VRF Central AC System for School Library Project

Sparkey carried out a customized VRF central air conditioning project for a school library in Heanan Province, China. The core objective is to address the libraries’ unique requirements of quiet operation, constant temperature and humidity, and green energy efficiency, creating a comfortable and stable reading and learning environment for teachers and students, while also ensuring economic and sustainable operation.

I. Core Project Requirements

1. Precise Environmental Control: Books are highly sensitive to temperature and humidity. The system maintain a stable indoor temperature of 22–26°C and relative humidity of 45%–60% to prevent books from becoming damp, moldy, or brittle.

2. Low-Noise Operation: To preserve a quiet reading and study environment, operational noise must remain below 40 dB, minimizing disturbance to teachers and students.

3. Zoned Adaptability: Different library areas (stacks, student reading rooms, teacher reading rooms, digital reading zones, book cafés, etc.) vary in visitor flow and usage duration. The system provides zoned temperature control to enhance energy efficiency.

4. Green and Energy-Efficient: In line with the school’s low-carbon philosophy, the system adopts high-efficiency equipment to reduce long-term energy consumption and operating costs.

II. System Design Solution

Considering the building structures of both libraries (the middle school library includes open spaces such as the “Experimental Book Café,” while the school library features multiple reading zones and a children’s wing), the proposed solution adopts a VRF central air conditioning system as the core, supported by auxiliary equipment where necessary.

• Main Equipment Selection: High-efficiency (Grade 1) VRF air conditioning units are used, with outdoor units centrally installed on rooftops or designated equipment areas. Indoor units are selected according to specific zone needs: ducted low-noise units for stacks and digital reading zones (hidden installation, space-saving), and FCU units for open reading areas and cafés (uniform air distribution and wide coverage).

• Temperature & Humidity Control: Dedicated humidity control systems are installed in the stacks, integrated with central air conditioning to maintain precise humidity via dehumidification/humidification modules, ensuring the protection of book collections.

• Smart Control: A central control platform enables zoned scheduling, temperature adjustment, and automatic operation mode switching based on library schedules (weekdays, weekends, holidays), minimizing energy waste during idle periods.

• Noise Reduction: Ultra-quiet indoor units are selected; ducts are wrapped with acoustic insulation; and outdoor units are fitted with sound barriers, ensuring both indoor and outdoor noise meet strict quietness standards.

III. Project Highlights

1. Scenario-Driven, Practical & Protective: The combination of air conditioning + independent dehumidification satisfies both user comfort and professional preservation needs, addressing the dual requirements of “people and books.”

2. Energy-Efficient & Cost-Effective: Grade 1 energy-efficient units consume 20%–30% less electricity annually compared to standard models. Combined with intelligent zoning, this further reduces energy waste during non-use periods, aligning with schools’ low-cost operation goals.

3. Discreet Installation, Preserving Space Integrity: The indoor units are concealed ceiling-mounted FCU and ducts with Phenolic color steel and insulation layer, maintaining the library’s shelving layout and interior aesthetics while maximizing usable reading space.

4. Durable & Campus-Ready: The system uses Brand GREE models with low failure rates, supported by scheduled maintenance to ensure long-term stability and minimize operational disruption.

IV. Project Value

This VRF project provides the libraries with a premium reading environment featuring constant temperature, constant humidity, and low noise, enhancing both learning efficiency and book preservation. At the same time, its green and energy-saving design reflects the school’s low-carbon development philosophy, reducing long-term operating costs. The project serves as a benchmark case of “scenario-driven, practical, and efficient” air conditioning design for public campus spaces.