A chiller boiler system includes a

chiller A chiller is a machine that removes heat from a liquid coolant via a vapor-compression, adsorption refrigeration, or absorption refrigeration cycles. This liquid can then be circulated through a heat exchanger to cool equipment, or another p ...

, a

boiler A boiler is a closed vessel in which fluid (generally water) is heated. The fluid does not necessarily boil. The heated or vaporized fluid exits the boiler for use in various processes or heating applications, including water heating, centr ...

pumps A pump is a device that moves fluids (liquids or gases), or sometimes slurries, by mechanical action, typically converted from electrical energy into hydraulic energy. Pumps can be classified into three major groups according to the method they ...

and HVAC controls in a single pre-engineered package. This reduces complexity for the field installer and increases the simplicity of installation overall. Most chiller boiler packaged systems are designed for large residential and small commercial structures. A chiller boiler system is a

hydronic Hydronics () is the use of liquid water or gaseous water (steam) or a water solution (usually glycol with water) as heat-transfer medium in heating and cooling systems. The name differentiates such systems from oil and refrigerant systems. H ...

system. It uses water instead of air to heat and cool a structure. A properly designed hydronic system is usually more efficient than a standard forced air system.US Dept of Energy Consumer Guide
/ref> Chiller boiler systems use

radiant heating Radiant heating and cooling is a category of HVAC technologies that exchange heat by both convection and radiation with the environments they are designed to heat or cool. There are many subcategories of radiant heating and cooling, including: ...

and cooling or fan coil systems to condition a home or business. This allows for multiple zones (a thermostat in each living area of the house) for increased comfort and decreased energy use. Compared with air, water is a more space-efficient method of transferring heat around, into, and out of a building. A pipe of a given diameter can transfer heat at the same rate as an air duct with eighteen times the cross-section area and is much easier to install in small spaces.

References

{{reflist Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning