Thought you were going with the low cost, simple robust NextGen boiler? I can’t imagine why you would go the more complicated, expensive and third-party unproven Chiltrix route given your small home, low heat load and low electric cost. It is good to finally hear about Chiltrix actual user experience other than from the folks pushing them. Anyhow, sorry to hear about your problems and frustrations. Hopefully it will get sorted out soon.

I have read some of the literature from Chiltrix and remember it saying you may need a second pump.

You may have faith in your electrician but this sounds more like a plumbing issue. Like Sailaway I am interested to here real world experiences of this heat pump.

The Chiltrix installation manual clearly explains how to do a head loss calculation. Don't blame Chiltrix (or Nextgen or any other hydronic heating equipment) if your electrician doesn't understand plumbing and tries to do it anyway.

Yeah get a good HVAC person to hook it up and keep your fingers crossed. Complicated heat pumps maybe with exception of mini splits usually end being expensive PIA. So you ae probably screwed in long run. Save a couple electric $ every month and spend thousands of maintenance $ to keep it alive.

Ended up choosing the Chiltrix.... been installed over a month now and they're still troubleshooting, it's not functioning. Keeps tripping the breaker and the "control" center has continual error messages and goes black screen. My plumber and electrician have been on the phone with the manufacturer trying to figure it out. Good thing I have a gas fireplace as back-up heat. Getting into the teens at night now, would be nice if they could figure out the in-floor heat/Chiltrix. This installation is costing a fortune. At this point, I would NOT recommend Chiltrix!!!!!

"Good" HVAC person? ha! where I live in rural Northeast Oregon, choices are slim to none. What was I thinking..... It has been a joint effort between the plumber and electrican, both have 30+ years in the business, I thought they could figure it out. Hopefully soon, before I have to take out another bank loan to pay them! NOT recommending Chiltrix at this point. Ok, I think I'll go cry now.

Wish I'd have gone with the NextGen..... will keep you posted on the Chiltrix. Thanks for your encouragement.

I had high hopes -- between my electrician and plumber, who've both been scratching their heads for a month, talking with tech support at Chiltrix -- I can't imagine what could possibly take A MONTH to figure out!!!! This install is gonna cost me a small fortune - I'm not blaming Chiltrix.... just wish I'd known what a learning curve it would be for my local yokel subcontractors, who've been in the business over 30 years (the plumber and electrician) When they first looked at it, they agreed it looked do-able and certainly had promising returns and efficiency. We'll see.....

My last few comments....were replies to individual posters, (I hit the reply button next to their comment) but it didn't post that way. What am I doing wrong?

Properly installing and setting up a heat pump system takes way more technical knowledge and experience than even the most knowledgeable and experienced electrician or plumber will likely have. You really need a good HVAC technician. If you can’t find one in your area to accomplish both the installation/setup and future maintenance, I worry that you made a bad heat source choice.

You need to hit the "Quote" button to just reply to a specific individual. The "Reply" button replies to everyone.

thanks for the "reply" tip! hope I do this right.... In hindsight: I thought I had done enough research, but obviously didn't fully realize the crucial aspect of having a good HVAC person for the install and future maintenance. I took the electrician and plumbers "looks good" regarding my choice of Chiltrix, at face value, not anticipating their problematic and COSTLY install as well as potential maintenance nightmares of the future. I guess I will find out, and when I do, I'll post here. Thanks for your replies. Wish me luck.

Posted By sailawayrb on 02 Dec 2017 04:08 PM
Properly installing and setting up a heat pump system takes way more technical knowledge and experience than even the most knowledgeable and experienced electrician or plumber will likely have. You really need a good HVAC technician. If you can’t find one in your area to accomplish both the installation/setup and future maintenance, I worry that you made a bad heat source choice.

You need to hit the "Quote" button to just reply to a specific individual. The "Reply" button replies to everyone.

Laura, please keep us updated and I wish you only the best of luck and a Happy New Year too!

Gayle

Been there as a pioneer and there is no good answer other than DIY. I installed multifuel hydronic with 280 gallons of storage using firewood, solar hot water and electric tankless, with air to water heat pump to come. I found adventurous, competent tradesmen but oddball means the learning curve starts over a year later. Be prepared to take over or keep paying for trades to get back up to speed. Multifuel is common in Europe. Thanks US petroleum industry lobby! Arrgh. Air to water heat pumps are also common everywhere but here. Here is an 18k Mitsubishi pump selling for $3,200 US after the merchant subtracts a 20 percent VAT not due on exports. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/18kW-Mitsubishi-Inverter-Air-Source-Heat-Pump-water-heater-Gas-Oil-Boilers/112633961416?hash=item1a3981dbc8:g:ctwAAOSwW6BaGJiZ ARRGH.

