HVACR manufacturers, distributors, and contractors alike have taken notice of the variable-refrigerant flow (VRF) equipment and applications that are entering the U.S. market. Overseas, in countries like China and Japan, the HVAC market is virtually saturated with the technology, according to Brandon Bradley, LEED AP, at ABCO Supply, headquartered in Long Island City, N.Y. In the U.S., however, the market is moving incrementally. Having already reached 4 percent saturation, industry experts are expecting the VRF slice of the market pie to grow at a marked pace in the next few years.
Manufacturers have made multiple changes to VRF’s North American landscape this year. One of the larger changes announced in November was Daikin Industries’ VRF entrance into the U.S. residential sector. Not only is the company launching a residential brand in the states, it will also be manufacturing the systems in the U.S., too. According to the company, this will place Daikin, Goodman, and Amana brands all on domestic soil at the same time. (See the full story on page 1 of this issue.)