Nontraditional HVAC systems are becoming more widely accepted in the healthcare market, including variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, air curtains, and geothermal heat pumps, according to an article on the Air Conditioning/Heating/Refrigeration News website. All are designed to improve comfort and save energy.

Individualized comfort and saving energy are both important, which is why healthcare facilities have embraced energy-efficient VRF systems, the article said. Other benefits of utilizing a VRF system include quiet operation and ease of maintenance. 

While VRF systems have numerous benefits for healthcare administrators, workers, and patients, there are benefits for contractors, as well. VRF zoning systems offer a small footprint, and they don’t require ductwork, which frees up precious space. In addition, they are lightweight, which makes them easy to handle and transport.

Another non-traditional solution is the use of air curtains, which protect all entrances from outdoor air infiltration.

Air curtains draw clean air from the lobby through an integral diffuser and have electric heaters that are critical for indoor air comfort in lobbies. 

Read the article.