outdoor air system is controlled to maintain a supply air dew-point
temperature at a pre-determined value, such as 55°F.

Outdoor Air Humidity Control

In some cases, the local VRF terminals may also help to dehumidify the space when the sensible-cooling load is high, yielding
an indoor humidity that is drier than the maximum upper limit. As a rule of thumb, size the dedicated outdoor air unit so that
it offsets both the ventilation load and the space latent loads at the peak outdoor-enthalpy condition. A system that controls
humidity based upon space conditions maintains space humidity at all loads. This is accomplished by resetting the dedicated
outdoor air system supply air dew-point temperature to maintain the desired space humidity setpoint. To size equipment, the
designer must analyze the space loads at full- and part-load conditions to determine the required control setpoint.

Designers can select DOAS to supply warm, neutral air, or cool, dry air to the zone. The resulting zone conditions and terminal
unit size are affected by the DOAS supply air dry-bulb temperature and dew-point temperature. A colder supply air condition
from the DOAS partially offsets the space sensible cooling loads, allowing the VRF terminal units to be sized smaller.

Designing a dedicated outdoor air system

A seven-step process to select a dedicated outdoor

air system and corresponding leaving air conditions is
outlined within Trane’s “Dedicated Outdoor Air
Systems” application guide (SYS-APG001*-EN).

The process includes selecting the correct outdoor

air design conditions, identifying design zone
humidity conditions, and evaluating space latent loads
to determine the required dew point temperature for
the conditioned outdoor air.

The free Application Guide can be accessed at

www.trane.com/Horizon.

26
Cold or Neutral Air?

The DOAS should dehumidify outdoor air so that it is drier than the zone. A by-product of dehumidifying outdoor air is cooling (OA
to DH), but many designers choose to reheat the dehumidified air to a “neutral” dry-bulb temperature (DH to CA) closer to the
zone setpoint. While delivering the dehumidified air at neutral temperature can simplify controls, it also wastes sensible cooling
provided by the DOAS.

If the DOAS supplies air directly to each zone or to the supply-side of a VRF indoor unit, the dehumidified outdoor can be delivered
“cold” rather than reheated to “neutral” by the DOAS. The cool supply air offsets some of the zone sensible cooling load, often
allowing the indoor unit to be downsized and sized for less airflow and cooling capacity.

Maximum leaving air temperature limited in recent building energy standards and codes

The committee responsible for writing ANSI®/ASHRAE®/Standard 90.1-2016 added a prescriptive requirement
(Section 6.5.2.6) limiting the maximum supply air temperature for a DOAS when operating with zone heating and
cooling systems, such as VRF. The requirement prohibits the use of reheat or heat recovery “to warm the supply air
above 60°F when representative building loads or outdoor air temperature indicate that the majority of zones require
cooling.” The 2018 International Energy Conservation Code® includes a similar requirement.

27
Using Cold Supply Air
The use of cold supply air provides some advantages, There are situations when a DOAS will need to reheat
when compared to neutral-temperature air: the dehumidified conditioned air:

Requires less overall cooling capacity. The required To avoid overcooling at part-load conditions.
capacity of the DOAS unit is the same, regardless of Delivering cold conditioned air, at dry-bulb temperatures
whether the dehumidified air is reheated by hot-gas reheat colder than the zone temperature, offsets some of
to room neutral or not, but the required cooling capacity of the zone sensible cooling load. As this sensible load
each local unit is less in a cold-air system when compared decreases due to changes in outdoor conditions, solar
to a neutral-air system. heat gain, and internal loads, it’s possible that the cold,
conditioned outdoor may provide more sensible cooling
Requires less overall cooling energy for much of the than is required, which results in overcooling the zone.
year. VRF indoor units use less energy to provide cooling at There are several strategies that can be used to avoid
each local unit when the DOAS supplies cold conditioned overcooling including:
air. A neutral-air system wastes the sensible cooling benefit
by reheating the cold, dehumidified air. • the use of DOAS heat/reheat to temper the
conditioned air
Requires less overall fan airflow and, therefore, less • the use of discharge air temperature reset to
fan energy. For zones that require seasonal cooling and increase the DOAS supply air dry-bulb temperature
heating, the design supply airflow delivered by the VRF • the use of demand-controlled ventilation to reduce
indoor unit is less in a cold-air system when compared the quantity of outdoor air delivered to the zone
• the use of VRF indoor unit heating
to a neutral-air system, which results in less fan energy
• the use of auxiliary zone heating
consumption. For zones that require year-round cooling,
the local VRF indoor unit may not be downsized as much, In applications where zone sensible cooling loads
because it may be sized based upon the warmest DOAS differ greatly at any given time. When the DOAS
supply air temperature expected. serves zones where sensible cooling loads can vary
dramatically between the different zones served, such
as hotel guest rooms and dormitories, delivering cold
conditioned air may result in frequent overcooling for
some zones. For these applications, it may be simpler
to reheat the conditioned outdoor air to a neutral
temperature because the benefit of cold air delivery
occurs less frequently.

In zones where the sensible cooling load is high during

daytime hours, such as classrooms and offices, the use
of cold air provides more benefit. The conditioned air
may be reheated as zone loads decrease, if demand
controlled ventilation is not employed to reduce outdoor
air volume as zone population decreases.

28
In applications that require lower-than-normal dew Reduce or Eliminate DOAS Reheat
point temperatures. Very low dew-point temperatures
Consider delivering conditioned outdoor air to the
may be required in certain applications. The DOAS must
zones cold, and not reheated to room-neutral conditions
create very cold air to sufficiently remove the latent
whenever possible. Delivering cold air to the zones
load and meet the dew-point temperature requirement.
offsets some sensible cooling loads, while also
The resulting dry-bulb temperature of the air leaving
offsetting latent loads. This allows VRF equipment to
the cooling coil may be colder than the designer is
be downsized. Using reheat wastes energy if cooling is
comfortable—below 45°F, for example. The dehumidified
needed within the zone. There are cases when reheat is
outdoor air could be reheated to a warmer dry-bulb
needed to temper the conditioned outdoor air, such as:
temperature that remains cooler than the zone—55°F, for
example.
• Some or all zones are at very low sensible cooling
To avoid condensation when conditioned outdoor air loads requiring warmer DOAS supply air (to prevent
overcooling the zones)
is delivered to the ceiling plenum. If cold air is supplied
• Majority of zones are in heating mode
by the DOAS to a ceiling plenum, near one or more
terminal units, it is allowed to mix with recirculated To reduce or eliminate the need for reheat, consider one
air in the plenum. The conditioned air may need to be or several of the following strategies:
reheated above the expected dew-point temperature of
the surrounding air within the plenum. If infiltration is Discharge air temperature reset. During periods of

expected within the plenum due to wind effects, exhaust mild weather or when the majority of VRF terminals are

fan operation, or the DOAS not operating, condensation heating, the discharge air temperature of the DOAS is

may form as humid, untreated outdoor air leaks through reset upward to reduce the amount of sensible cooling

the envelope. provided by the outdoor air. To ensure adequate

dehumidification on a humid day, reheat could be used
to sensibly heat the air from the supply air dew-point
temperature setpoint to a warmer supply air dry-bulb
temperature.

Air-to-air energy recovery. Air-to-air energy recovery

devices can be used to reclaim heat from the exhaust
air stream and reheat the dehumidified supply air,
downstream of the cooling coil, before being supplied to
the zones. Sensible-only devices include fixed plate heat
exchangers, heat-pipes, and coil-runaround loops.

29
Psychrometric Analyses
Impact of Different Supply-Air Conditions at Cooling Design and Full Load
The table below shows four DOAS supply-air conditions To ventilate the conference room, the ERV/DOAS will
evaluated with psychrometric analyses. The impact of these deliver 185 cfm of outdoor air directly into the zone. The
conditions upon the ERV/DOAS, VRF indoor unit sizing, and conference room cooling setpoint is 75°F, with a desired
the resulting zone humidity at varying space loads is shown. humidity level of 50 percent relative humidity, which
equates to a humidity ratio of 67.3 gr/lb. Using a whole
Consider an example of a 1000-ft22 conference room in an
building load and energy analysis software programs
office building in Atlanta, Georgia. Design occupancy is 25
such as TRACE® 3D Plus, a design sensible cooling
people. Conference rooms typically have low outdoor airflow
load of 11,800 Btu/hr and design latent load of 3,900
rates per person compared to other space types and as a
Btu/hr has been computed. A VRF terminal supply-air
result, pose large dehumidification challenges.
temperature of 57°F has been selected to ensure the
supply air humidity ratio is less than the desired zone
humidity ratio, which allows the indoor unit to provide
some dehumidification.

Impact of ERV and DOAS Supply-Air Conditions on Conference Room Humidity at Full- and Part-Load Conditions(1)
ERV DOAS
ERV/DOAS 81.7°F DBT 77.2°F DBT 77.2°F DBT 70°F DBT
Supply-air conditions (81.7°F DBT/63.4°F (77.2°F DBT/70.3°F (77.2°F DBT/71.2°F (70.0°F DBT/66.5 DPT/101.6 gr/lb)
DPT/91.3 gr/lb) DPT/116.5 gr/lb) DPT/119.7 gr/lb)

Space loads 11,800 7,800 6,125 11,800 7,800 6,125

(sensible/latent, Btu/hr) 3,900 3,900 3,900 3,900 3,900 3,900
Space SHR 0.752 0.667 0.611 0.752 0.667 0.611
Space load offset by -1,345 -442 -442 1,004 1,004 1,004
ventilation system(2) -1,953 -3,140 -2,553 -2,578 -1,889 -1,060
(sensible/latent, Btu/hr)
Loads offset by VRF 13,145 8,242 6,567 10,796 6,796 5,121
terminal unit 5,853 7,040 6,453 6,478 5,789 4,960
(sensible/latent, Btu/hr)(3)
VRF terminal airflow, cfm(4) 673 505 505 553 415 415
Resulting space relative 56.7% 67.7% 73.3% 62.0% 68.6% 73.3%
humidity(5)

(1)
Cooling design weather: ASHRAE® 0.4% design cooling weather: 94.0°F dry-bulb temperature/74.2°F wet-bulb temperature at an altitude of 1,057 feet. Part-load weather: ASHRAE 0.4
percent design dehumidification weather (74.3°F DPT/81.3°F MCDBT) to account for worst-case outdoor air humidity.
(2)
A negative value indicates load is added to the zone because the outdoor air has not been cooled and/or dehumidified to a supply condition below the desired space conditions.
(3)
Values used in this example are illustrative and may not reflect actual equipment performance.
(4)
For this analysis, the two-speed terminal unit operates at minimum speed at part load conditions, which is 75 percent of design airflow.
(5)
The desired zone relative humidity at design is 50 percent. Space relative humidity above 65 percent are shaded in red, values between 65 and 55 percent shaded in yellow, and under 55
percent shaded in green.

