Vaillant first full-range supplier for combined heat and power in the small output range

• Efficient technologies for saving resources and protecting the environment
• Micro-CHP system for family houses completes ecoPOWER series
• New: ecoPOWER Service-Wunder for CHP customers

Frankfurt-on-Main/Remscheid, 15 March 2011 – The Remscheid-based heating, ventilation and air-conditioning technology specialist Vaillant is presenting resource-sparing, environment-friendly and highly efficient technologies at the International Sanitary and Heating Fair (ISH) in Frankfurt-on-Main. A special focus is on combined heat and power (CHP) systems for the buildings sector. Product innovations in heat pumps and condensing technology, software solutions for planners and installers, and the consistent expansion of Vaillant service offers for installers and customers are additional focal points of the Vaillant exhibition.

"In the debate on using energy in a way that is as resource-saving as possible, the use of small combined heat and power systems in the buildings sector is currently the predominant topic," says Dr Carsten Voigtländer, CEO of the Vaillant Group. "Micro- and mini-CHP systems enable a decentral generation of heat and electricity at the point of consumption. This is one of the most efficient solutions for the energy supply of buildings, especially including millions of older existing housing stock."

Besides saving resources, decentral CHP systems bring about a substantial reduction of greenhouse gases. This is due to the fact that CHP systems use the applied primary energy for a double purpose, replacing the inefficient electricity production in large power stations. That is why the technology is classed with renewable energies and supported by the Federal German government's environmental policy.

"The market for decentral combined heat and power stations is noticeably gaining momentum. Mainly, this is still expressed in intensified research and development activities. Vaillant is already a step ahead. We are presently the only major manufacturer and service provider to offer a comprehensive product range that covers CHP systems for use in small detached houses to larger businesses," Dr Voigtländer adds.

• A special highlight of the Vaillant exhibition is the official presentation of the ecoPOWER 1.0 micro-CHP system. With a small output of 1 kW electrical and 2.5 kW thermal, the system developed together with the Japanese engine manufacturer Honda is designed especially for use in single- and two-family houses. Vaillant is thus making a technology available that has long been lacking on the market. Due to its high electrical efficiency factor of 26.3 per cent, ecoPOWER 1.0 exceeds all comparable CHP systems in the small output range.
  
  
• With the 1.0 system, Vaillant is once again expanding its ecoPOWER series to cover a further CHP segment. The more powerful ecoPOWER 4.7 model is already successfully established in the market for more than ten years and in use in several thousand buildings. These are mainly larger blocks of flats and medium-sized business premises with a heat requirement of more than 45,000 kW a year. In 2009, a second model, ecoPOWER 3.0, was launched for buildings with an annual heat demand of 25,000 to 45,000 kW. Both mini-CHP systems are the only output-modulating CHPs of their class. Thus, their operators benefit from longer running times and a significantly greater production of electricity for their own needs.
  
  

Service-Wunder for ecoPOWER customers
For ecoPOWER customers, Vaillant is presenting its ecoPOWER Service-Wunder at the ISH 2011. Operators of CHP systems benefit from government allowances, tax reliefs, and can sell the electricity not used for their own needs. With the Service-Wunder, operators of an ecoPOWER of all output classes can have all permits, registrations, approvals and annually renewable applications for the commissioning and operation of their Vaillant CHP system prepared in time by Vaillant. The programme supplements the Vaillant Förder-Wunder with which the company ensures that customers can apply for the maximum of all available subsidies for their new Vaillant system.


Overview of the ISH product innovations
Besides combined heat and power, Vaillant product innovations are making a focal point of efficient solutions based on renewable energies and modern condensing technology.

• The world's first zeolite gas heat pump, zeoTHERM, is now available in an exclusive system version that comprises three solar vacuum tube collectors and a 400-litre capacity geoSTOR solar hot water storage cylinder for heat pumps. The unique hybrid system combines modern gas-fired condensing technology, solarthermics and the natural heat generating properties of the mineral zeolite. The overall efficiency factor of both the basic and exclusive system version has been increased further to 136 per cent.
  
  
• With its new condensing boiler icoVIT exclusiv, Vaillant points the way in the most economic use of the energy source oil. Aside from a two-stage fan burner that enables an efficient operation, and a further development of the tried-and-tested stainless steel smoothbore heat exchanger, the possibility of cascading has become a standard feature. This means that for the first time heat outputs of up to 70 kW can be achieved with an oil-fired condensing boiler.
  
  
• In order to integrate its heat pumps in future Smart Grids, Vaillant presents the prototype of a so-called Smart Box in a special highlight area. The Smart Box pro¬cesses price information from the power supplier and decides on the basis of the data when the heat pump for heat and hot water supply should go into operation. The objective is to reduce the operating costs by shifting the running time into a time window with lower electricity prices.
  
  

Software solutions for improved system design and planning
In addition to more product innovations, such as the completely reworked hot water heat pump geoTHERM VWL BM/2 and BB/2, the new calorMATIC controller generation and the geoSTOR solar hot water storage cylinder for heat pumps, Vaillant is also presenting new and improved software solutions for planners and installers.

• An enhanced version of planSOFT now allows for the construction of drinking water and buffer storage units. In addition, a programme for constructing heat pumps with regard to the statutory regulations of the German Technical Instructions on Noise Abatement for air/water heat pumps has been included. A ventilation calculation for observance of the rules of moisture protection for buildings when using a controlled ventilation is also possible. The software is available to all installer partners of the Remscheid company free of charge.
  
  
• Additionally, Vaillant offers with geoSOFT a new programme for planners and installers. The programme is suited to experienced heat pump specialists. Taking into account geothermal potentials, the software can compute all data relevant for an earth probe drilling – from the drilling depth to the temperature variations in the heat source.
  
  

Expansion of Vaillant services
The Commissioning Service of the Vaillant factory after-sales service has been extended. Besides the existing service for heat pumps, installer partners can now also use the Remscheid factory after-sales service for oil-fired condensing boilers and solar installations.

As part of TrainingAKTIV, Vaillant is further expanding its training offers for installer partners. A special focus is on the qualification of selected installer partners for the installation and commissioning of the ecoPOWER 1.0 micro-CHP system. The Remscheid company will also expand its offer of online training courses and implement specialised, manufacturer non-specific courses on industry topics and individual technologies.


Vaillant is presenting product innovations and service offers from 15 to 19 March 2011 at the ISH in Frankfurt, Hall 8.0, Stand B 93.

Contact
Dr Jens Wichtermann
Head of Corporate Communications
Vaillant Group
D-42850 Remscheid
Phone: +49 2191 18-2754
Fax: +49 2191 18-2895
Mobile: +49 175 2951810
jens.wichtermann@vaillant.de
www.vaillant.de