Air-cooled variable refrigerant flow multi-split heat pump incentive now available


Variable refrigerant flow equipment on a building rooftop.Energy Trust now offers a new standard incentive for air-cooled variable refrigerant flow (VRF) multi-split heat pumps for use in offices and K-12 schools.

This new equipment solution maximizes energy efficiency without presenting code issues on new installations or retrofits. The new standard incentive provides more options for customers who were previously limited to a custom project that included a fuel switch.

Trade allies can help customers further reduce energy costs by coupling VRF with other equipment. Paired with the required dedicated outside air system (DOAS) equipped with a heat recovery ventilator (HRV), outside air load conditions are offset. The HRV effectively reduces the load on the VRF system—an added benefit for air moving through the system. With a relatively long life of 15 to 20 years, VRFs are a good HVAC investment.

The standard incentive is outlined in the following table. Custom incentives may also be available if the standard incentive requirements cannot be met.

EquipmentRequirementsEstimated Average SavingsUnit Incentive
Air-Cooled VRF—
Multi-Split Heat Pump
Non-ducted, Office
Limited to projects ≥ 25,000 sq ft
Install dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) with
energy recovery meeting a 50% enthalpy recovery
efficiency minimum
DOAS air supplied at a neutral space temperature
Each condenser unit has a rated cooling capacity
greater than 5 tons with variable speed compressor
operation and serves multiple ductless indoor
evaporator units
Meet or exceed 2016 CEE Tier 1 air-cooled
VRF efficiency levels2
Majority of indoor fans are set to cycle rather than
running continuously during occupied hours
5.54 kWh/sq ft of area
served by VRF
$1.00/sq ft of area
served by VRF
Air-Cooled VRF—
Multi-Split Heat Pump
Ducted, Office
Limited to projects ≥ 25,000 sq ft
Install DOAS with energy recovery meeting a 50%
enthalpy recovery efficiency minimum
DOAS air supplied at a neutral space temperature
Each condenser unit has a rated cooling capacity
greater than 5 tons with variable speed compressor
operation and serves multiple ducted indoor
evaporator units
Meet or exceed 2016 CEE Tier 1 air-cooled
VRF efficiency levels2
Majority of indoor fans are set to cycle rather than
running continuously during occupied hours
4.86 kWh/sq ft of area
served by VRF
$1.00/sq ft of area
served by VRF
Air-Cooled VRF—
Multi-Split Heat Pump
Non-ducted, School
Limited to projects ≥ 25,000 sq ft
Install DOAS with energy recovery meeting a 50%
enthalpy recovery efficiency minimum
DOAS air supplied at a neutral space temperature
Each condenser unit has a rated cooling capacity
greater than 5 tons with variable speed compressor
operation and serves multiple ductless indoor
evaporator units
Meet or exceed 2016 CEE Tier 1 air-cooled
VRF efficiency levels2
Majority of fans are set to cycle rather than running
continuously during occupied hours
6.35 kWh/sq ft of area
served by VRF
$1.00/sq ft of area
served by VRF
Air-Cooled VRF—
Multi-Split Heat Pump
Ducted, School
Limited to projects ≥ 25,000 sq ft
Install DOAS with energy recovery meeting a 50%
enthalpy recovery efficiency minimum
DOAS air supplied at a neutral space temperature
Each condenser unit has a rated cooling capacity
greater than 5 tons with variable speed compressor
operation and serves multiple ducted indoor
evaporator units
Meet or exceed 2016 CEE Tier 1 air-cooled
VRF efficiency levels2
Majority of fans are set to cycle rather than running
continuously during occupied hours
5.80 kWh/sq ft of area
served by VRF
$1.00/sq ft of area
served by VRF

1The incentive is limited to offices and schools.
22016 CEE Tier 1 VRF Air Cooled efficiency levels listed on pages 4–5 of “Appendix A: 2016 Through 2018 Commercial Unitary Air Conditioning and
Heat Pumps Specification; Effective January 12, 2016 through December 31, 2018

For more information, contact Aaron Lazelle, trade ally coordinator, at 541.460.1517.