30
 Impact of Different Supply-Air Conditions at Part Load
When it is hot outside, the ventilation sensible cooling load design. The design sensible load for this space is 11,800 Btu/
often exceeds the latent load. When it is cooler but humid hr. At the first part-load condition, the space sensible load was
outside, the latent load often exceeds the sensible cooling reduced to 7,800 Btu/hr, resulting in a space sensible heat
load. Sensible and latent ventilation loads do not peak at ratio (SHR) of 0.667. At the second part-load condition, the
the same time. For these reasons, the DOAS should be space sensible load was reduced to 6,125 Btu/hr, resulting in a
evaluated at both cooling and dehumidification design SHR of 0.611. (This value was chosen to represent the people
conditions. design load, which includes the corresponding design latent
load.) In this analysis, the DOAS has been appropriately sized
The same conference room is analyzed at part-load with
to always provide the required supply-air conditions.
0.4 percent design dehumidification weather conditions.
The Atlanta, Georgia design dehumidification dew-point As the space sensible load decreases, the VRF terminal
temperature is 74.3°F with a mean coincident dry-bulb performs less dehumidification because it is controlled to
temperature of 81.3°F. maintain space temperature (sensible load, only).

To analyze part-load conditions, the internal and lighting

loads have been reduced so the sensible load is less than

55°F DBT 50°F DBT 45°F DBT

(55.0°F DBT/54.4 DPT/65.5 gr/lb) (50.0°F DBT/49.5 DPT/54.5 gr/lb) (45.0°F DBT/44.5 DPT/45.0 gr/lb)

11,800 7,800 6,125 11,800 7,800 6,125 11,800 7,800 6,125

3,900 3,900 3,900 3,900 3,900 3,900 3,900 3,900 3,900
0.752 0.667 0.611 0.752 0.667 0.611 0.752 0.667 0.611
4,015 4,015 4,015 5,018 5,018 5,018 6,022 6,022 6,022
945 2,323 3,064 2,017 2,923 3,574 2,829 3,676 3,676

7,785 3,785 2,110 6,782 2,782 1,107 5,778 1,778 103

2,955 1,577 836 1,883 977 326 1,071 224 224

399 299 299 347 260 260 296 222 222

54.2% 62.0% 66.2% 52.1% 57.5% 61.2% 49.8% 54.8% 54.8%

31
ERV at full load
The ERV cools and dehumidifies the outdoor air as it
passes through the air-to-air heat exchanger (OA to CA).
Because there is no mechanical cooling system, as found
in the DOAS, the leaving-air conditions are dependent upon CA OA
the outdoor air conditions. At the ASHRAE® 0.4 percent
cooling design conditions (OA), the leaving-air conditions MA zone
CC
are computed to be 81.7°F dry-bulb temperature and 91.3
gr/lb (CA). These conditions are above the desired space
dry-bulb temperature and humidity conditions, which
results in sensible and latent loads added to the space by
the ERV. These loads must be offset by the VRF indoor OA: outdoor air
unit, and is reflected in the indoor unit design capacity and CA: conditioned outdoor air from ERV or DOAS
Zone: space conditions
airflow. Conditioned outdoor air (CA) mixes with conditioned CC: VRF terminal unit supply air
recirculated air from the VRF system (CC) to make the MA: mixed air condition resulting from the mixing of conditioned
ERV/DOAS air (CA) and VRF terminal unit supply air (CC).
mixed air condition (MA). After a psychrometric analysis of
the entire system, the zone relative humidity arrived at 55.3
percent at design (compared to the desired target of 50
percent).

32
ERV at part load
At part load, the ERV is analyzed using ASHRAE® 0.4
percent design dehumidification weather conditions.
Because there is no mechanical cooling system, the OA

leaving air conditions are computed to be 77.2°F dry-bulb CA

temperature and 116.5 or 119.7 gr/lb for the two part-load
zone
cases. MA
CC

These conditions are above the target space dry-bulb

temperature and humidity ratio, which results in sensible
and latent loads added to the space by the ERV. These
loads must be offset by the indoor unit. At the part-load
condition where the SHR is 0.667, the resulting space
humidity is 67.7 percent. As the SHR becomes “steeper” at
0.611, and space sensible load approaches the latent loads
the terminal provides less dehumidification and the result
is a higher space relative humidity at 73.3 percent. OA
CA

zone
MA
CC

33
DOAS
Moving left to right in the table on pages 30 and 31, condition, such as 55°F dry bulb and 65.5 gr/lb (54.4°F dew
the DOAS supplies colder, drier air, resulting in more point) offsets some zone latent load, but not enough to reach
dehumidification and coincidental cooling. That is, the the desired zone humidity condition of 67.3 gr/lb (50 percent
colder DOAS supply-air dry-bulb temperature offsets more relative humidity at 75°F). Supplying air at an even drier
of the zone sensible cooling load, allowing the VRF indoor condition, such as 45°F DBT and 45.0 gr/lb (44.5°F dew point),
unit to be a smaller size. This also allows the indoor unit fan allows the conditioned air volume to offset the zone latent
be downsized. load and maintain the desired zone humidity level.

The DOAS can maintain the desired zone humidity As shown in the table below, progressively colder and drier
when the designer selects a supply-air condition that is DOAS supply air conditions yield smaller VRF indoor unit
sufficiently dry. For example, just cooling the conditioned capacity requirements and airflows, because the conditioned
air to 70°F dry bulb in the first scenario results in air air is offsetting more of the zone sensible and latent loads.
supplied at 101.6 gr/lb. This adds latent load to the zone, The use of smaller VRF terminals may even reduce the
as it is well above the desired zone humidity level. In required refrigerant pipe sizes and charge.
comparison, dehumidifying the conditioned air to a drier

Impact of DOAS Supply-Air Conditions on Terminal Size

ERV DOAS
70.0°F DBT 55.0°F DBT 50.0°F DBT 45.0°F DBT

(70.0°F DBT/66.5 (55.0°F DBT/54.4 (50.0°F DBT/49.5 (45.0°F DBT/44.5

DPT/101.6 gr/lb) DPT/65.5 gr/lb) DPT/54.5 gr/lb) DPT/45.0 gr/lb)
VRF indoor unit design capacity, 1.6 1.4 0.9 0.7 0.6
tons
VRF indoor unit design airflow, cfm 673 553 399 347 296

34
DOAS at Full Load

70°F dry-bulb temperature/66.5°F dew-point temperature. Outdoor

air enters the DOAS and is cooled to 70°F dry bulb/66.5°F dew point.
The change in humidity ratio is nearly negligible, indicating very little CA OA
dehumidification of the outdoor air occurs. Moreover, because the
zone
humidity ratio of the conditioned outdoor air is higher than the desired MA
CC
zone humidity ratio, latent load is added to the zone. With these DOAS
supply-air conditions, the VRF indoor unit must be sized to offset 1.4 tons
of cooling load at 553 cfm. Throughout operation, the VRF indoor unit
will likely have to provide the majority of the dehumidification, resulting in
frequent high zone humidity levels. After a psychrometric analysis of the
entire system at design conditions, the zone relative humidity arrived at
62.0 percent at design (compared to the desired target of 50 percent).

55°F dry-bulb temperature/54.4°F dew-point temperature. Outdoor OA

air enters the DOAS and is cooled and dehumidified to 55°F dry
bulb/54.4°F dew point. Unlike the previous scenario, the DOAS provides CA MA zone
CC
some dehumidification to offset the zone latent loads. With these DOAS
supply-air conditions, the VRF terminal must be sized to offset 0.9 tons
of cooling load at 399 cfm. After psychrometric analysis of the entire
system, the zone relative humidity arrived at 54.2 percent at design
conditions (compared to the desired target of 50 percent).

50°F dry-bulb temperature/49.5°F dew-point temperature.

OA
Outdoor air enters the DOAS and is cooled and dehumidified to 50°F
DBT/49.5°F DPT. With these DOAS supply-air conditions, the VRF
terminal must be sized to offset 0.7 tons of cooling load at 347 cfm. zone
CC
After psychrometric analysis of the entire system, the zone relative CA MA
humidity arrived at 52.1 percent at design conditions (compared to the
desired target of 50 percent).

45°F dry-bulb temperature/44.5°F dew-point temperature.

Outdoor air enters the DOAS and is cooled and dehumidified to 45°F
DBT/44.5°F DPT. With these DOAS supply air conditions, the VRF OA
terminal must be sized to offset 0.6 tons of cooling load at 296 cfm.
After psychrometric analysis of the entire system, the zone relative
CC zone
humidity arrived at 49.8 percent at design conditions (compared to the MA
CA
desired target of 50 percent).

35
DOAS at Part Load

Similarly, at part-load conditions, the resulting space relative humidity level rises above the design target of 50 percent. As the SHR
becomes “steeper” and space sensible load approaches the latent load, the VRF terminal provides less dehumidification, which
results in higher space relative humidity levels.

DOAS: 70°F supply air: Part load 0.667 SHR DOAS: 70°F supply air: Part load 0.611 SHR

OA OA

CA CA
zone
zone MA
MA CC
CC

DOAS: 55°F supply air: Part load 0.667 SHR DOAS: 55°F supply air: Part load 0.611 SHR

OA OA

zone zone
CC CC
CA MA CA
MA

DOAS: 50.0°F supply air: Part load 0.667 SHR DOAS: 50°F supply air: Part load 0.611 SHR

OA OA

CC zone CC zone
MA MA
CA CA

36
At the 45°F supply-air condition, the DOAS provides the majority of space sensible cooling and dehumidification.
As space sensible loads decrease, the VRF terminal supply-air temperature can be increased and/or the VRF indoor unit can be cycled
on and off (depending on outdoor air delivery configuration—see “Ventilation Delivery” on page 45 for additional discussion). Because
the DOAS offsets nearly the entire space latent load, the resulting space relative humidity level surpasses the design target of 50 percent
by a smaller margin compared to “warmer” DOAS supply-air conditions.

DOAS: 45°F supply air: Part load 0.667 SHR DOAS: 45°F supply air: Part load 0.611 SHR

OA OA

CC CC
zone zone
MA MA
CA CA

Oversupplying ventilation air

For those zones that are experiencing high humidity, consider supplying more than the minimum ventilation required. The
additional dehumidified ventilation air will offset more of the space latent load, resulting in lower space humidity levels.

