Integrated space conditioning and water heating/cooling systems and methods thereto

A variable refrigerant flow (VRF) conditioning system comprising:

• a plurality of outdoor units, each outdoor unit comprising:
• a compressor,
• a condenser coil, and
• a fan;
• a plurality of terminals comprising:
• a first terminal configured to condition air of a room, the first terminal comprising an evaporator;
• and
• a second terminal configured to heat or cool liquid, the second terminal comprising a liquid heating device;
• and
• a single refrigerant network comprising a vapor refrigerant conduit, a liquid refrigerant conduit, and a return refrigerant conduit in communication with each of the plurality of outdoor units and each of the plurality of terminals and including a branch circuit controller disposed between the plurality of outdoor units and the plurality of terminals,
• wherein the VRF conditioning system is configured to:
• (i) direct refrigerant from at least one outdoor unit of the plurality of outdoor units to the branch circuit controller;
• (ii) simultaneously direct refrigerant from the branch circuit controller to the first terminal and the second terminal to simultaneously provide an air-cooling effect via the first terminal and a liquid-heating effect via the second terminal;
• and (iii) operate in a heat recovery mode wherein heat energy extracted from a terminal of the plurality of terminals that is operating in a cooling mode can be directed to another terminal that is operating in a heating mode via the branch circuit controller.