PROJECT PROFILE
The system was designed to establish ONE system to provide both heating and cooling. This system has the capability of both heating and cooling the home and workshop using the air handler and slabs in the main home, and the slab and fan convector in the workshop.
Sophisticated Design Provides Heating AND Cooling!
The system that Sundance designed and installed uses a Chiltrix ultra high efficiency Air to Water Heat Pump. This is a reverse cycle chiller that produces both hot and chilled water for heating and cooling. Domestic hot water is produced using the heat pump with a stainless-steel indirect water heater. There is a resistive electric backup heating element for meeting high domestic hot water demand. The heat pump system also utilizes a sophisticated electric back-up for the radiant floor system which produces the amount of energy required to supplement the heat pumps during severe cold weather situations to meet the demands of the home. A Chiltrix air handler provides additional cooling and dehumidification in the main house, while a single fan convector provides additional cooling and dehumidification in the workshop.
How Do Air to Water Heat Pumps Work?
Air-to-water heat pumps are similar to the more common air-to-air heat pumps and mini-splits. Instead of blowing conditioned air through ducts or indoor heads, these units heat or cool water, which then circulates through fan coil units, radiant floors, or other hydronic systems.
Key Advantages:
Ultra-High Efficiency
- Inverter-driven and uses advanced variable-speed technology, so they adjust output to match demand, reducing wasted energy.
- Can achieve COP (Coefficient of Performance) values of 4–6 in mild weather—meaning 400–600% efficiency for heat output per unit of electricity used.
- Uses low-temperature hydronic heating, which is more efficient than pushing hot air through ducts.
Heating, Cooling and Domestic Hot Water in One
- Works as both a heater and a chiller:
- In winter it heats water to warm your home
- In summer it chills water to cool your home
- Produces domestic hot water year-round
- Can connect to fan coil units for forced-air delivery (ducted AC) or to radiant floor/wall/ceiling panels for silent, draft-free comfort.
Superior Comfort
- Hydronic heating avoids the dry air and hot/cold blasts that can happen with traditional forced-air systems.
- Radiant and fan coil distribution can provide more even room temperatures.
- Radiant cooling is more efficient, quieter and less “blowy” than ducted AC.
Flexible Zoning
- Because the system uses small water lines instead of bulky ducts, each zone (room or group of rooms) can have independent temperature control.
- Perfect for retrofits or additions where ductwork is impractical.
Integration with Renewable Energy
- Works well with solar PV—high efficiency means less electricity needed for heating/cooling, making it easier to run on solar.
- Can pair with thermal storage tanks, letting you store hot or cold water to use later, potentially shifting load to off-peak hours.
Long-Term Durability & Maintenance
- Water piping and fan coils are generally simpler to maintain than ducts and multiple refrigerant lines.
- No need for duct cleaning, and fan coil filters are easy to access.
The Bottom Line
- Air-to-Water Heat Pumps offer ultimate comfort and efficiency for radiant heating and cooling in one high-quality unit.
- Excellent long-term efficiency and flexibility offsets the potential higher upfront cost.
- Great for homes without ducts or for people sensitive to air movement/dust.
Sundance Power Systems has extensive experience with hydronic systems. For 30 years, we have designed, installed and serviced all types of these systems, from the old solar hot water to all kinds of radiant floor heat. Now, we have added these ultra efficient air to water heat pumps to our repertoire! The Chiltrix system has amazing capabilities and we are excited to offer these powerful and versatile systems to our customers. If you are designing a new home and want to incorporate an ultra efficient heating and cooling system, talk to us. We are the trailblazer in this field and can help you achieve fantastic results that will provide years of energy efficient comfort for your family!