37
Ventilation System
M T YPE
S YSTE

AT R E C O V E RY
HE
T P UMP
HE A
Ventilation equipment is available in a wide variety of options.

HU
T E M CO N T ROL

EPENDENT

OU

MIDIT
In most cases, equipment can be classified into one of the

G R AT E D

TDOOR AIR

S PA C E
TRANE
following categories:

Y CON T R
VRF SYSTEMS
• Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV)

INTE

IND
• Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS)

SYS

OL
There are also a wide variety of considerations for ventilation ERV
equipment, including:
DOAS
VE
NTI EM
Location: indoors or outside. Equipment may be located L AT I O N S Y S T

inside a building or outside, perhaps on the roof. The location of

ventilation equipment impacts a variety of other considerations,
such as:
• Equipment insulation Supplemental heat. In cold climates, the outdoor air will
• Building structure design to support rooftop-mounted likely need to be heated before distribution to the occupied
equipment zones. There are a variety of heating sources available,
• Need for low ambient operating equipment in cold climates including heat pump, hot water, electric heat, natural gas, or
• Condensate management systems steam. Energy recovery devices can also be used to pre-heat
cold outdoor air using recovered heat from the exhaust air
Energy recovery device. There are a variety of energy recovery
stream.
devices available. Some devices are designed to only transfer
sensible heat, while others transfer sensible and latent heat. Demand controlled ventilation (DCV). The use of demand
Common examples include energy wheels and fixed membrane controlled ventilation allows the BAS to modulate the flow of
cores. ventilation air as zone population changes. If the outdoor air
intake is varied throughout operation, a variable speed supply
fan must be supplied. Building exhaust and pressure systems
must also be designed accordingly. For more information on
DCV, see page 47.

38
Energy Recovery Ventilators

An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) includes an energy This allows the ERV to partially cool in the summer and partially

recovery device, a fan, and filters. An ERV provides passive heat the outdoor air in the winter. For mild weather operation,

treatment of the outdoor air because there is no mechanical ERVs will often include an air bypass when energy recovery is

cooling present. Some ERVs are designed to only transfer not needed.

sensible heat, while others transfer sensible and latent heat.

Without mechanical cooling, an ERV will not dehumidify
Examples include sensible-only and total-energy wheels and
and cooling capability is limited. Thus, an ERV is best
fixed membrane heat exchangers.
suited for milder climates where mechanical cooling and

An ERV includes two distinct air paths: an exhaust air path dehumidification may not be needed.

and an outdoor air path. During the cooling season, the

Consider the Lossnay® model for ventilation needs up to 1200
air-to-air heat exchanger is used to precool the outdoor
cfm and the Performance Climate Changer® CSAA model for
air. Heat and moisture are transferred from the hot, humid
ventilation requirements from 1200 to over 20,000 cfm.
outdoor air to the cooler, drier exhaust air stream. In the
heating season, ERVs use the air-to-air heat exchanger to
preheat the air. Heat is transferred from the warm exhaust
air to the cooler outdoor air stream.

OA EA

EA’ OA’

Exhaust Air Energy Demand-Controlled

Model Equipment Location Supplemental Heat
Recovery Ventilation
Lossnay® inside core none yes
CSAA inside or outside any any yes

Model Airflow capability (CFM)

Lossnay 1200
CSAA 1200 20,000+

Model Static pressure capability (in.w.g.)

Lossnay 0.75
CSAA 8

39
Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems
A dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) achieves active outdoor air conditioning with the addition of mechanical cooling and
heating, which serve to cool, dehumidify, and heat outdoor air. This conditioned ventilation air is then supplied to the occupied
spaces.

Mechanical cooling and dehumidification can be provided by a direct expansion cooling coil or chilled-water cooling coil. It’s
common to find a direct expansion DOAS in installations that lack a chilled water system.

Dedicated outdoor air units are designed to handle 100 percent outdoor air but some can be supplied with a recirculating
air damper. This damper, used in combination with the outdoor air damper, can be used to ensure the DOAS conditions
recirculated air during unoccupied or morning warm-up/cool-down modes.

DOAS units with DX coils are available as a packaged solution, or a split solution. Split systems typically install an air handler
inside the building and have a connected condensing unit outside.

Packaged systems can be supplied with factory-installed refrigerant piping and hot gas reheat systems, eliminating the need for
field installation. As a result, packaged DOAS units are an ideal choice for applications that require DX-recovered heat

The tables that follow include two additional columns to differentiate DOAS equipment:

Space humidity management: DX recovered reheat:

• No: outdoor air is dehumidified to a dew point temperature that is • Hot gas reheat (HGRH) or recovered heat from the
higher than (or equal to) the desired space dew point. In this case, terminal system. Used to heat the supply air to prevent
space humidity can vary at part-load operation. This strategy overcooling the zone.
may be used to achieve minimum compliance with codes or
standards that require a maximum humidity level at design DOAS units containing a DX coil are available in either a

conditions. packaged solution or a split solution, the latter with the option
to mount the air-handling portion inside or outside of the
• Yes: Capability exists to manage space humidity at all operating building.
conditions, which means the outdoor air is dehumidified to a dew
point temperature that is lower than the desired space dew point.
With this strategy, some of the space latent loads may be offset
by the ventilation system.

• Yes with CDQ™: Capability exists to manage space humidity

below the “dew point barrier” using a Cool, Dry, Quiet (CDQ®)
wheel. See sidebar, below.

CDQ™
The Performance Climate Changer® CSAA unit is available with an additional dehumidification capability known as Trane Cool, Dry
Quiet™ or CDQ. An air handler equipped with CDQ uses a type III desiccant wheel to lower the supply air dew point temperature
below the saturated dew point limit of the cooling coil. It achieves this reduction by adsorbing moisture from the air downstream
of the coil, and rejecting that moisture upstream of the coil. The cooling coil still performs all the dehumidification work, with the
CDQ wheel creating an opportunity to lower the dew point temperature below the supply air dew point at saturation—something
known as the “dew point barrier.”

A type III desiccant wheel is separate and distinct from an energy recovery wheel. A unit that includes both an energy wheel and a
CDQ wheel is known as a “dual-wheel” unit.

For more information on CDQ, see Trane brochure CDQ-SLB001-EN or Engineers Newsletter ADM-APN016-EN.

40
Horizon™ Dedicated Outdoor Air System

The Horizon™ product line is a complete DOAS solution and pressure capability needed to meet a variety of ventilation
capable of space humidity management with optional requirements. If additional airflow or pressure capability is needed,
DX-recovered reheat and optional exhaust air energy consider a custom DX solution or a DOAS split system.
recovery. The Horizon™ product line has the airflow

DX Demand-
Exhaust Air Supplemental Space Humidity
Model Equipment Location Recovered Controlled
Energy Recovery Heat Management
Reheat Ventilation
Horizon™ outside wheel any (excl. steam) yes yes yes

Model Airflow capability (CFM)

Horizon™ 500 20,000

Model Pressure capability (in.w.g.)

Horizon™ 4.00

41
Trane® Mixed Air Unit

The Mixed Air Unit product line is a DOAS solution capable of

limited space humidity management. Optional DX-recovered
reheat and optional exhaust air energy recovery are available.
The Mixed Air Unit product line has the airflow and pressure
capability to meet small and medium ventilation requirements.
Consider Horizon™ DOAS, a custom DX solution, or a DOAS
split system if space humidity management is required, or if
greater airflow or pressure capabilities are needed.

DX Demand-
Exhaust Air Supplemental Space Humidity
Model Equipment Location Recovered Controlled
Energy Recovery Heat Management
Reheat Ventilation
Mixed Air electric
outside wheel no yes yes
Unit gas

Model Airflow capability (CFM)

Mixed Air
4,000 6,000
Unit

Model Pressure Capacity (in. w.g.)

electric or gas heat - 2.0 inches w.g.
Mixed Air
Unit
no heat - 4.0 inches w.g.

42
Split DOAS
A split DOAS combines a wide variety of air handler options with condensing units. The use of air handlers provides numerous
options for casing construction types, fan types, fan quantities to address redundancy needs, air-to-air heat recovery options,
air cleaning options, acoustical options, and many more. A split DOAS may be chosen for a variety of reasons, including:

• Offers a larger variety of air handling options, including the ability to locate the AHU indoors

• Offers higher airflow and static pressure capabilities

• In some cases, DOAS and terminal units can be served by the same condensing units, enabling heat recovery between
the DOAS and terminal system

The TPEFY-OA outdoor air processing (OAP) unit is designed to handle 100% outdoor air and has the ability to operate within a
limited temperature range with limited controls. The unit can integrate with other indoor units including simple integration with
the native City Multi® BAS system. It is best suited for zone-level ventilation tempering when precise temperature control and
space humidity management are not a priority.

The Trane Blower Coil Air Handler (BXCD) and Performance Climate Changer® models UCCA and CSAA offer increasing
flexibility for a wide variety of building needs. For the most flexibility, consider a Trane custom air handler.

DX Demand-
Exhaust Air Supplemental Space Humidity
Model Equipment Location Recovered Controlled
Energy Recovery Heat Management
Reheat Ventilation
TPEFY-OA inside none none no * no
BCXD inside none any (excl. gas) no no yes
UCCA inside or out none any (excl. gas) yes no yes
CSAA inside or out wheel or core any yes + CDQ® * yes

*Contact factory for recovered reheat options available on the TPEFY-OA (1200 CFM only) or CSAA product lines

43
 Model Airflow (CFM)
TPEFY-OA 1200
BCXD 2400
UCCA 1200 15,000
CSAA 1200 20,000+

Model Static pressure capability (in.w.g.)

TPEFY-OA 1.00
BCXD 2.50
UCCA 6.00
CSAA 8.00

*BCXD, UCCA, and CSAA products assume nominal CFM at 400 FPM
**CSAA limited to 80 tons (unit size 30) in Trane Select Assist, contact factory for larger applications

Special considerations should be given when split DOAS and terminal units share common condensing units. To avoid any
operating mode conflicts, the correct outdoor unit must be chosen for the application.

Which outdoor unit to select depending on whether the outdoor units are:

• Dedicated for the ventilation system: Y-series (heat pump), unless recovered reheat. Contact factory for more information.

• Shared with the terminal system: R2-series (heat recovery)

A split DOAS should typically use its own condensing unit primarily due to the cooling and heat capacity needed to treat the outdoor
air. In smaller applications, however, the condensing unit may be shared with the terminal units. When outdoor units are shared, the
load from the DOAS unit(s) may not be greater than 30 percent of the total connected system (ventilation load plus terminal load). In
addition, the combination ratio is limited to 110 percent or less.

See page 64 for more information on split DOAS considerations with an LEV kit.