Laura S, have you had any luck resolving the chiltrix issues? I would be very grateful for your thoughts.

I agree, it would be very nice to hear how this was finally resolved...and hopefully very well!

After one year, still working out bugs, though can't blame Chiltrix -- my plumber has blown off my project, leaving me with a system that is barely functioning. He FINALLY showed up last week (a year after his "good-to-go" proclamation) to top off the glycol in the system. There was a loose fitting on the buffer tank, leaking glycol and allowing air in the lines, which caused "error" messages, I was continually having to "reset". It would work 'sort of' before going into fault mode and needing to be reset. Plus, this whole time the DHW, which was to be running off the Chiltrix, was NOT, because of the low flow (lack of glycol, air in the lines) problem, so was running off the elements in the tank instead, costing WAY more in electricity. Again, plumber error, not Chiltrix. What does a woman have to do to get her plumber to finish what he started?!?!?!? He's a very kind and charming man, who seems genuinely concerned about my dilemma, so why doesn't he come and fix it??? How can he think this kind of "service" is acceptable? Yeah, I could hire another plumber, but thought best to stick with the one who installed, who KNOWS what he's done.

Update: tank fitting is still leaking glycol, system faulting again, plumber says tighten the fitting, I tried and it didn't budge. Hope it doesn't take him another year to take care of this leaky fitting. Oh, and he's charging me every time he comes over!!! This is costing me a fortune, but again, I can't blame Chiltrix. Given what I know now (the need for a GOOD hvac person) I would've chosen differently. I have Chiltrix Tech Support guy on speed dial and he has been exceedingly patient and helpful in explaining the errors. Plumber and he need to talk!

On a positive note: Overall, my passive-solar, on-slab home is functioning well. I love it! No overheating issues in summer, as some predicted. I will provide another update after giving the Chiltrix system a solid evaluation, once it's fully functioning. Thanks for asking!

After one year, still working out bugs, though can't blame Chiltrix -- my plumber has blown off my project, leaving me with a system that is barely functioning. He FINALLY showed up last week (a year after his "good-to-go" proclamation) to top off the glycol in the system. There was a loose fitting on the buffer tank, leaking glycol and allowing air in the lines, which caused "error" messages, I was continually having to "reset". It would work 'sort of' before going into fault mode and needing to be reset. Plus, this whole time the DHW, which was to be running off the Chiltrix, was NOT, because of the low flow (lack of glycol, air in the lines) problem, so was running off the elements in the tank instead, costing WAY more in electricity. Again, plumber error, not Chiltrix. What does a woman have to do to get her plumber to finish what he started?!?!?!? He's a very kind and charming man, who seems genuinely concerned about my dilemma, so why doesn't he come and fix it??? How can he think this kind of "service" is acceptable? Yeah, I could hire another plumber, but thought best to stick with the one who installed, who KNOWS what he's done.

Update: tank fitting is still leaking glycol, system faulting again, plumber says tighten the fitting, I tried and it didn't budge. Hope it doesn't take him another year to take care of this leaky fitting. Oh, and he's charging me every time he comes over!!! This is costing me a fortune, but again, I can't blame Chiltrix. Given what I know now (the need for a GOOD hvac person) I would've chosen differently. I have Chiltrix Tech Support guy on speed dial and he has been exceedingly patient and helpful in explaining the errors. Plumber and he need to talk!

On a positive note: Overall, my passive-solar, on-slab home is functioning well. I love it! No overheating issues in summer, as some predicted. I will provide another update after giving the Chiltrix system a solid evaluation, once it's fully functioning. Thanks for asking!

Thanks for the update!

If something is leaking that he worked on he shouldn't charge you to fix the leak.

With the Chiltrix making 100% of DHW could you shut off the breaker to the tank?, if there is no hot water reset the Chiltrix.

ChrisJ

Glad to hear you are happy with the overall performance of your passive solar home. Sorry to hear that you are still dealing with HVAC problems. I fully concur with Chris that your current plumber shouldn’t be charging you for correcting problems that he created or should have avoided. If a plumber can’t fix a leaky fitting after multiple attempts... So I think I would get a second plumber or better yet, a good HVAC technician who can work with Chiltrix to make sure all is in proper order.