Vaillant is the 6th most popular energy and utility company on YouGov’s public opinion rankings. Does that mean the company’s heating solutions are the right choice for your home?
To help you answer this question, we put together this in-depth Vaillant heat pump review. We looked into the company’s history, product range, feature highlights, and even a few case studies.
Here’s what we found:
Vaillant: Company Overview
Let’s start with some background info about the company and it’s history.
History
Vaillant has been in business for about 150 years. It all started in 1874 when 23-year-old Johann Vaillant opened a small workshop in Remscheid. By 1995, the workshop (now a full-fledged company) had developed Thermoblock ecoTEC boilers.
However, Vaillant didn’t have a UK branch until 2001. Five years later, the company released its first heat pump, the geoTHERM. Today, Vaillant has a presence in more than 20 countries.
Product Range
We’ll review the top Vaillant heat pumps later in this article. But for now, let’s take a broader look at the company’s product range.
Vaillant makes the following heating solutions:
- Gas boilers (ecoTEC and ecoFIT lineups)
- Heat pumps
- Full-system solutions (heat pumps, boilers, and hybrids)
That said, some of Vaillant’s products are discontinued. Take, for instance, the geoTHERM and geoTHERM mini ground-source heat pumps.
Sustainability
Although Vaillant makes gas-powered boilers, the company still has a few green initiatives worth mentioning.
- The company partnered with SOS Children’s Villages in 2013 and provided the initiative with environmentally friendly heating technology.
- Plus, Vaillant Group is working with WWF to protect the climate through heat transition.
- By 2030, the company hopes to cut its CO2 emissions in half!
Vaillant Heat Pumps: Top 5 Features
Here’s what makes switching from boilers to Vaillant heat pumps more than worthwhile:
Low-Carbon Tech
Vaillant’s pumps rely heavily on freely available environmental heat. This means it can pull heat from the air, water, or the ground. The exact source will vary based on the model.
Regardless of the source, 75% of the generated heat is from environmental energy, and only 25% is provided by electricity.
Quiet Operation
About 18 of Vaillant’s pumps are Quiet Mark certified, which makes them a better fit for installation in terraces. You have to double-check the model, though. For instance, the 10 kW aroTHERM Plus model isn’t certified by Quiet Mark, even though the 3.5, 5, 7, and 12 kW models are accredited.
Smart Controls
The myVaillant app allows you to control your heating parameters and view the energy usage data. Just make sure you get the internet gateway and a sensoComfort (or VRC 700) control to set up the connection.
Extendable Guarantee
Vaillant’s heat pumps come with a standard guarantee of only two years, which doesn’t sound like much. However, you might be eligible for an extension (up to seven years total) if you work with an advance installer.
Long Lifespan
With proper maintenance, the heat pumps will usually last at least 20–25 years!
Comparing the Top 4 Vaillant Heat Pumps
Almost all Vaillant’s main heat pumps are air-source pumps, namely the aroTHERM Split, the aroTHERM Plus, and the base aroTHERM model.
However, there’s also the flexoTHERM pump, which can draw thermal energy from the air, ground, or water.
If it’s connected to a ground loop, it acts as a ground-source heat pump. But if you add an aroCOLLECT or a fluoCOLLECT, you can turn it into an air-source or a water-source model.
Here’s how the flexoTHERM model compares to the three air-source heat pumps:
| Model | aroTHERM | aroTHERM Plus | aroTHERM Split | flexoTHERM |
| Source | Air | Air | Air | Multi |
| Capacity | 5–15 kW | 3.5–12 kW | 3.5–12 kW | 5–19 kW |
| Refrigerant | R410A | R290 | R410A | R410A |
| DHW | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Max Flow Temp. | 63°C | 75°C | 55°C (63°C DHW) | 65°C |
| Min. Noise | 58 dB(A) | 54 dB(A) | 35 dB(A) | Under 50 dB(A) |
Full-System Heating Solutions From Vaillant
The outdoor heat pump units won’t function on their own. You need a full system.
Here are two options recommended by Vaillant:
The aroTHERM Plus System
While there are a few options in the aroTHERM lineup, the Plus model is considered top-of-the-line. It’s got a low noise level, high flow temperature, high SCoP value, and eco-friendly R290 refrigerant with an incredibly low Global Warming Potential (GWP) rating.
But to pair the company’s latest heat pump technology with smart, space-saving units, Vaillant recommends the aroTHERM Plus system.
This full-system solution includes:
- aroTHERM Plus heat pump
- uniSTOR domestic hot water cylinder
- myVaillant connect internet gateway
- sensoCOMFORT smart weather compensation control unit
The Hybrid System
If you’re not ready to ditch boilers altogether and rely on heat pumps 100%, you could opt for a hybrid solution.
To do that, set up an aroTHERM Plus pump with the smart home bundle (internet gateway and heating control kits). Then, integrate a wall-hung ecoTEC Plus boiler as a backup heating unit.
Case Studies of Vaillant’s Heat Pumps
Now that you have an idea about Vaillant’s products, you might be wondering how useful a heat pump can actually be.
Here are three real-life examples that highlight the use cases, performance, and savings:
Replacing Boiler Systems
An aroTHERM Plus heat pump was installed in a three-bedroom, ‘60s-built house to replace a boiler. The result? The homeowners managed to save 40% on their energy bills.
Replacing Direct Electric Heating Systems
Another aroTHERM Plus pump with solar PV was used in a detached cottage to replace an electric heating system. Not only was the system quiet, but it also helped cut down the costs by around 66%.
Using Both Heat Pumps and Boilers
In one case, a 10kW (A++ ErP rated) aroTHERM Split pump was installed to replace an outdated combi boiler in a four-bedroom property. The pump alone could provide all the heat the family needed.
However, an ecoTEC Plus gas Boiler was added as a supportive heating system. It would also help bring the temperature up quickly during particularly cold winters.
Final Thoughts
Are you still unsure about Vaillant’s products or which is most suitable for your needs? Get in touch with our team to find out which (if any) heat pump solution is best for your home.