Other Ventilation Options

In addition to the dedicated ventilation equipment discussed, there are a number of split, mixed-air options. In this case, the
ventilation and terminal systems are the same. Equipment in this category would include fan coils or air handlers that have mixing
capabilities, as well as unit ventilators.

Unit Ventilator

Unit ventilators are commonly applied in classroom

environments, but they could be an option for any building
where an outside wall is available for the ventilation air opening.
A unit ventilator is capable of providing airside economizing
during mild weather.

44
Ventilation Delivery
There are several different methods to deliver ventilation air from the dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) to the zone
occupants. These methods include delivering unconditioned outdoor air direct to the terminal unit, delivering conditioned
outdoor air direct to the terminal unit, and delivering conditioned outdoor air direct to the zone. All are commonly used and
have their own inherit advantages and drawbacks.

Unconditioned Outdoor Air Direct to the Terminal Unit unconditioned outdoor air

OA
In this configuration, sometimes called the “direct ventilation
method,” outdoor air is ducted directly to a terminal unit. This local HVAC unit
unconditioned outdoor air mixes with return air then conditioned
using the VRF terminal unit’s coil. The ventilation air is not
preconditioned, and requires the VRF indoor units to offset all
dehumidification, cooling, and heating loads. In addition to the
SA RA RA SA
indoor unit, additional filtration and duct booster fans are often
required. The direct method should only be considered for dry
climates, and/or applications requiring minimal ventilation air. EA EA

Advantages
Limitations
• Simple, inexpensive method to provide ventilation to
• VRF indoor units have limited dehumidification, cooling, and heating
each zone.
capabilities
• May require inline booster fan to ensure ventilation air delivery to indoor unit
• May require airflow modulation device (louvers, variable speed booster fan
with controls) or VAV box to ensure outdoor air delivery as indoor unit fan
speed changes
• Measurement and balancing is more difficult than if outdoor air delivered
directly to zone
• May need to increase outdoor air quantity in heating mode (Ez < 1.0) to
comply with ASHRAE® Standard 62.1 ventilation requirements.
• Requires field-fabrication to connect outdoor air duct
• VRF terminal fan must operate continuously to provide outdoor air during
scheduled occupancy

And, unlike traditional DOAS, this system minimizes fan and ventilation
conditioning energy when only some zones require ventilation. A
traditional dedicated outdoor air system may operate at full speed
whenever the building is minimally occupied as there are no dampers
to prevent ventilating unoccupied zones.

45
Conditioned Outdoor Air Direct to the Terminal Unit

An alternative configuration, sometimes called the “integrated ventilation method,” delivers preconditioned and filtered outdoor air
directly to the intake of each VRF indoor unit, using Lossnay energy recovery ventilator, Trane TPEFY® VRF outdoor air processing
unit, Horizon® DOAS, or Performance Climate Changer® air handler.

Conditioned outdoor air is ducted directly to the return side of each VRF indoor unit where it mixes with return air and is then
further conditioned by the VRF unit and discharged directly to the space. This approach is typically used when VRF terminals are
installed in the ceiling plenum or in a closet near the space.
Advantages
• Helps ensure required outdoor airflow reaches each
zone (ducted directly to each VRF terminal)
• Avoids cost and space to install additional ductwork
OA dedicated outdoor air unit and separate diffusers
• Easier to ensure that outdoor air is adequately
local HVAC unit dispersed throughout zone because it is distributed
by VRF terminal fan

SA RA RA SA
Limitations
• Measurement and balancing is more difficult than if
outdoor air delivered directly to zone
EA EA • May require field-fabricated plenum to connect outdoor
air duct
• May need to increase outdoor air quantity in heating
mode (Ez < 1.0) to comply with ASHRAE® Standard 62.1
ventilation requirements
• VRF terminal fan must operate continuously to provide
outdoor air during scheduled occupancy
• VRF terminal fan must operate if dedicated outdoor air
system operates during unoccupied period

A common rule of thumb is to size DOAS units for 55°F supply air dew-point temperature. When processing
ventilation air, a psychometric review often shows this is not always adequate and a lower dew point
temperature is required. Often the required dew-point temperature may be as low as 45°F.

Conditioned Outdoor Air Direct to the Zone

In this configuration, sometimes called the “decoupled ventilation method,” the DOAS delivers conditioned outdoor air directly to
each zone through a separate air delivery system.

The VRF indoor unit only conditions recirculated air from the zone. This method provides for 100 percent conditioning of the pre-
filtered ventilation air, which is dehumidified to an appropriate dew-point temperature to offset zone latent loads (see “Humidity
Control: Ventilation Options,” page 24. This allows the DOAS to offset both the ventilation and zone latent needs. Further, if reheat
is not used, the DOAS may offset a portion of the space sensible loads, also resulting in smaller VRF components.

46
Advantages
• Easier to ensure code/standard-required outdoor airflow dedicated outdoor air unit
OA
reaches each zone (separate diffusers)
• Opportunity to cycle VRF terminal fan because outdoor air is not
distributed through it local HVAC unit
• Allows dedicated outdoor air system to operate during
unoccupied periods without needing to operate VRF terminal
fans CA CA
• Opportunity to downsize local equipment (if outdoor air SA SA
delivered at a cold temperature)

Limitations EA EA
• Requires installation of additional ductwork and separate
RA RA
diffusers
• May require multiple diffusers to ensure that outdoor air is
adequately dispersed throughout the zone

Demand Controlled Ventilation

ASHRAE® Standard 62.1 allows designers to reset the intake To provide DCV, the ventilation system must be capable

airflow in response to variations in zone population, called of modulating the quantity of ventilation delivered to each

demand controlled ventilation (DCV). This allows the HVAC zone.

system to respond to actual need, or demand” for ventilation

A pressure-independent VAV damper might be used to
by adjusting the outdoor air intake rate. As a result, DCV can
regulate the flow of outdoor air.
be used to reduce operational costs at times when building
occupancy is less than design. The DOAS must be equipped with a variable speed fan and
controller to maintain a duct static pressure setpoint. This
To provide demand controlled ventilation, pressure
allows the DOAS to pressurize the ventilation duct system
independent dampers (such as VAV terminal units with
and each pressure-independent VAV box modulates its
airflow measurement) may be used. The VAV boxes are
VAV damper to deliver the correct amount of outdoor air,
placed within the ventilation ductwork to ensure each zone
based upon current space demand.
receives the correct amount of outdoor air. Fan pressure
optimization, a control scheme that resets the DOAS In a VRF system equipped with a DOAS, delivering a fixed
supply fan pressure based on the position of these VAV (constant) quantity of outdoor air may be desired because
dampers, may also be employed to reduce DOAS fan energy the ventilation air serves two purposes: providing outdoor
consumption. air to dilute contaminants and providing dehumidified air
to maintain zone humidity. In this case, the DCV sequence
There are several methods to determine ventilation demand,
can be overridden (increasing the flow rate of cool,
including:
dehumidified air) if additional dehumidification is needed.
• Occupancy schedules. Use occupancy schedules to
specify the current population for a given zone based upon
time of the day within the building automation system.
• Occupancy sensors. Sensors which detect the presence of
people and can (optionally) count the number of occupants
in the zone at a given time.
• Carbon dioxide (CO2) sensors. Sensors which monitor
the concentration of CO2 continuously produced by zone
occupants and diluted by the outdoor air.
47
System Control
M T YPE
Trane Variable Refrigerant Flow systems include several options to S YSTE
ensure proper system control:
AT R E C O V E RY
• Independent system control - Uses dedicated VRF controls to HE
T P UMP
manage only the VRF system. This is a pre-engineered, easy-to- HE A
install solution, that includes wall-mounted controllers, indoor and

HU
T E M CO N T ROL

EPENDENT

OU
outdoor unit controls, branch controllers, and central controller

MIDIT
G R AT E D

TDOOR AIR
options.

S PA C E
TRANE

Y CON T R
• Integrated system control - Integrates the VRF controls into VRF SYSTEMS

INTE
a higher-level BAS system. This can provide coordination with

IND
SYS
ventilation systems and other HVAC or building systems. It can

OL
also provide additional features including graphical user interfaces,
ERV
advanced control strategies, monitoring, data collection, remote
access, and tenant services. DOAS
VE
NTI EM
L AT I O N S Y S T
System-Level Control
Independent System Control (No Building Automation System Installed)

TD7

OA dedicated outdoor air unit

EA
CA dedicated outdoor air unit

SA RA
CA CA CA
CA SA SA

RA

Tc Tc Tc Tc

SA SA

RA RA

Each zone has a Terminal controller (Tc) , see Terminal Controller Options for more details, with several control options:
• User-set heating and cooling setpoints
• Automatic control with single or dual setpoint control

When enabled, the built-in occupancy sensor detects vacancy in a specific zone. When vacant, the controller will use setback
setpoints to reduce energy consumption.

A dedicated outdoor air unit provides conditioned outdoor air to each zone when occupied. Building occupancy may be
determined by schedule, which must be programmed through a Tracer® TD7 display. Alternatively, the DOAS unit accepts a
binary signal to indicate occupancy from a remote signal or closed switch. Modes of operation (heat/cool/dehumidification/
ventilation only) are determined by ambient conditions. Each mode of operation has a separate discharge temperature setpoint
set through the Tracer TD7 display at start-up.

48
Independent System Control with Demand-Controlled Ventilation

TD7

OA dedicated outdoor air unit

CA
EA
P
dedicated outdoor air unit
SA RA
CA CA CA
CA SA SA

RA
OCC OCC OCC
Tc Tc Tc Tc

SA SA

RA RA

Each zone has a Terminal controller (Tc), see Terminal Controller Options for more details, with several control options:
• User-set heating and cooling setpoints
• Automatic control with single or dual setpoint control

When enabled, the built-in occupancy sensor detects vacancy in a specific zone. When vacant, the controller will use
setback setpoints to reduce energy consumption.

A DOAS pressurizes supply ductwork to a static pressure setpoint and provides conditioned outdoor air to each zone
when occupied. Building occupancy may be determined by schedule, which must be programmed through a Tracer®
TD7 display. Alternatively, the DOAS unit accepts a binary signal to indicate occupancy from a remote signal or closed
switch. Modes of operation (heat, cool, dehumidification, ventilation only) are determined by outdoor ambient conditions.
Each mode of operation has a separate discharge temperature setpoint provided at start-up.

Zones have independent air valves with wired occupancy sensors. Ventilation is provided based upon the outdoor airflow
setpoint for the zone when the DOAS time of day schedule is set to occupied. When a zone is unoccupied, the air valve is
reset to its minimum position.

