Unlike most systems that have outdoor units on the roof of a building, the units for The Sinclair’s VRF system are located on mezzanines in the alley to create space for a rooftop bar. Source: Baird, Hampton & BrownThe recent renovation of The Sinclair, a historic art-deco hotel in Fort Worth, Texas, incorporated a new variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system. Engineering design firm Baird, Hampton & Brown (BHB) chose the technologically advanced system to replace the building's traditional hydronic heating and cooling system.

VRF, originally known as variable refrigerant volume, or VRV, was invented in Japan by Daiken Industries Ltd. in 1982. It has been more widely used in Japan and Europe than in the U.S. but is gaining in popularity here because of its flexibility and energy efficiency.

Typical heating and cooling systems are either on or off. VRF systems add a DC inverter to the compressor, which supports variable motor speed and, consequently, variable refrigerant flow. Similar to mini-splits, VRF adjusts to meet the different temperature needs throughout a building, rather than continuously delivering large quantities of refrigerant to all areas all the time. Occupants have the ability to adjust the temperature in their space to their preferred comfort level. This flexibility results in substantial energy savings as well as greater comfort.

"The VRF system helps The Sinclair be a more efficient and smarter building. A hotel room's AC unit will respond to the person who walks in and automatically know what setpoint temperature they are looking for," stated Gibran Michel, BHB associate and senior mechanical designer.

From an engineering and design perspective, the BHB team was able to make two creative modifications to the building. The lack of ductwork and the smaller space required for VRF enabled BHB to restore the original ceiling height and ornate windows to the lobby level. The addition of a rooftop bar was possible because the outdoor units were located in an alley, rather than on the roof where they are typically placed.

The advanced VRF HVAC system contributes to the hotel's unique modern experience and stylish atmosphere. Other hotel amenities include LG Wallpaper TVs and Kohler digital showers. The Sinclair held its grand opening in January 2020.