Domestic VRF heat pump?

It's been a while since I last posted here (mostly on account of my being an electrical engineer rather than having any qualifications in refrigeration engineering!) but I'm hoping you guys will be able to help me out.

I am in the process of buying a new home, currently it is fitted with storage heaters on economy seven. I'm not too fussed about their inefficiency as electricity is relatively cheap on E7, but I would prefer a more practical system that can give me near instant heat or cooling and is more controllable.

It would seem that some form of VRF heat pump would be an ideal solution, and efficient at that. After installing a couple of split heat pumps in my current home I've developed a bit of an interest in A/C, and would like to give something a little more ambitious a try.

I've looked at the various offerings of domestic VRF systems currently on the market from the likes of Hitachi, Daikin, Fujitsu, Sanyo and Toshiba. Apart from a few minor differences the offerings from these manufacturers all seem to be about the same.

My key requirements are a condensor that will run from a single phase supply, a choice of aesthetically pleasing indoor units, and the ability to have individual controls for each room plus a central master control. Are there any recommendations for a system that meets these requirements and is suitable for domestic use?

It's also worth pointing out that I'd like to replace each storage heater with a wall/floor mount indoor unit, so this would have to be part of the range. I would also be interested in hearing about how others go about installing wall/floor mount units. Upstairs wont be a major problem as all pipework can exit underneath the casing and under the floor. The downstairs floor is (presumably) solid, as are the walls, and I really don't want to run trunking. Can the pipework be chased into a wall and up into the ceiling? Obviously this would mean using a condensate pump.

Finally, assuming it isn't against the rules for me to do so, can anyone give me an idea of the sort of price I'll be looking at for a VRF heat pump for a 4-bedroom house? Yes, I know it's vague, and I'm sorry, but I haven't moved into the place yet and so am unable to perform any exact science to calculate my heating/cooling requirements.

I am happy performing (or at least attempting) the installation myself. I'd like to keep costs to a minimum, and would even consider installing a far eastern import if such a VRF heat pump exists, but I haven't seen it. The two A/C units I installed in my current home have been running almost 24/7 for the past 2 years and were cheap imports, yet to have a problem!

Thanks for your patience

Matthew

Stay with Mitsubsihi Electric, Daikin or Fujitsu...in that order.
Single phase no problem (depends on the capacity you needs), individual controls, master control, all possible.
YOu can use the pre-airco boxes. http://www.ronda.be/aspvanderbeke/id...dgroepmerk=804
If price matters, install all separate units, a VRV/VRF will cost a lot more.

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Originally Posted by Peter_1

Stay with Mitsubsihi Electric, Daikin or Fujitsu...in that order.

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Hi Peter,

Should it be Daikin, Mitsubsihi Electric or Fujitsu......:D

Obi Wan, you're course also right.
I should say, if I must chose between Daikin and Mitsubishi, then I should go for the lowest price.

And...1000 times thanks mate for your help ;)
Since then, I read all your posts because I know you know what you're talking about.
I know that I will learn something.

And Frank, thanks also to you. The post pigeon arrived yet.

Hi peter
I am a shareholder in a heat pump company located in Hungary we are desperate for a technical enginer familier with designing can you help

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Originally Posted by Peter_1

And Frank, thanks also to you. The post pigeon arrived yet.

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Peter, the snail mail should drop onto your desk anyday now, although we have been experiencing postal strikes and I understand that there is a lot of backlog in the London area. :)

Send me once a PM with your emaill address please.
Peter

I think I explained myself not that well: the package was delivered last Thursday.
Thanks.

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Originally Posted by Peter_1

If price matters, install all separate units, a VRV/VRF will cost a lot more.

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Thanks Peter. I have considered seperate units, but the house is a converted church hall with only a limited amount of inconspicuous outdoor space in which to mount the condenser, hence the decision for VRF. I suppose a couple of multisplits could do the job equally well, but without the variable compressor drive it's not going to prove as efficient a solution for year round heating/cooling.