49
Integrated System Control for Small Applications (Tracer® Concierge®)

TD7

OA dedicated outdoor air unit

CA
EA
P

SA RA
CA CA CA
CA SA SA

RA
CO CO CO
OCC OCC OCC
Tc CM Tc CM CM Tc CM Tc

SA SA

ventilation delivered directly to zone RA RA

Each zone has a Terminal controller (Tc), see Terminal Controller Options for more details, with several control options:
• User-set heating and cooling setpoints
• Automatic control with single or dual setpoint control

When enabled, the built-in occupancy sensor detects vacancy in a specific zone. When vacant, the controller will use
setback setpoints to reduce energy consumption.

A DOAS pressurizes supply ductwork to a static pressure setpoint and provides conditioned outdoor air to each zone
when occupied. Building occupancy and scheduling information is determined by the BAS (Tracer® Concierge®). Modes
of operation (heat, cool, dehumidification, ventilation only) are determined by outdoor ambient conditions. Each mode of
operation has a separate discharge temperature setpoint that can be reset by the BAS. The BAS determines when to reset
setpoints based upon zone demands.

Zones use independent air valves with a wired or wireless Air-Fi® CO2 and occupancy sensor. The outdoor airflow setpoint
to the zone is reset based upon measured zone CO2 when the zone is occupied and building is in occupied mode. When the
building is occupied and the zone is unoccupied, the air valve is reset to its minimum position.

The Tracer® Concierge® BAS communicates directly with the UC600-equipped DOAS and UC210-equipped DOAS terminal
boxes using MS/TP or wireless Air-Fi® communication.

For small applications, a Tracer® Concierge® can communicate to VRF terminal units, with each terminal unit requiring a
Procon Module (CM)*. Space temperature, setpoint and occupancy are all communicated. The BAS can command the unit
on or off, and can set the zone temperature setpoint.

*Optionally, smaller buildings can use an M-Net compatible central controller to communicate to the BAS. This is in lieu of
each terminal having a Procon Module.

BAS
Trane Tracer® Concierge®
Controller with mobile access
(wired or wireless Air-Fi®)

50
Integrated System Control for Large Applications (Tracer® SC+)

dedicated outdoor air unit

OA

EA CA
RA
P

SA RA
RA
CA CA SA SA SA

Ae
SA
CO CO
OCC OCC T
Tca Tca
RH RA
CO
OCC

SA
large space,
ventilation delivered directly to zone RA variable occupancy OA

A large application may have a variety of different system types. For example, a building might utilize separate terminal and ventilation
system for most zones while using a single-zone VAV (SZVAV) air handler to maintain a large space with variable occupancy, such as a
cafeteria or lecture hall. In the example shown, the AHU is paired with a VRF heat pump condensing unit and an LEV kit. A BAS can be used
to coordinate all systems in the building.

The SZVAV AHU uses field-programmed controllers that utilize logic from Trane pre-packaged solutions. The Tracer® SC+ BAS
communicates directly with the UC600-equipped AHU and UC210-equipped DOAS terminal boxes using MS/TP or wireless Air-Fi®
communication. Zone temperatures are determined and communicated with wired or wireless Air-Fi® zone sensors.

Each zone with an indoor unit has a Terminal controller (Tca), see Terminal Controller Options for more details, and the terminal units are
daisy-chained back to the outdoor unit(s). Central controllers are required. Each central controller communicates to the Tracer SC+. The
terminals receive their independent setpoints and scheduling information from the Tracer SC+.

One or more dedicated outdoor air systems pressurize supply ductwork to a static pressure setpoint and provide conditioned outdoor air
to each zone when occupied. Building occupancy and scheduling information is determined by the BAS (Tracer SC+). Modes of operation
(heat, cool, dehumidification, ventilation only) are determined by outdoor ambient conditions. Each mode of operation has a separate
discharge temperature setpoint that can be reset by the BAS. The BAS determines when to reset setpoints based upon zone demands.

Zones use independent air valves with a wired or wireless Air-Fi® CO2 and occupancy
sensor. The outdoor airflow setpoint to the zone is reset based upon measured zone
CO2 when the zone is occupied and the building is in occupied mode. When the building is
occupied and the zone is unoccupied, the air valve is reset to its minimum position.

Additional HVAC Optimization Strategies

Conference rooms and other high occupancy spaces can have high
humidity levels when occupied. See page 30, “Psychrometric Analyses”
for an example.) One way to reduce peak humidity levels in these zones
is to implement BAS logic that enables dehumidification overrides when
Additional BAS System Options
necessary. Trane has several methods to implement humidity control for
The Tracer Concierge and Tracer SC+ BAS controllers can
these zones. The zone DOAS airflow can be reset upward or the DOAS
operate standalone or can be part of a Tracer Ensemble
dew point can be reset downward based on space humidity.
(or other) building management system (BMS). These BAS
Morning warm-up for the zones can be supplemented by using the DOAS controllers can also be used with Trane Connect for remote
unit. Before occupancy, the DOAS unit will operate in recirculation mode access and a variety of cloud-based services. Refer to Trane
and raise space temperature of the zones.
Building Automation System and Enterprise Solutions on
Implementating fan pressure optimization can save additional dedicated page 53 for more information.
outdoor air system fan energy.

51
Terminal Controller Options

Simple MA (TAC-YT53CRAU-J) Smart ME (TAR-U01MEDU-K)

The Simple MA is low-cost solution to
The Smart ME controller is a remote
provide indoor unit control to the occupant.
controller designed to control
It is intended for manual control of the
Trane®/Mitsubishi Electric air
equipment and does not support a local
conditioning units.
scheduling feature. The indoor unit can be
controlled via a schedule residing in a central
The Smart ME controller features
controller or a BAS.
functionality for basic operation and monitoring of air
conditioning units including schedule. The controller
Backlit MA (TAR-40MAAU)
includes four built-in sensors (temperature, humidity,
The Backlit MA remote controller
occupancy, brightness).
that has a large backlit LCD with
full and basic display modes. It
The built-in occupancy sensor detects vacancy in a specific
supports P-Series rotation (requires
zone enabling the controller to use its internal function to
PAC-SF83MA-E adapter), advanced
reduce energy-consumption (when enabled).
cassette operations, 3D i-See
sensor functions, and daylight Central Controller Options
savings time. The remote controller also supports a daily
and weekly schedule functions. TW-50
The TW-50 is the entry-level into
Touch MA (TAR-CT01MAU-SB) the centralized controller and
The Touch MA is a full color touchscreen can network up to 50 indoor
remote controller with Bluetooth® support, units. It can be connected via
which enables occupant and contractor Ethernet or IP to a BAS (which
access with smartphones to control and requires a license). It does not
configure the unit including scheduling have a display and requires the
functions. The Touch MA has a large initial setting tool to setup. It is very versatile and can be
selection of background colors and information display used as an expansion of a site with a TE-200, standalone
options that allow the device to be customized for any without the TE-200, or as part of an apportionment site with
environment. The device can also display a custom logo a TE-200 which is not utilizing the M-Net (the protocol used
image and supports multiple languages. to communicate within the terminal system) link.
BACnet Interface for 3rd party BAS.
The features of this device make it ideal for use in the
hospitality industry.

52
TE-200 Tracer Concierge Systems
The TE-200 is the most capable of Concierge Systems bring a building
the centralized controllers in that it is automation system (BAS) to customers
required to enable features such as who previously avoided a BAS due to its
apportionment and tenant billing. It complexity and cost. Concierge Systems
also comes with a display and is able to allow contractors to install a BAS on light commercial projects
support connection to a BAS (requires a license). with Trane® / Mitsubishi Electric VRF equipment. In addition,
building operators get a simple interface to the VRF equipment and
BACnet Interface for 3rd party BAS.
additional HVAC, lighting, and ancillary systems in the building.

TE-50
Air-Fi Wireless Sensors
The TE-50 is used to network up to 50 indoor units as an expansion
Air-Fi Wireless Sensors for VRF help
of a site with a TE-200. However, it cannot be used for standalone
ensure projects remain on schedule
applications. It does include a display for site requiring multiple
with the added flexibility of placement
displays (TE-200 also includes a display). It can be connected via
and installation after the walls are
BACnet® (LAN2) to a BAS (requires a license).
installed. No more delays waiting for wire to go into the wall or
delays related to relocating a sensor. In addition, Air-Fi Wireless
BACnet Interface for 3rd party BAS.
Sensors measures temperature with optional humidity, occupancy,

Trane Building Automation System and and CO2 levels on a single sensor. These sensors can be mounted

Enterprise Solutions on most surfaces including cement block or masonry walls

reducing labor to install sensors in such buildings.
Tracer® SC+
The Tracer SC+ enables additional Tracer® Ensemble® and Tracer® Ensemble Cloud

capabilities with an extensive data and Tracer Ensemble is a web-based building management system

equipment list including the outdoor units (BMS) that dramatically simplifies the complex requirements of

and branch controllers which are only managing and operating large facilities and/or multiple facilities.

available with the Trane® / Mitsubishi Electric VRF system. Accessible from most PCs, tablets, and smartphones, Tracer
Ensemble provides immediate access to your building systems
In addition, this enables advanced capabilities such as system from virtually any location, allowing you to maintain comfortable,
level applications to control both the LEV kit and other equipment. healthy conditions and satisfied occupants.
This additional capability expands the systems capability to mixed
use application where VRF can now be included with traditional Tracer Ensemble uses Windows® Server technology to provide

HVAC equipment such as Air Handling Units, Dedicated Outdoor scalability and long-term data storage and reporting. It can be

Air Units, Rooftop Units, and even Variable Air Volume boxes. installed and operated on a customer server (or virtual server) or

Tracer SC+ can integration the VRF, traditional HVAC, lighting, Tracer Ensemble Cloud is hosted by Trane, eliminating the need

and other systems to provide complete building solutions with full for customer server infrastructure and maintenance.

coordination with a single user interface for the building.

Tracer Ensemble Work Order Management

Work Order Management is an optional feature of Tracer

Ensemble that allows building operators to manage tenant service
requests and other maintenance tasks. It is fully integrated with
Tracer Ensemble, making it easy to use and automatically gathers
information from connected devices. When combined with Tenant
Services, it provides a full-service complement of tenant interface
and building management capabilities.

