Why VRF Systems Are Gaining Popularity in Commercial and Multi-Family Buildings

March 20, 2025

Managing a commercial building or multi-family property means juggling a lot, and keeping everyone comfortable is often one of the biggest headaches. Some rooms are freezing while others feel like a sauna, and you’re left dealing with complaints and high energy bills. That’s why more building owners are turning to VRF systems—they let you heat and cool different spaces at once while using less energy.

At Scott-Lee Heating Company in St. Louis, MO, we’ve worked with businesses and property owners to upgrade their buildings with VRF technology, and we’ve seen firsthand how it can make a difference. Whether you’re looking to cut costs, reduce complaints, or just upgrade an aging system, VRF might be exactly what you need.

What Makes a VRF System Different From Traditional HVAC?

If you’ve been dealing with a standard heating and cooling system in your building for years, you probably know how it works. The air conditioner kicks on, cools the whole building, then shuts off. It’s the same thing when you turn on the heat. It’s either blasting or off, and you’re always messing with the thermostat, trying to get it just right. One room feels too hot, another stays cold, and you’re left wondering why it’s so hard to keep everything comfortable.

That’s where a VRF system changes the game. Instead of treating your entire building like one big room, it lets you independently control temperatures in different areas. It can heat one part of the building while cooling another. You could have a conference room that stays cool for a big meeting, while an office down the hall gets a little extra heat because someone likes it warmer. And the best part? It all happens at the same time, without forcing you to blast the AC or crank up the heat everywhere.

This works because VRF systems use something called variable refrigerant flow. That might sound technical, but what it really means is the system adjusts how much heating or cooling it sends to different areas based on what each one needs. Instead of just being on or off, it runs more smoothly, constantly making small adjustments. You get steady comfort instead of those hot-and-cold swings that older systems can’t seem to fix.

How VRF Systems Help You Save on Energy Costs

When you’re managing a large building, heating and cooling costs can take a serious bite out of your budget. You probably don’t even notice it anymore—those high bills just show up, and you pay them because you have to. But what if your system was wasting energy every single day, and you didn’t even realize it?

That’s what happens with older HVAC systems. They’re designed to work in cycles—full power, then off. Every time they start up, they pull a lot of energy. Then they cool or heat the whole building, even the empty rooms, and shut back down. It’s like driving a car that only knows how to slam on the gas or slam on the brakes.

A VRF system doesn’t work like that. It runs more efficiently by adjusting the amount of heating or cooling based on what’s needed. If one part of your building is already comfortable, it won’t waste energy trying to cool it more. It only focuses on the areas that need it. Over time, those small adjustments lead to noticeable savings. You’ll likely see your monthly energy bill drop, and those savings can add up fast over a year.

Why VRF Systems Are Quieter Than You Expect

If you’ve ever worked in a building with an older HVAC system, you know the sound it makes when it kicks on. That loud hum, followed by the whoosh of air blasting through the vents. It’s the kind of noise you get used to, but it can still be annoying, especially in offices where people need to focus or apartments where tenants just want some peace and quiet.

VRF systems are built differently. Instead of that all-or-nothing roar, they run more steadily and quietly. The outdoor units hum along at lower speeds, and the indoor units are designed to be quieter than traditional air handlers. That constant, low-level operation means you don’t get those sudden bursts of noise every time the system turns on.

If you manage a building with tenants, that quiet operation can be a big deal. It creates a better work or living environment, and people notice. Nobody wants to be on an important phone call or trying to fall asleep only to be interrupted by a loud HVAC system kicking into gear.

Easier Maintenance With Fewer Breakdowns

If you’ve been responsible for keeping a building’s HVAC system running, you know breakdowns always seem to happen at the worst times. Maybe it’s the hottest week of the summer or right before an important meeting, and suddenly, you’re on the phone trying to get someone out for an emergency repair.

Older systems tend to work harder than they should, which can lead to wear and tear on parts. Over time, that adds up to more repairs and downtime. VRF systems, on the other hand, are designed to run more efficiently and consistently, which means less strain on the equipment.

That doesn’t mean you can skip maintenance altogether, but it does mean you’re less likely to get those sudden breakdowns. When you keep up with routine service, a VRF system can run smoothly for years without giving you the headaches that older systems often do.

Flexibility for Different Types of Buildings

One of the reasons VRF systems have become so popular is that they work well in all kinds of buildings. If you manage an office building, you know how different each tenant’s needs can be. One company might need cool air all day for their computer servers, while another just wants their conference room comfortable for the occasional meeting.

VRF systems can handle that kind of variety without missing a beat. They can adjust to each space’s needs without wasting energy heating or cooling areas that aren’t in use. That same flexibility makes them a great choice for multi-family buildings, where every apartment has different preferences. Someone on the top floor might need more cooling in the summer, while a unit on the ground floor stays naturally cooler.

This kind of system allows you to keep everyone comfortable without constantly adjusting the settings for the entire building. It’s a modern solution that fits into the way people actually use buildings today.

Call Us Today

Choosing the right heating and cooling system for your building can feel like a big decision, but upgrading to a VRF system is one move that can pay off for years to come. You’ll get more control over temperatures, lower energy bills, and happier tenants or employees. Plus, you won’t have to worry as much about surprise breakdowns or costly repairs. If you’re ready to learn more about how a VRF system can work for your commercial building, contact Scott-Lee Heating Company today to get started.