ATLANTA — At a press conference at the AHR Expo in Atlanta, Carrier discussed innovations in rooftop technology including the Toshiba Carrier Variable Frequency Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Rooftop. Designed to help optimize energy efficiency and deliver ideal zoned comfort, it allows multiple rooftop units to be connected to one condensing unit and additional VRF fan coil units.

“We are launching a first of its kind, rooftop style fan coil: a VRF rooftop able to provide heat recovery and heat pump operation,” said Meredith Emmerich, managing director, ductless and VRF at Carrier. “Not only can we add this rooftop style fan, we can also use traditional ducted or ductless VRF style indoor units. So multiple indoor units — ducted, ductless, rooftop — can go on a single VRF system that can cover up to 38 tons per system."

The unit is available in 3, 4, and 5 tons for flexibility of use: “think office building, schools where you have a gymnasium and classrooms,” she said. It also has economizer operations to provide the necessary outside air, leveraging CO2 sensors, and is Title 24 compliant for use in California.

“All of these combined are going to enable us, for new construction as well as replacement/retrofit, to update the energy efficiency of a building: leveraging this rooftop, leveraging the existing ductwork in a building while tying in with the VRF condensing unit … to upgrade the performance of the facility,” Emmerich said.

Greg Alcorn is vice president and general manager, commercial HVAC systems at Carrier.

“We like to say with our new rooftop … that we literally reinvented the wheel,” he said. “The megatrends of urban growth, energy efficiency, digitization are expanding growth opportunities across the globe for us. Expansion of urban populations means more demand for our systems. Building consultants and building engineers are looking for clarity, simplification, trust in their building solutions, products, and systems, including applications of smart technology.”

Publication date: 1/14/2019

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