53
Trane Connect™
In addition, new features such as Maintenance and Work
Trane provides its Tracer® customers secure remote access Order Management allow the tenants and building owners
through Trane Connect. communicate more effectively work orders. Tenants can
report maintenance issues such as a thermostat or light which
Connect customers are provided access from virtually
is not working via a work order and the building owner can
anywhere in the world with customer provided internet access
assign the work order to their staff or a contractor. This feature
and proper credentials. Trane Connect supports access from
is easy to setup as all the equipment is automatically loaded
web browsers on PCs, tablets and phones as well as from Trane
and can be referenced in the work order.
mobile apps on tablets or phones.
Tenant Services is easy to setup and puts the building owner
Tenant Services
in control of the how the tenants are billed while providing
Tenant Services, a Trane cloud-based service, offers building
the ability to review and adjust billings as necessary. With an
owners the ability to tie tenant requests for their HVAC
ease to use mobile friendly interface tenants are easily able
operation directly to their building control system. These
to manage their space. Tenant Service ease of setup, built-in
requests can be made 24 hours a day and allow the building
billing, tenant interface, and after-hours management and
owner to manage the billing of the tenant for these requests.
audit trial makes it easy for the tenant and building owner to
The building owner may setup hours of normal operation
manage a space or building.
the tenant included in the lease, so tenants are not charge
erroneously.

Tenant Services also includes the ability to add metering and

submetering for applications such as multi-tenant where the
building owner may need to account for usage on equipment
serving multiple tenants. This will involve a meter on the
condensing unit and sub-metering on the indoor units.

54
Intelligent Services
Intelligent services are agreements for service which include a baseline of the building coupled with continuous monitoring and
analytics to help optimize the performance of the building. These agreements are custom to the customer’s needs. Intelligent
service can help you ensure maximum comfort, energy savings, and equipment reliability throughout the life of the building.
Intelligent Services is for those serious about conserving energy while still providing comfort and saving on expensive repairs with
a proactive approach to building health.

55
Energy Analysis
The whole-building analysis software program TRACE® 3D The modeling was performed for cities in a variety of

Plus was used to evaluate the energy use and dehumidification climate zones. They were:

performance of an air-source VRF heat recovery system with • Houston, TX – Climate Zone 2A

several dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) configurations • St. Louis, MO – Climate Zone 4A

for a three story, 50,000 ft2 office building. The building • Chicago, IL – Climate Zone 5A

was modeled with one VRF system per floor to enable • Los Angeles, CA – Climate Zone 3B

heat recovery between the interior and perimeter zones. • Seattle, WA – Climate Zone 4C

Conditioned outdoor air is being delivered directly to the

The building shell meets ASHRAE® Standard 90.1-2013
occupied spaces by the DOAS. Several DOAS configurations
minimum requirements and the building ventilation rates
were evaluated, including the use of air-to-air energy recovery,
meet ASHRAE 62.1-2013 requirements. The DOAS uses
hot gas reheat, demand controlled ventilation, and low
a packaged unit with direct expansion cooling and gas
discharge dew point temperature control. See the table below
heating capability. All reheat is provided by recovered
for a summary. Various DOAS options were evaluated to
heat rejected by the refrigeration system. Air-to-air energy
include with and without air-to-air total energy recovery, with
recovery is accomplished using a total energy device. the
and without hot gas reheat, with and without demand control
line graphs that follow is a report of site energy use for
ventilation and with space neutral (54°F) and low (50°F and
HVAC electricity and natural gas reported in kBtus.
45°F) discharge dew point temperature control. The modeled
DOAS options are shown in the table below.

Dedicated Outdoor Air System Description

Air-to-air energy Mechanical Mechnaical

Option Run Name recovery Dehumidification Cooling Hot Gas Reheat
1 ERV Only (baseline) Fixed Membrane None None None
2 DOAS with reheat None 54ºF dewpoint 65ºF dry bulb 65ºF dry bulb

3 DOAS without reheat None 54ºF dewpoint 65ºF dry bulb None, cold air delivery

4 DOAS + ERV with reheat Enthalpy Wheel 54ºF dewpoint 65ºF dry bulb 65ºF dry bulb

5 DOAS + ERV without reheat Enthalpy Wheel 54ºF dewpoint 65ºF dry bulb None, cold air delivery

6 DOAS + ERV + DCV without reheat Enthalpy Wheel 54ºF dewpoint 65ºF dry bulb None, cold air delivery

7 DOAS + ERV + DCV 50ºF DPT with reheat Enthalpy Wheel 50ºF dewpoin 65ºF dry bulb 55ºF dry bulb

8 DOAS + ERV + DCV 45ºF DPT with reheat Enthalpy Wheel 45ºF dewpoint 65ºF dry bulb 55ºF dry bulb

Note: Cells highlighted in yellow represent changes from the immediately preceeding DOAS.

56
Key Assumptions:
• Gas heat efficiency is 81 percent
• VRF outdoor unit AHRI 1290 full load rated performance
• Full load fixed membrane efficiency @AHRI 1060 rating
is 11.5 EER cooling, 3.41 COP heating. TRACE® 3D
conditions: 67 percent sensible, 40 percent latent
Plus adjusts operating performance to align with hourly
• Full load total energy wheel efficiency @AHRI 1060
operating conditions.
conditions: 67 percent sensible, 63 percent latent
• VRF zone terminal unit fan ESP is 0.0 in. w.g. because
cassette zone terminal units are ductless.
• DOAS full load EER @AHRI 920 rated conditions is 12.1
EER.
• DOAS fan ESP is 1.5 in. w.g.

Demand
Control
Gas Heating Ventilation DOAS Description
None None Energy recovery only (does not meet the AHRI definition of DOAS).
65ºF dry bulb None Dehumidify and reheat when outdoor air dewpoint is above 54ºF, otherwise
cooling or heating to 65ºF.
65ºF dry bulb None Dehumidify when outdoor air dewpoint is above 54ºF (deliver cool air to occupied
space), otherwise cooling or heating (no reheat) to 65ºF.
65ºF dry bulb None Precondition outdoor air with enthaply wheel then dehumidify and reheat when
outdoor air dewpoint is above 54ºF, otherwise cooling or heating to 65ºF.
65ºF dry bulb None Precondition outdoor air with enthaply wheel then dehumidify when outdoor air
dewpoint is above 54ºF (deliver cool air to occupied space), otherwise cooling or
heating (no reheat) to 65ºF.
65ºF dry bulb Yes Precondition outdoor air (reduced due to DCV) with enthaply wheel then
dehumidify when outdoor air dewpoint is above 54ºF (deliver cool air to occupied
space), otherwise cooling or heating (no reheat) to 65ºF.
65ºF dry bulb Yes Precondition outdoor air (reduced due to DCV) with enthaply wheel then
dehumidify and reheat to 55ºF when outdoor air dewpoint above 50ºF, otherwise
cooling or heating to 65ºF.
65ºF dry bulb Yes Precondition outdoor air (reduced due to DCV) with enthaply wheel then
dehumidify and reheat to 55ºF when outdoor air dewpoint above 45ºF, otherwise
cooling or heating to 65ºF.

57
Energy Use Discussion

The base case of ERV only (option 1) has the outdoor air
treated by a fixed membrane air-to-air energy recovery
device only. No active cooling and heating control of the
outdoor air is included. This system option is simple to
operate and delivers low annualized HVAC energy use.

DOAS with reheat (option 2) cools/dehumidifies the

outdoor air to 55ºF dry bulb temperature resulting in a
54ºF dew point temperature condition and reheats the
outdoor air to 65ºF dry bulb temperature. a This modeled
option delivers the highest annualized HVAC energy
use for all cities other than Los Angeles. The mild Los
Angeles climate negates the value of air-to-air energy
recovery allowing this option to offer lower energy than
an ERV only

DOAS without reheat (option 3) eliminates hot gas

reheat compared to DOAS with reheat thus delivering
dehumidified air at 55ºF dry bulb temperature to the
space. Hot gas reheat at the DOAS can result in zone
level re-cooling depending on the sensible load profile in
the space and the amount of DOAS reheat. Even though
zone re-cooling was limited in the DOAS with reheat
by limiting ventilation system reheat to 65ºF dry bulb
temperature, the warmer climate cities showed cooling
and fan energy savings (no reheat coil pressure drop)
while the cooler climate cites of Chicago and Seattle had
narrow or no savings.b

An enthalpy wheel is added to a DOAS with reheat to

create a DOAS + ERV with reheat (option 4) alternative.
The air-to-air energy recovery technology reduces the
energy to both heat and cool the outdoor air. Air-to-air
energy recovery is particularly effective at reducing
heating energy use due to large temperature differences
between the indoors and outdoors. The energy penalty
associated with increased fan pressure drop of the
enthalpy wheel offsets some of the energy savings.
The annualized energy use for Los Angeles actually
increases with the addition of air-to-air energy recovery
because its weather is so mild it cannot overcome the
energy penalty of the enthalpy wheel. c

58
The DOAS + ERV without reheat (option 5) eliminates A low supply air dew point temperature DOAS options
hot gas reheat compared to the DOAS + ERV with reheat 7 and 8 are compared to option 6 which shares all other
(option 4) alternative. This comparison reveals the same system features with these low dew point temperature
recooling penalty observed when option 3 and option 2 alternatives. The purpose of modeling these options is
are compared. to understand the impact on building energy use when
addressing occupant comfort measured in the form
DOAS + ERV + DCV without reheat (option 6) adds zone
of reduced space relative humidity. Space humidity
level demand control ventilation (DCV) to option 5. DCV
control is discussed in the Cooling Season Humidity
requires the addition of variable air volume terminals
Management section. This design approach shifts space
at each zone to allow independent ventilation airflow
dehumidification load to the DOAS and away from the
control based on occupancy in each zone. For this
VRF terminal units. This allows a variable evaporator
model DCV was applied to break rooms, conference
temperature (VET) energy saving control strategy
rooms and large meeting rooms which are those zones
(automatic reset) to be used by the VRF system. The
that expect significant hourly variation in occupancy.
impact of VET is included in this model. The results are
The DCV option 6 compared to option 5 delivered a 3
mixed, generally showing a minor increase in percent
to 6 percent HVAC energy savings favoring the type A
energy use compared to option 6 for higher cooling
climate zones. Much of the savings comes from the fan
intensity cities like Houston and St. Louis and a slightly
energy reduction of moving less DOAS air. The high
larger increase in percent energy use for the lower cooling
enthalpy wheel effectiveness limits the heating and
intensity cities of Chicago, Seattle and Los Angeles. Their
cooling energy reduction. d
absolute level of cooling energy use is lower resulting in
the higher percentage change.

