HVAC System for High Rise Buildings
                     HVAC System for High Rise Buildings
When designing a high-rise building, besides all other things, you also need to think of 
the HVAC system for that space. Be it a residential complex or a commercial one, the 
air conditioning, and ventilation system is of utmost importance because it ensures 
superior comfort of the people inside the building. And therefore, you need to know 
everything about the HVAC system of a high-rise building before investing in it.
What Makes High Rise HVAC Different?
An HVAC system functions quite differently in a high-rise building than that in a building 
with fewer stories. As the air temperature outside the higher stories decreases 
significantly while the height increases, the system needs to work intelligently to keep 
the temperature the same throughout the building at all times. A high-rise HVAC system
should be able to cope with the ever-changing temperature inside the building to ensure
proper ventilation and maximum comfort.
If you don’t install an efficient HVAC system in your high-rise building, there is always a 
considerable risk of uneven airflow throughout the structure.
Types of HVAC Systems for High-Rise 
Buildings
1.   Central Water-Cooled System
The “central water-cooled system” is the most demandable HVAC system for modern 
high-rise buildings. Equipped with a central cooling tower and a boiler, this unit has 
water-sourced heat pump units in each apartment to maintain optimal temperature 
throughout the building. With this system, you don’t have to worry about proper 
ventilation or comfort in your skyscraper.
But then again, this HVAC system has its downsides too. As this chilled water system 
uses water pipes that run through the various walls in the building, it might result in 
expensive damage in case of any water leak.
Also, as this air conditioning system requires placing cooling units in each apartment, it 
might create serious space issues, especially for smaller living areas.
2.   Four Pipe Water System
This HVAC system for high-rise buildings has pipes for both air-cooled chillers and 
boilers to provide hot and cool air simultaneously in your apartments using indoor fan 
coil units in each apartment. It is extremely energy efficient and effective.
However, the benefits end here. It is extremely expensive to install and also makes it 
difficult to measure the energy consumption of each individual apartment.
3.   Packaged Units
In the past, the packaged units were the most popular HVAC systems for high-rise 
buildings, as there weren’t many options available. These units are still used in modern 
times too, but only in those buildings where there is a restriction in drilling new holes in 
the walls. As these air conditioning systems can be installed through an existing wall 
opening, it is still popular in landmark buildings.
One drawback of the packaged HVAC units is that they are super noisy and don’t 
provide the comfort as many other modern HVAC units do.
4.   Individual Split System
As the name suggests, an individual split system consists of individual units for each 
room in an apartment, rather than one large unit for all the living spaces in a high-rise 
building. And as these units are smaller in size, they are inexpensive to install too.
This system includes two parts to work seamlessly. The condensing unit is placed under
a window or balcony, while the indoor fan coil unit is mounted somewhere up in the 
room to circulate air perfectly.
But then again, you might have to forgo closet space or lower the ceiling height for this 
system to work properly in your room.
5.   VRF System
Variable Refrigerant Flow or more popularly known as the VRF System is one of the 
newest HVAC technologies to use in high-rise buildings. It is gaining rapid popularity 
among the users not only because it is extremely efficient but also because it ensures 
superior comfort. It provides customized heating or cooling to each of the apartments so
that you can enjoy the most suitable temperature in your living space.
Moreover, as it offers customizable airflow, it can deal with the varying temperature 
demand between upper and lower floors like none other.
Wrapping Up
We have discussed everything you need to know about high-rise HVAC systems so that
you never feel clueless while talking to your contractor. It will help you to understand the
nitty-gritty of the system and determine what air conditioning system would be the best 
choice for you.
See the summary of this content in this infographic – HVAC for High Rise Buildings 
[Infographic]
HVAC for High Rise Buildings
Sources: https://greenleafair.com/hvac-system-for-high-rise-buildings/