Footnotes:

a.
Section 6.5.2.6 of ASHRAE 90.1-2016 limits ventilation system reheat for this
application to 60°F when representative building loads or outdoor air temperature
indicate the majority of zones require cooling. Since TRACE 3D Plus cannot yet model
reset of the reheat temperature based on this criteria, this model limits reheat to 65°F
to reduce the occurrence of re-cooling at the zone and limits winter heating to 65°F to
allow shifting heating load to the heat pump VRF heat recovery system.
b.
The ASHRAE Achieving Zero Energy Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small to
Medium Office Buildings recommends no DOAS reheat.
c.
ASHRAE 90.1-2013 does not require air-to-air energy recovery for both Seattle and
Los Angeles
d.
ASHRAE 90.1-2013 requires DCV be applied in high occupant density spaces.

59
Cooling Season Humidity Management
Zone relativity humidity (August day)

Most zone terminal units (e.g. chilled water fan coils,

WSHPs, VRF indoor units) provide sensible (i.e. dry-bulb
temperature) control of the zones. Any zone latent cooling
(dehumidification) they provide is a coincidence of the zone
sensible load, terminal unit fan speed control, and terminal
unit size. Part load operation disproportionately reduces
the coincidental latent cooling capacity compared to the
sensible cooling capacity of these zone terminal units. So
the DOAS design and operation plays a vital role in zone
humidity management of any zone terminal system.

Providing outdoor air treatment with an air-to-air total

energy recovery device (ERV only) provides passive
dehumidification of the outdoor air. If the outdoor air is
delivered to the space when humidity levels are elevated
outdoors, its supply air dew point temperature will be higher
Zone relativity humidity (April day)
than the space air thus adding latent load in the zones it
serves. Assuming 75ºF/50 percent RH is the desired space
condition, operating a DOAS to deliver 54F dew point supply
air temperature (i.e. a result of 55°F dry bulb temperature
control) causes it to deliver outdoor air at the space dew
point temperature target. Since the space relative humidity
varies based on actual zone load conditions, the DOAS
supply air may or may not provide zone latent cooling at any
particular operating hour. Operating a DOAS to deliver “low”
dew point temperature air (e.g. 50°F or 45°F) causes it to
provide latent cooling in the zones at more operating hours
thus contributing to lower zone relative humidity levels.

The graphs to the right illustrate the difference in zone This type of performance is summarized in the graphs to
relative humidity on a hot August day versus a cooler April the right with the number of cooling season (May through
day in Houston, Texas in an open office comparing various September), occupied hours (7 am to 5 pm) above 50
DOAS dew point temperature control options. The ERV percent, 55 percent, and 60 percent relative humidity for a
only option does not maintain zone relative humidity in a corner office space in this modeled building. This summary
comfortable range. The 54°F dew point temperature control is intended to demonstrate and explain expected trends
options offer improved zone relative humidity performance from system design choices, not predict the performance of
but tend to maintain it in a moderately high relative humidity any particular building.
range. The low dew point temperature options further
improve zone relative humidity performance and tends to
maintain it in a comfortable range.

60
The ERV only option resulted in a large number of cooling season
occupied hours above 50 percent, 55 percent, and 60 percent relative
humidity in all five cities with Seattle as an exception experiencing
noticeably fewer hours above 60 percent relative humidity. The ERV is
a passive device that is unable to deliver the outdoor air to the space
below the space dew point temperature target (usually around 55ºF
dew point temperature) when outdoor air dew point temperature is high.
Seattle has a large number of hours with lower outdoor air dew point
temperatures resulting in fewer high zone relative humidity hours. When
the outdoor air dew point temperature is high, the ERV conditioned
outdoor air actually adds latent load to the zones. The zone terminal units
are unable to adequately dehumidify without substantial zone sensible
loads. Perhaps unexpectedly, the Los Angeles run resulted in some of the
largest number of hours above 50 percent, 55 percent, and 60 percent
relative humidity. The mild Los Angeles weather leads to many hours of
low space sensible loads thus the terminal unit cannot provide adequate
coincidental dehumidification. As expected, Houston has many elevated
zone relative humidity hours because the outdoor air has many high dew
point temperature hours.

The 54ºF dew point temperature DOAS control options (options 2-6)
essentially eliminate zone occupied cooling hours above 60 percent
relative humidity in all cities. The number of hours above 50 percent
and 55 percent remain high in all cities with Seattle once again an
exception with a lower number of hours above 55 percent zone relative
humidity. Seattle stands out because it has many hours of low outdoor
air dew point temperatures (less than 54ºF) not requiring mechanical
dehumidification thus the outdoor air dehumidifies the zones.

The 50ºF and 45ºF dew point temperature DOAS control options (option
7 and 8) offer no hours above 55 percent relative humidity and option 8
offers no hours above 50 percent relative humidity. Their ability to use
the treated outdoor air to reduce zone latent loads and help manage
zone humidity levels reduces the system dependence on high space
sensible loads to enable the zone terminal unit to dehumidify. It is
important to note the primary source of space latent load in an office is
often the people. These results are for an office space which enjoys a
relatively high ventilation rate per person from the DOAS. High people
density spaces like conference rooms and classrooms tend to have
lower ventilation rates per person. It is likely, even with low dew point
temperature air, these spaces will require ventilation rates above the
code minimum values to enable desired space humidity control. See the
Trane Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems Application Guide (SYS-APG001A-
EN) for details on how to calculate the required ventilation rate for proper
humidity control.
61
LEV Kit Control
VRF systems are capable of integrating built up air handlers
using LEV kit assemblies. This approach is commonly used
in a one-to-one split system configuration for single-zone
VAV or DOAS applications.

Performance Climate Changer® One-to-One DX Split

Factory-installed DDC controls are available on all applied

air handlers. The air handlers will use a field-programmed
UC600™ controller with an optional color touch screen. The
UC600 controls the air handler by modulating or cycling
all of the air handler components which includes sending
control signals to the linear expansion valve controller
(CITY MULTI® LEV Controller PAC-AH001-1). The valve
controller is remote mounted in the mechanical room
near the refrigerant valves, and requires a separate field
supplied power source. The VRF outdoor unit(s) is generally
dedicated to the air handler and is remotely located.

Trane Pre-Packaged Solutions (PPS) include logic for

field programming of air handling systems. Multiple
pre-packaged systems for the UC600 unit controller are
available for a VRF heat pump or VRF cooling-only air
handler unit. All these systems utilize discharge air control
(DAC), where the unit controller maintains a discharge
air temperature setpoint. The unit controller will send
control signals to each LEV controller, which modulates
the electronic valves in response. The LEV sequences are
available from one to four stages of DX cooling or heating.

The sequences have an option for an alternative

dehumidification mode. During cooling, the air handler will
operate with either a call for cooling or dehumidification.
This allows the unit to reduce the discharge air temperature
to dehumidify the space when needed. This option can be
used for dedicated outdoor air systems or VAV mixed air
systems.

62
Prepackaged Control Options for AHU with LEV Kit and Discharge Air Control

LEV DX Split Supply fan Outdoor air control

• Traq™ dampers
• Cooling 1 to 4 stages • Constant Volume
• Economizer control
• Heat Pump 1 to 4 stages • Variable Air Volume
• DCV option

Energy recovery Auxillary heat Secondary fan

• None
• None • None
• Hot water
• Total-energy wheel (single exhaust) • Return with VFD
• Steam
• Total-energy wheel (dual exhaust) • Exhaust with VFD
• Electric
• Fixed-plate (sensible) heat exchanger • Building pressure control
• Indirect gas-fired burner

Common Systems for VRF DX split system using LEV kit

Single Zone VAV: This system is used for large zones that The Traq™ dampers can also be used to implement demand
have variable cooling loads up to 15,000 cfm. The figure control ventilation.
below shows fan and discharge temperature control for a
single-zone VAV AHU. Fan speed varies to meet the space Single Zone VAV units are available with airside
heating or cooling load while the electronic valve(s) modulate economizing control. A secondary return or exhaust fan
to maintain an adjustable discharge air temperature setpoint. is optional and exhaust air energy recovery is an available
Traq™ dampers are an available option for outdoor airflow option. The PPS sequences include morning warm up
measurement to ensure ventilation rates are maintained at and pre-cool modes to precondition the space before
various operating conditions. occupancy.

Single-zone VAV control

design airflow

maximum DAT for heating

DA
w
discharge-air temperature setpoint

flo

T
se
su

air

tp
pp

ly

oi
supply fan speed
pp

nt
ly

su
air
flo
w

minimum fan speed

deadband

DA
T
se
tp
oi
nt

minimum DAT for cooling

100 75 50 25 0 0 25 50 75 100
heating loop signal cooling loop signal
design zone zone sensible load design zone
heating load cooling load

63
Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS)
reheat options include hydronic coils, electric heaters
The LEV Kit can also be used to create a DX split DOAS to or indirect gas fired heaters, all of which may be desired
provide dehumidified ventilation air for multiple zones. This for back up auxiliary heat or to use during the heat pump
centralizes the outdoor air conditioning for the building. The defrost cycle. In larger buildings, where the majority
Performance Climate Changer® air handler may provide of zones need cooling during dehumidification, the
air for multiple floors and can overcome high duct static usage of hot gas reheat may result in cooling system
pressure. The DOAS unit heats the air to neutral conditions inefficiency. If warmer air is desired from the unit during
in the winter and provides cool, dehumidified air to the zones peak cooling and dehumidification, prepackaged control
during the cooling season. The space indoor units heat or solutions exist for dual exhaust air energy recovery units
cool the return air from the zone as needed for comfort. The that use sensible heat exchangers or CDQ desiccant
electronic control valve allows for designing the DX coil as wheels to provide dehumidified air using less cooling
cold as 46°F leaving air temperature. capacity than cool reheat systems.

The design discharge air temperature for a DOAS is typically Prepackaged control solutions include fan speed
46-53°F during cooling and this supply air temperature will control where the supply fan will control to supply duct
be controlled to at part load without without the need for pressure and exhaust fan to building pressure control.
hot gas bypass. During heating, the heat pump will heat the The prepackaged control solutions also include various
supply air to a discharge air set point. For a DOAS application, demand control ventilation strategies and unoccupied
normal set points during heating are neutral 68-75°F, but control for air handlers configured with a return damper.
may be reset to high as 95°F for morning warm up. Winter

64
AHU Coil Design and Performance Criteria

Distributor quantity Coil working pressure requirements

Each distributor will include its own LEV controller regardless of Both heat pump and heat recovery operate the indoor coil
tonnage. Only one LEV kit can be connected to a distributor and as an evaporator and a condenser. The condenser is on
each distributor requires its own LEV kit. When comparing coil the high-pressure side of the refrigerant system, which for
options that have variable distributor quantities, with otherwise R-410A would typically be around 650 psig compared to 480
identical coil design and capacity, the staging strategy and psig on the low pressure side of the system. The refrigerant
distributor quantity can provide different levels of coil modulation. coils typically sold in Trane air handling units are typically
For maximum capacity turndown: more coil distributors and designed as evaporators to work on the low-pressure side of
LEV-kits can allow greater capacity modulation If the valves are the refrigerant system. Depending on coil construction and
staged sequentially instead of simultaneously. options, most products can be configured to operate as both
a condenser and an evaporator by specifying the correct tube
Using more distributors and LEV-kits will likely increase installed diameter and tube wall thickness.
cost, but may be needed for VAV systems that expect wide
operating ranges. Staging multiple distributors simultaneously Tube Diameter and Tube Wall Thickness
will provide a smooth transition capacity and often makes sense All Trane 3/8-inch diameter tube coils are rated for cooling,
in constant volume systems as well. VAV systems could benefit heat pump, and heat recovery applications. Trane 1/2-inch
from sequential control for additional control flexibility. diameter tube coils require 0.025 inch wall thickness to be
used in heat pump or heat recovery applications due to the
higher working pressures. CSAA air handlers feature 1/2-
Coil volume inch diameter tube coils with 0.025-inch wall thickness as a
Matching the coil volume to the LEV-kit guidelines is necessary standard option. 5/8-inch diameter tube coils are not pressure
for proper refrigerant charge calculation and to ensure the rated for R410A refrigerant in either evaporator or condenser
accumulator is sized properly for the refrigerant charge in the applications.
system.

Tube Thickness
Tube AHU
diameter Unit ventilator BCXD UCCA CSAA replacement &
(inches) shipping coils
3/8 standard standard standard standard standard
0.025-inch
1/2 n/a n/a 0.025-inch 0.025-inch
(special)
5/8 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

65
Air Handler Design Criteria
Fan motor and controls implications
Depending on the air handler type, various unit
Air handlers have maximum leaving air temperature
configurations and motor selections can alleviate any
restrictions based on product type, materials of
concern with high leaving air temperatures when using zone
construction, unit configuration, unit controls, and fan
temperature control.
motor classifications. VRF systems are often controlled
with discharge air temperature control or zone temperature VFD, starter, or controls boxes are limited to airstreams of
control. 104°F and lower. Due to this consideration, these devices
should be located upstream of the VRF refrigerant coil when
In discharge air temperature control, the maximum leaving
using zone temperature control.
air temperature in heating mode is limited to 83°F in the LEV
kit controls with options up to 95°F using dipswitch settings. The chart below depicts permitted configurations with the
This leaving air temperature poses no issues for any air- two control methodologies.
handling unit configuration.

Outdoor AHU
In zone temperature control, the leaving air temperature
Air handling units located outdoors will need to take into
will climb as high as possible to satisfy the space load.
account that the LEV control box is NEMA 1 rated. Locating
This can often climb as high as 120°F depending on
the LEV control box in a pipe cabinet or other code approved
system configuration, airflow, entering air temperature, as
location should be considered.
well as the outdoor ambient temperature. Although most
air-handling unit designs have options, some fan motor
configurations cannot be located in airstreams above 104°F
due to an appropriate motor temperature rise safety factor
for the various motor insulation classes available.

Zone temperature control Discharge air control

Unit ventilator vertical unit ventilator x x
1-phase motors n/a x
Blower coil
3-phase motors x x
UCCA, CSAA draw-thru varies* x
CSAA blow-thru x x

*not permitted with certain motor manufactureres and sizes

66
Design Resources
There are a number of resources available to design, select, and Trane Select Assist® Inputs:

configure a VRF system. These include selection tools for the

Choose “Yes” in the VRF Application input to enable a VRF application:
equipment, configuration, and programming tools for the controls.

TRACE® 3D Plus design and analysis

software
The latest version of TRACE 3D Plus features: For some products, an additional input for zone or discharge
• Expanded VRF equipment libraries– including Trane-Mitsubishi temperature control is required. This input us used to identify
validated equipment performance data potential problems with a high discharge air temperature when
• Adaptive modeling accounts for four operating modes specific
the unit operating in heat pump heating mode.
to system performance including increased energy use during
heat-recovery
• Packaged dedicated outdoor air configurations and control
mode capability
• Detailed modeling accounts for impact of compressor staging
and low load cycling, pipe length, heat recovery operation and Once a selection is made, an LEV kit recommendation will be
climate-affected defrost operation output if all rules governing LEV kit selection are satisfied. Note that
the LEV kit is field-provided and is not ordered through Trane
Selection Select Assist.

Selection of Trane VRF Systems is divided into three selection

programs: Trane Select Assist™, Diamond System Builder, and the
Trane Select Assist Outputs:
Dedicated Outdoor Air Solutions selection tool.

• Trane Select Assist – www.traneselectassist .com – Used to

select Unit Ventilators, Blower Coil air handlers, Performance
Climate Chagners, standalone cooling coils (for retrofit or custom
AHU installations) and LEV kits
• Diamond System Builder –
used to select VRF equipment
including: air- and water-
cooled condensing units,
indoor terminal units, branch
controllers, unit controls,
Outdoor Air Processing (OAP)
units, and Lossnay ERVs.
See page 68 for more In this example, an LEV kit selection is available meaning all LEV
information.
kit selection rules were satisfied. A single 5-ton valve and a single
PAC-AH001-1 controller are recommended.

Note that the number of LEV kits required will be based on the
number of distributors provided on the coil (each distributor
requires its own LEV kit).

67
Diamond System Builder

Diamond System Builder® (DSB) is the primary system Diamond System Builder can provide the cooling and
design and layout tool for a VRF terminal system. The heating performance for these products based on project-
software is also used to select many of the components that specific conditions. It is a robust system and component
make up a terminal system, or are used in conjunction with a selection tool with built-in safeguards against exceeding
ventilation system. limitations, assuring line lengths, maximum connected
capacities, component selections, control schemes, etc.
In particular, the following products are selectable in
are all within the system requirements.
Diamond System Builder:
• Indoor units: Diamond System Builder provides functions to customize
• Wall-mounted the system layout for each project. The software can
• Ceiling recessed (4-way and 1-way)
also provide system schedules, submittal packages, and
• Ceiling-suspended
Revit® or AutoCAD® drawings.
• Ceiling-concealed
• Floor-mounted
• Multi-position Air Handlers
• Hydronic heat exchangers
• Branch controllers
• Condensing units
• Lossnay ERVs
• Outdoor Air Processing (OAP) units

68
Pre-packaged Solutions
Graphics
Trane BAS technicians have access to the PPS Configurator tool
and Trane Select Assist that are used to develop control packages
for a variety of applied solutions including air handlers that use the
LEV kit. These packages include sequence of operations, points
list, programs and flow sketches.

These can be combined with the VRF indoor unit information

including the riser diagrams to make a single control package.

Control Flow Diagram Riser Diagram

Sequences
Points List

69
LEV Kit Selection Information
When selecting an LEV kit, or when estimating coil
Saturated suction temperature (°F)
performance, certain performance parameters will be needed.
These parameters will change depending on which mode is Outdoor Line length (feet)
ambient
being analyzed: cooling or heating. (°F) <100 165 230 295 361

≤95 40 41.25 42.5 43.75 45

Cooling performance 105 41 42.25 43.5 44.75 46
115 42 43.25 44.5 45.75 47
For cooling performance, the saturated suction temperature
>115 contact factory
(SST) and liquid temperature are needed. The saturated
suction temperature is based on outdoor ambient temperature Liquid temperature (°F)
and line length. The liquid temperature is based on ambient
Outdoor Liquid
temperature only. These temperatures are detailed in table on ambient (°F) temperature (°F)
the right. ≤95 80
105 85
115 90
>115 contact factory

Heating performance
Heating performance will require two temperatures as input. The resulting capacity should be compared to the heat
available from the condensing unit. This value is based not only
The two temperatures—the hot gas/superheated refrigerant
on the outdoor ambient temperature, but also on the choice of
temperature entering the coil and the saturated discharge/
condensing unit. This information is available from your Trane®
condensing temperature—are based on the outdoor ambient
account manager.
temperature only. These temperatures are tabled below.

Outdoor ambient (°F)

Coil design temperatures
-13 -3 7 17 27 37 47
Standard and high superheated refrigerant enetring coil temp °F 182 182 178 176 176 176 170
efficiency condemsing
units Coil condensing temperature °F 94 100 103 107 114 120 120

Outdoor ambient (°F)

Coil design temperatures
-13 -3 7 17 27 37 47
superheated refrigerant enetring HEX temp
Hyper heat condensing 150 160 170 170 170 170 170
°F
units
Coil condensing temperature °F 107 114 120 120 120 120 120

70
Additional VRF Resources
Industry Resources
ASHRAE. 2016 HVAC Handbook – Systems and Equipment, Chapter 18. Available from www.ashrae.org/bookstore

Trane and Mitsubishi Electric Trane US, LLC Resources

City Multi® VRF, Catalog, October 2019

Trane.MyLinkDrive.com

Diamond System Builder from Mitsubishi Electric Trane US, LLC

Trane Resources
“Applying Variable Refrigerant Flow”, Trane Engineers Newsletter Live, May 2014

“Dedicated Outdoor Air Equipment”, Engineers Newsletter Live, October 2011

“Dedicated Outdoor-Air Systems”, Engineers Newsletter Live, September 2001

“Impact of DOAS Dew Point on Space Humidity”, Trane Engineers Newsletter Live, March 2020

Guckelberger, D. “ASHRAE Standard 15 Applied to Packaged, Split and VRF Systems”,

Engineers Newsletter 37-1 (2008)

Murphy, J. “Impact of DOAS Supply-Air Dew Point Temperature on Space Humidity”,

Engineers Newsletter 49-1 (2020)

Murphy, J. “AHRI 920-Rating Standard for DX Dedicated Outdoor-Air Units”,

Engineers Newsletter 45-4 (2016)

Murphy, J. “CO2-Based Demand-Controlled Ventilation with ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2004”,

Engineers Newsletter 34-5 (2005)

Murphy, J. “Advances in Dessicant-Based Dehumidification”,

Engineers Newsletter 34-4 (2005)

Stanke, D. “Design Tips for Effective, Efficient Dedicated Outdoor-Air Systems”,

Engineers Newsletter 30-3 (2001)

“Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems”, Application Guide, SYS-APG001A-EN (2019)

“Dehumidification in HVAC Systems”, Applications Engineering Manual, SYS-APM004-EN (2002)

“Refrigerating System and Machinery Rooms”, Applications Engineering Manual, APP-APM001-EN (2012)

TRACE™ 3D Plus HVAC system design and analysis software. Visit www.trane.com/TRACE3DPlus

71
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